Sandoz Conference to explore Custer and Sandoz

The seminar is open to anyone and registration is required. The deadline for early registration is Sept. 30 and a $15 late fee will be added for registrations after that date. Conference registration includes refreshments, education sessions, conference materials and lunch.

Sandoz’s book explores the experiences of George Armstrong Custer and his men during the Indian Wars era. Conference sessions will examine this well-studied topic and analyze Sandoz’s contribution to the topic, experiences of Custer’s family, examine Native American views and asses Custer’s legacy objectively.

Co-sponsored by the Dawes Country Travel Board, the two-day conference begins Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. with Hutton, professor of history at University of New Mexico, and his Pilster Lecture “Mari Sandoz, Custer and the Indian Wars.” Hutton is a distinguished professor who is widely published in both scholarly and popular magazines, a five-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award and has published numerous books.

Admission is free to Hutton’s Pilster Lecture, which will be followed by audience questions, refreshments and book signings.

Oct. 14 will include three conference sessions and two panel discussions in the Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Chicoine Atrium starting with Dr. Kent Blansett at 9 a.m.

Blansett, a professor of history and Native American studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha, will discuss Sandoz’s stance on America’s involvement in the Vietnam War, as well as her contributions to Native American history.

The 10 a.m. session will be led by Dr. Elaine Marie Nelson, professor of history at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Nelson will discuss Sandoz’s manuscript of “Battle of the Little Bighorn,” and how it became one of the most arduous tasks of her career as a writer.

The third conference session begins at 11 a.m. and is hosted by Dan McGlynn. McGlynn has been on the Sandoz board of directors for over 20 years and will be reviewing a book about George Armstrong Custer’s Younger brother, Tom Armstrong, titled, “The Better Brother.”

After a luncheon, the first panel discussion, “Teaching Custer” begins at 1:45 p.m. and will be moderated by Dr. Kinly Hadden, a Sandoz Society Board Member.

The second panel discussion begins at 3 p.m. and will be moderated by Holly Boomer, also a Sandoz Society Board Member.

For more information on speakers and schedule visit online.