Joyce Little White Man is a quiet giant of spirit, an elder in the La¿ota tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Kyle, South Dakota. She has been a Waldorf teacher at the La¿ota Waldorf School (LWS) on and off for more than ten years, teaching La¿ota language, kindergarten, and first and second grades. She loves the La¿ota language deeply and works with fellow tribal members to restore and retain the language, now a moribund language. Once the native-speaking elders of the Lakota Nation pass, it's possible the language will die with them. Joyce was born into a La¿ota-speaking family and lived with her mother on Pine Ridge, visiting her father during school breaks. She attended the Oglala Lakota College and earned a degree in Early Childhood Education. She used her degree to teach at HeadStart for many years, then became involved as a board member of LWS. She attended a two-week introductory session on Waldorf education and was the first in that group to come forward with her determination to be trained to be a Waldorf teacher.

She faithfully attended classes in Waldorf education at LWS over the four-year program offered by Laurie and Tom Clark, Barbara Richardson, Patrice Maynard, and a few other presenters. In addition to her teaching, Joyce is a mentor to teachers, especially in kindergarten. She lives with her husband, Didier Dupont (Joyce writes his name "DDA"), on Pine Ridge. She has five children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild. This book was born of a lasting friendship between Joyce and Patrice Maynard, forged during the years of teacher preparation. It is their hope that this book will be used in Waldorf classes and help all teachers in North America to build a deeper understanding of the strength and beauty of the La¿ota language.