Cheryl Minnema (Waabaanakwadookwe) is a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. She was born in Minneapolis and raised on the Mille Lacs Reservation. Along with writing children’s literature and poetry, she creates Ojibwe floral beadwork and nature photography. JOHNNY'S PHEASANT is based on Cheryl’s memories of her childhood on the Mille Lacs reservation in Minnesota.