Created with the Smithsonians National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Tales of the People is a series of childrens books celebrating Native American culture with illustrations and stories by Indian artists and writers. In addition to the tales themselves, each book also offers four pages filled with information and photographs exploring various aspects of Native culture, including a glossary of words in different Indian languages.

Brave Wolf and the Thunderbird is based on a story recounted by Joe Medicine Crow in All Roads Are Good: Native Voices on Life and Culture (Smithsonian Institution Press and NMAI). Grandson of a scout who rode with Custer, Mr. Medicine Crow is a highly respected elder, storyteller, and historian of the Crow people. The first member of his tribe to graduate from college, he earned an M.A. in anthropology. A World War II combat veteran, teacher, writer, and lecturer, Mr. Medicine Crow lives in his native Montana.

Linda R. Martin (Navajo), who lives in Tempe, Arizona, is communications manager at Atlatl, Inc., a national service organization for Native American arts. She holds a B.F.A. in graphic design from Arizona State University, where she was active in organizations dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and academic success of Native Americans.