An Adult Book Club | Mikołaj (Unsplash)
An Adult Book Club | Mikołaj (Unsplash)
A special edition of History at High Noon will feature “Native Women's Voices in ‘Calling for a Blanket Dance’” on Thursday, February 16 from 12:05 to 12:45 p.m. at the Sioux City Public Museum. Attendees are invited to bring their lunch to this free presentation.
Presented in partnership with the Sioux City Public Library, the program features a different perspective on the critically acclaimed book, “Calling for a Blanket Dance” by Oscar Hokeah. The title was selected as the 2023 Sioux City Reads book, a community-based reading initiative. Presenter Nancy S. Gillis will explore how the female characters of three cultures struggle to recreate an interconnected community to bring about healing for both an individual and his family after nearly four decades of trauma; both external and self-imposed. Please note: This presentation will NOT be available online.
Gillis was the former Executive Director of the John Neihardt State Historic Site from March 1997 to July 2019.She continues presenting to schools and civic groups on Neihardt’s work and a variety of related topics such as Native American history, cultures, and education. She also served on the faculty of Wayne State College, Northeast Community College, Nebraska Indian Community College, and Little Priest Tribal College from 1990 through 2017 teaching History, Anthropology, Sociology, and honors courses on Neihardt’s life and work.
Of Cherokee and Choctaw heritage, Gillis moved to Winnebago, Nebraska in 1987 to work with the Winnebago people for the Reformed Church in America and has served as their delegate to its Native American Council. She stays active in various civic organizations, currently or previously serving on the board of the Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte Hospital Board, State of Nebraska Historical Preservation Office, Nebraska Folklife Network, Atlas of Winnebago, and the Walthill Village Planning Commission.
The Sioux City Public Museum is located at 607 4th Street in downtown Sioux City. Admission is free. For more information, call 712-279-6174 or visit SiouxCityMuseum.org.
Original source can be found here.
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