Laurel Goodluck is Mandan, Hidatsa from the prairies of North Dakota, and Tsimshian from the rainforest in Alaska. She now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her Diné husband, where they raised two children also bent on storytelling in journalism and acting. Belonging to an intertribal family is at the heart of her stories, encouraging children to realize their cultural experiences are unique and powerful perspectives to explore and celebrate.
Her award-winning debut picture book, Forever Cousins, is followed by five more picture books with heartwarming, humorous, or conceptual themes, including Rock Your Mocs (2023), Too Much, My Great Big Native Family (2024), Fierce Aunties (2025), Yáadilá, Good Grief (2025), Stories are the Heart of the World (2026). She also wrote She Persisted: Deb Haaland (2023), her first chapter book.
Laurel received a BA in Psychology and an MA in Community Counseling and Family Studies from the University of New Mexico. She began writing by crafting curriculum for community advocacy involving Native teen leadership and later for children newly diagnosed with mental health challenges.
“Laurel Goodluck’s tour of North Dakota was a delightful experience, and her book Forever Cousins beautifully captured the region’s essence. Laurel’s skills as a presenter were remarkable; her ability to engage the audience and bring the stories to life was truly captivating. She is a talented writer, and Laurel is a joy to work with. Every interaction showed her professionalism, warmth, and genuine passion for her work. I highly recommend booking Laurel Goodluck and experiencing the magic she creates firsthand.” — Breanna Gerhardt, Humanities North Dakota, 2023
