Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities

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Zahn McClarnon is an award-winning film and television actor who has appeared in over 90 film and television productions including the critically acclaimed series “Fargo,” the award-winning series “Westworld,” and many others. A member of the Hunkpapa Lakota Tribe, McClarnon is an executive producer and lead actor in the AMC television series “Dark Winds,” and will make his directorial debut during the upcoming fourth season. “Dark Winds” is based on the Hillerman “Leaphorn & Chee” novel series, following two Navajo police officers in the 1970s Southwest investigating a string of seemingly unrelated crimes. McClarnon is also a graduate of Omaha Central High School.

A member of the Cheyenne and Mescalero Apache Tribal Nations, Bird Runningwater has had an illustrious producing career that includes Fancy Dance starring Lily Gladstone. Runningwater previously led the Sundance Institute’s commitment to indigenous filmmakers for 20 years. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and serves on the U.S. Library of Congress’ National Film Preservation Board. He also built and managed the private philanthropy of a Rockefeller family member focused on revitalizing indigenous languages in North America.

Co-chaired by Carol Wang and Beth Whited, this year’s Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities was the 30th consecutive year that Humanities Nebraska has brought an outstanding national speaker to Nebraska to give a free public talk on topics related to the humanities.

Prior to the free public conversation, the 2025 Sower Award in the Humanities was presented to Mary C. López, who has made a significant contribution to the public understanding of the humanities in Nebraska.

A benefit dinner to raise crucial funds for HN’s statewide work took place earlier in the evening. With recent major cuts to federal funding for all state humanities councils, event sponsors and other contributors enable HN to continue statewide programming in keeping with its mission to help people explore what connects us and makes us human.