John G. Neihardt (1881–1973) is the author of several classics, including Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition and Eagle Voice Remembers, both available in Bison Books editions. He was named Nebraska’s first poet laureate. Joe Green is a retired English teacher and member of the John G. Neihardt Foundation Board of Directors.¿Alan Birkelbach is the 2005 Poet Laureate of Texas.¿He is the author of eleven books of poetry and winner of the 2015 Spur Award for Best Western Poem from the Western Writers of America. ¿ ¿ ¿