Teresa Peterson, author of Perennial Ceremony: Lessons and Gifts from a Dakota Garden
Memoir & Creative Nonfiction Category, sponsored by Bradshaw Celebration of Life Centers
Each week leading up to the 37th annual Minnesota Book Awards, we are featuring exclusive interviews with our finalists. You can also watch the authors in conversation with their fellow category finalists here.
What inspired you to write this book – or inspired you while writing it?
How Mother Earth, Creator and all of creation is right there for me, for us, ready to teach us, lift us up, console, nurture, sustain us. Every day is an opportunity for that connection and support us in our healing and wellness. I never ran out of material to be inspired by.
What is one detail you wanted to include in this book, but couldn’t find a place for?
I remember towards the end of writing the book, I was curiously listening and tracking a Cope’s gray treefrog and wanted to include a deep dive on frogs and environmental health. With Editor Erik’s compassionate encouragement, the frog at least made an honorable mention in the book’s introduction.
Tell us about someone (whose name isn’t on the cover!) who proved instrumental to the creation of this book.
My dad! The experience of growing up on a small hog farm, where we all worked our hinders off provided an immeasurable learning environment. My dad was still teaching me up until his passing – his deep reverence for the land, for growing our own food, and in the sharing with family and friends.
Please tell us something about yourself that is not widely known. (It doesn’t have to be about the book in question – or even about your writing at all!)
I rise and go to bed smiling.
Share your thoughts about the role and value of libraries.
Libraries are an underrated treasure. I remember when people were predicting that books and newspapers were going to go away. What a sad day that would’ve been! There’s just something about holding a book in your hands and reading life’s never ending story. And oh gosh, librarians – they’re brilliant, helpful and kind.
Teresa Peterson, Utuhu Cistiŋna Wiŋ, is Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and a citizen of the Upper Sioux Community. She is the author of the children’s book Grasshopper Girl, and, with her uncle Walter LaBatte Jr., of Voices from Pejuhutazizi: Dakota Stories and Storytellers.