44th Annual Neihardt Spring Conference “Twilight of the Sioux: From the Indian Wars to Wounded Knee” (Read More)
The conference theme this year is inspired by the 100th anniversary of the publication of The Twilight of the Sioux. Published as a combination of the last two chapters (or songs) of John Neihardt's book "A Cycle of the West," the book "Twilight of the Sioux" addresses the tragedy experienced by Plains Indians in the "Song of the Indian Wars" and "Song of the Messiah." The former tells of the period of migration and the last great fight for the bison pastures between the invading white race and the Plains Indians (1854-1890), and the latter addresses the conquered people and the worldly end of their great dream, closing with the battle of Wounded Knee (1890). The historical events that Neihardt wrote about changed the United States in innumerable and fundamental ways. Using his writing as the framework and centering Native American experts as speakers, this conference will spark discussion by broadening perspectives and considering the long-term impact of how history is framed. Tickets are required, and the price ranges from $15-$35, depending on student/member status and the inclusion of lunch. Click here for more information, and to purchase tickets. Topics and speakers include: Incorporating and Engaging Native Histories on Public Lands, Broc Anderson, M.A., Director of Historic Sites for the Nebraska State Historical Society The Act and Impact of Crazy Horse's Death at Ft. Robinson, Sandy Wounded Arrow, M.A., Site Director, Ft. Robinson Nebraska State Historic Site Lakota Oral Tradition in “Black Elk Speaks,” Delphine Red Shirt, PhD, Stanford University “The Oregon Trail” and Native Representation on the Plains, Margaret Huettl, PhD, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh NAGPRA - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Calvin Harlan, Acting Deputy Chief, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Moderator: Nancy Gillis
Contact Information
Title: Email: Phone: Website: City:
The Pawnee People of Butler County Nebraska (Read More)
This event is the first of a series of four "History Comes Alive in 2025" events sponsored by the Butler County Historical Society in partnership with people across the county. The original occupants of what would become Butler County were the Pawnee People. To truly understand their culture, the BCHS is bringing in experts. We will be honored to have Matt Reed of Pawnee, Oklahoma, the historic preservation officer for the Pawnee People; Broc Anderson, the Director of Historic Sites for the Nebraska State Historical Society; Nancy Carlson is an archeologists and works with the Genoa Indian School. These three people will discuss the history and culture of the Pawnee. Artifacts donated to the Depot Museum in the early ‘70s by Alfred Tichacek will be on display. This is a free event and a free bottle of water and a kolache will be available for attendees. This evening program will be filmed and put on the BCHS YouTube Channel. The Event Center is offering an open bar for after the program, and people are welcome to stay and visit with each other and the speakers. Matt Reed is currently the Trical HIstorical Preservation Officer for the Pawnee Nation in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Matt attended Oklahoma State University where the graduated in 1996 with a B.A. in History and in 1998 with an M.A. in Applied History. Nancy Carlson has a master's degree in anthropology/archaeology. She was a charter member of the Genoa US Indian Boarding School Foundation and has worked with the Pawnee on various projects. Broc Anderson is the Director of Historic Sites for the Nebraska State Historical Society and will speak about the Pawnee Scouts. Future events in the series include: June 16 - History of the Butler County Fair October 6 - Cemeteries of Butler County December 1 - Roads, Rails, and Sod Houses
The 2023 Pilster Great Plains Lecture & Sandoz Symposium will take place Sept. 28-30 on the campus of Chadron State College in Chadron. The Friday Symposium requires a $40 registration before September 15. Visit the host website to register and for more information. Mari Sandoz, 1896-1966, is celebrated for her histories of the Native Americans and homesteaders living on the High Plains. While Ms. Sandoz lived and wrote in Lincoln, Denver and New York City, the subject comprising the bulk of her work was the place and the people of the High Plains where she had been born and raised, where she centered her research and gained insights into the events and personalities that populate her histories. This event will look at the High Plains and its natural and human history in hopes to create increased interest in looking more deeply into this history and attendees own local or regional stories both individually and in group settings. Speakers at the Friday symposium include: Donovin Sprague: "Preservation of Native American Culture and History Today" Broc Anderson, Christine Ambrose, Phyllis Krotz, and Harlan Wheeler: PANEL DISCUSSION: "Preserving Local History in Sandoz Country" Renee Laegreid, Mari Clai Jones, Markus Jones, and Matt Evertson, Ph.D.: PANEL DISCUSSION: "High Plains Writers/Writing" Tony Malmberg, Cattle Rancher and Holistic Grasslands Manager, Union, OR: “High Plains Grasslands: Enhancing Livestock Production in an Ancient Ecosystem” Michael Leite, Steven Rolfsmeier, and Teresa Frink: PANEL DISCUSSION: “The High Plains: Climate, Flora and Fauna, Past, Present, Future”
Contact Information
Title: Email: Phone: Website: City:
Friday Oregon-California Trails Association Convention Speakers (Read More)
The Oregon-California Trails Association and the Nebraska Chapter of OCTA present the “We Do Old In A New Way” convention in Gering. The convention will focus on the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express National Historic Trails across Nebraska’s panhandle and eastern Wyoming (including the corridor’s usage by American Indians for thousands of years prior to usage by emigrants). The speakers at the Gering Civic Center on Friday, July 28, are free and open to the public. 9:00 am Brian and Colin Croft – Map Presentation 10:00 am Broc Anderson – Trails & Rails 11:00 am Kylie McCormick – Marking the Trail Along the Nebraska/Wyoming Border 1:00 pm Cindy Pierce and Gina Rhoads – The Captive Lucinda Eubanks 2:00 pm Cody Assmann – Oshkosh Fur Trade 3:00 pm Scott Alumbaugh – Bikepacking the Pony Express Trail 4:00 pm Jeff Broome – The Fletcher Sisters 1865 Indian Captivity near Rock Creek Station For information about the full convention, visit the convention website.
