Search results for

During the “dirty thirties,” Earl Neller took six children hitch hiking 850 miles from Sioux Falls, to the Black Hills and then to Hebron, North Dakota.

How can political candidates win in South Dakota? To answer that, one has to know something about the state's complicated political culture, traditions, and voting habits. Some of those answers can be found in our just-released book, "Plains Political Traditions," edited by Jon Lauck and Paula Nelson.

On this edition of History 605, we speak to author April White who brings us back to the high society of the Sioux Falls’ Cataract Hotel and how it became the place where certain women from the east coast could escape a bad marriage.

In today's episode, we discuss Akim's book, "Ruling Pine Ridge: Oglala Lakota Politics from the IRA to Wounded Knee" published by Texas Tech University Press.

How did George S. Mickelson come from behind to become Governor of South Dakota? In this episode of History 605 we speak to Paul Wilson who worked on Mickelson's campaign staff for both the 1986 and 1990 campaigns for Governor. His use of short but effective commercials speaking to voters and focused campaigning in selected parts of the state won the election for Mickelson. Wilson also crafted the 1990 State of the State address Mickelson introduced the Year of Reconciliation. The episode is based on Wilson's essay in the coming Plains Political Traditions, Vol 4, edited by Jon Lauck and Paula Nelson.

How did South Dakota's state Constitution come together? What is the state's basic law? How did South Dakota become the first state in the nation to enshrine the popular referendum and how often have the people used this power? In this episode of History 605, Dr. Jones discusses the state's constitution with the former South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson. His expertise in the state and tribal law make for a great conversation. To read the hand written original constitution, see this link at the State Archives: https://sddigitalarchives.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/government/id/751/rec/1

In this episode, we speak with Historian Sean Flynn from Dakota Wesleyan University about his biography on Ben Reifel. How does a boy born into poverty on the Rosebud Reservation become a man who advocates for Indian education and an Indian policy that is, "Without Reservation"? I hope you'll join us for this discussion on how one South Dakota leader sought to manage the challenges of two different cultures. Sean Flynn's book is available here: https://sdhspress.com/books/without-reservation

Dakota Territory was settled by thousands of Civil War veterans. As Dr. Jones discusses with History 605 guest, USD Provost, and Professor Kurt Hackmer, those vets had a higher rate of combat experiences than the typical Civil War veteran. While the details are murky due to having no medical terminology at that time for conditions such as PTSD, many of those who experienced a great deal of combat dealt with it in interesting ways for the rest of their lives.

With Veteran's Day in view, Dr. Jones speaks with filmmaker John Mollison about what he's learned about character from veteran aviators or, as he says, "old guys and their airplanes." John is the recipient of the SD Governor's Award for History and his documentary films of WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans are made with K-12 audiences in mind. John has produced very effective "educator kits" about these aviators' actions. We also discussed their views on character, courage, and service. For more information about John Mollison's work go to: DFCSociety.org or JohnMollison.com.

Special Edition: We’re pleased to have the exhibit, “No Child’s Play” come to Sioux Falls and Rapid City in the first two weeks of November 2021.