Kent Nerburn

Kent Nerburn is an award-winning author whose work explores themes of spirituality, cultural understanding, and the human condition. With seventeen published books, he is best known for his acclaimed trilogy—"Neither Wolf nor Dog," "The Wolf at Twilight," and "The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo"—which bridges Native and non-Native perspectives. His writing has earned recognition, including Minnesota Book Awards and the distinction of being named South Dakota Book of the Year. Nerburn's works have been embraced by readers worldwide and selected for numerous community reading programs.

Nerburn's career reflects a lifelong pursuit of authentic American spirituality, blending Western traditions with Indigenous wisdom. Before becoming a writer, he spent two decades as a sculptor, crafting large-scale wooden figures, and later worked with Ojibwe elders to preserve tribal stories. His academic background includes advanced degrees in Religion and Art, complemented by extensive travels across Europe and North America. Often described as a "guerilla theologian," Nerburn approaches his subjects with empathy, focusing on shared humanity rather than division.

Residing near the Minnesota-Canadian border, Nerburn remains dedicated to storytelling as a means of fostering connection and understanding. Inspired by Sitting Bull's call to "put our minds together" for future generations, he continues to write with a quiet yet profound commitment to spiritual and cultural dialogue. His work resonates with readers of all ages, reflecting his belief in kindness, humility, and the transformative power of stories.
Neither Wolf Nor Dog Books
# Title Year
1 Neither Wolf Nor Dog 2002
2 The Wolf at Twilight 2009
3 The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo 2013
Collections
# Title Year
1 Small Graces 1998
2 Simple Truths 2005
3 The Hidden Beauty of Everyday Life 2006
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Letters to My Son 1993
2 A Haunting Reverence: Meditations on a Northern Land 1996
3 Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace 1999
4 The Wisdom of the Native Americans 1999
5 Calm Surrender 2000
6 Road Angels 2001
7 Chief Joseph & the Flight of the Nez Perce 2005
8 Ordinary Sacred 2012
9 Native Echoes 2016
10 Voices in the Stones 2016
11 Dancing with the Gods 2018