"The more you understand your brother, the more you can speak with him and appreciate his culture, heritage and social system," said Ken Thomasma '53. This was the impetus for Thomasma's nine children's books on Native Americans.

Thomasma began writing his books in the late 1970s after moving from Grand Rapids, Mich., to Jackson, Wyo., to concentrate on his writing.

" I didn't start writing my first book until then, but it was in my head for a long time before that," said Thomasma, who spent 34 years as a teacher and school administrator.

He first learned of Naya Nuki, the subject of his first book, in the 1960s and decided then that her story had to be told.

"I had a lot of experience in storytelling and I thought that her life had all of the ingredients of a great story," he said.

In this book, published in 1983 by Baker Books, Thomasma tells the story of an 11-year-old Indian girl who is captured, escapes and then travels more than 1,000 miles across the American wilderness beating all odds to return home safely.

Since that time Thomasma, a three-time winner of the Wyoming State Children's Book Award, has written eight more books on Indian children including the non-fiction account of Sacagewea, captured with Naya Nuki and a leader in the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s.

The book, The Truth about Sacagawea (Grandview Publishing Co., 1997) and Thomasma have gained national attention recently because of the United States Mint's decision to feature Sacagawea on the new golden dollar coin, which was released into general circulation earlier this year.

Thomasma was influential in the selection of the image of Sacagawea for the coin. When the U.S. Treasury Department asked for nominations, Thomasma sent in his book and started a letter writing campaign encouraging people to seriously consider Sacagawea.

Sacagawea is mentioned 73 times in the Lewis and Clark Journals and is credited with not only saving the Journals from floating down the river at one point, but also with saving the entire expedition by negotiating a trade for horses with her people, the Shoshone Indians, that enabled the party to cross the Bitterroot Mountains. She accomplished all of this with her newborn son in tow.

"What she did is really unbelievable," said Thomasma. "This girl is a role model for any teenager."

Thomasma is especially pleased about her being featured on the coin because of its many firsts.

"It is the only coin in the history of the world with a teenager mother and her child on it," he said. "It is also the only coin to feature an identifiable Indian person and her contributions to history certainly make her deserving of that."

Native Americans in his area are pleased with the recognition. "Most realize that this is a great thing for all Indian people and especially Indian women," he said. "They have really been celebrating this coin."

The coin replaces the Susan B. Anthony dollar, but is larger, gold and has a smooth edge. It began making its way into the marketplace in late January.

Thomasma's book The Truth about Sacagawea is available at most bookstores, through internet booksellers and from Grandview Publishing Co. at 1-800-525-7344. Those contacting the publisher directly will also receive a complimentary uncirculated Sacagawea golden dollar coin with purchase of a book.

Thomasma's eight other books are also available. For more information see www.biggerthanthat.com/kthomasma.htm

—Lynn Bolt Rosendale

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