"The future of the northern Great Plains, 'Flyover Country' to some, and 'Next Year Country' to its farming and ranching stewards, will be shaped by our ability as a society to truly understand its social, agricultural, and ecological history and communities. The rich prose of this treatise is far deeper and broader than the namesake 'humble' creek of the title. This book about place and our relationships to it finds its center in generations fully lived on a west-central Montana ranch where both the land and its animals are 'kin.' Rich in metaphor, it stitches together history, memories, stories, and the wisdom of elders, authors, and philosophers. It asks of us that we (individually and collectively) recognize and inhabit our physical, cultural and imaginary landscapes and 'inscapes' to become aware, open, alive, whole. Perhaps in so doing, we may heal communities. Such healing is certainly needed in these times, across all fences (both real and metaphorical)."--Daniel Casey, retired coordinator of the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture.