Buffalo in spotlight at Sandoz Society conference
Buffalo will be in the spotlight at the annual conference of the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society April 15-17 at Chadron State College. All sessions will be in the new Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center. The public is welcome to participate in all the events
The conference will focus on Sandoz’ 1954 book, “The Buffalo Hunters: Stories of the Hide Men,” one of the six books in the author’s Great Plains Series.
Opening the conference at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15 will be Dr. Elliott West, distinguished professor of history at the University of Arkansas. He has written several books, including “The Rush to Colorado.” His lecture is titled “Bison R Us: The Buffalo as an American Icon.”
Friday’s program will feature panels on buffalo history, bison ranching and discussions of Sandoz’ “Buffalo Hunters” and other works. In addition, Dan O’Brien, a South Dakota rancher and author, will have a book reading and signing. Among his books is a non-fiction work, “Buffalo for the Broken Heart: Restoring Life to a Black Hills Ranch.”
At the banquet Friday evening, Ron Hull of Lincoln will receive the Spirit of Mari Sandoz Award for his dedication to fostering the work and heritage of Mari Sandoz. Hull has been associated with Nebraska ETV for many years and has been president of the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society for more than 15 years. He was a close friend of the author and will give his reminiscences of her during the banquet.
On Saturday, guests may meet at the Heritage Center at 8:30 a.m. for an automobile convoy to the RimRock Ranch northwest of Crawford, where T.R. and Kay Hughes raise buffalo.
Additional details about the conference, as well as online registration services, can be found on the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society website at www.marisandoz.org.
Category: Campus News, Sandoz Society