For the first five years of her life, Barbara Elk was raised on Sioux Valley reserve in Manitoba, Canada by her strong Dakota mother along with her six siblings. Her tumultuous young life is the inspiration for many of her fictional stories. She has discovered over the years to utilize her sardonic humor and positive attitude as a way to emotionally and mentally survive the many upheavals in her life, including the traumatic, forced separation from her loving family for many years.

Barbara speaks on a range of issues relating to Native and non-Natives;

• Domestic Abuse
• A child of the infamous Sixties Scoop in Canada
• Adoption

Through the support and encouragement from her husband and the many fantastic and intriguing friends she has been blessed to have, Barbara has realized how important it is for everyone to share the talent given to them by the Creator, whether it be through painting, drawing, dancing, sewing, writing, etc.

“Whatever you have been gifted with by the Creator, do it to the best of your ability, because there’s no one else who can express it like you can.”

Through her writings, Barbara hopes that people, who read her stories will become aware of the issues addressed in her writings, are strengthened by them and will understand that drastic changes need to be done within our society to make the world a safer and better place for everyone.

Currently, Barbara lives outside of Philadelphia with her two amazing children, Samantha and Jack, her three wonderful stepchildren, CJ, Nathan and Jillian, and her supportive husband, John.