The first treaty that was made was between the earth and the sky. It was an agreement to work together. We build all of our treaties on that original treaty. On the banks of the river that have been Mishomis' home his whole life, he teaches his granddaughter to listen to hear both the sounds and the silences, and so to learn her place in Creation. Most importantly, he teaches her about treaties -- the bonds of reciprocity and renewal that endure for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.

"Adapted from "Treaty words - for as long as the rivers flow," by Aimée Craft, originally published in ndncountry Fall 2018, Vol. 41 No.2 by Prairie Fire Press and Contemporary Verse 2."--Title page verso.