Sandoz seminar focuses on Crazy Horse

| Saturday, February 24, 2007

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This year’s Mari Sandoz Heritage Society’s conference will focus on Mari Sandoz’ 1942 historical biography, “Crazy Horse, Strange Man of the Oglalas.”

The conference will be Thursday through Saturday, March 29-31, at Chadron (Neb.) State College, home of the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center.

Each year, the Sandoz Society meets to celebrate and study the works and themes of Nebraska-born author Mari Sandoz.

“Crazy Horse” has been selected as the featured book for the 2007 celebration of One Book One Nebraska. Some critics proclaim it as the author’s finest work.

The book is described as more than a description of the life of an individual. It also is an in-depth look at the culture and spirituality of the Oglala Sioux.

An added feature at this year’s conference will be a limited enrollment pre-conference presentation by Sandoz Center archivist Susan Rolfsmeier. On Thursday, March 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., participants will have a chance to look at the center’s holdings and find out what the archivist is learning and recommending.

Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., William Bauer of the University of Wyoming will give the keynote address, “Remembering Indians: American Indian Biographies.” Bauer’s address will be in the Chadron State College Student Center and will be open to the public free of charge.

Numerous sessions are planned for Friday dealing with Chief Crazy Horse and Indian wars.

The speakers will include Jerome Greene of the National Park Service in Colorado, “A Military Perspective on the Great Sioux War 1876-1877;” Kimberly Lee of Michigan State University, “Braiding the Rope;” Ephraim Dickson of the Utah State Museum, “A House Divided: Oglala Politics During the Great Sioux War, 1876-1877;” and Rebecca Pasco of the University of Nebraska-Omaha, “Crazy Horse in Juvenile Literature.”

Members of the Crazy Horse family are expected to participate in the program, and students from University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Chadron State will present original papers on their work related to Crazy Horse on Friday.

After dinner Friday evening, an exhibit being developed by the Sandoz Center staff, titled “Crazy Horse: A Photographic Biography,” will be available for viewing. Other highlights will include selected readings from “Crazy Horse” and the presentation of the Spirit of Mari Sandoz Award.

A tour of sites in the area that were important in the life of Crazy Horse is tentatively planned for Saturday morning.

Registration for the conference is available through the society’s Web site at www.marisandoz.org or by calling the center at 1-308-432-6066.

— By Journal staff