Cheyenne Nation is topic of 2021 Great Plains book prize lecture

Author Leo Killsback will speak about his prize-winning books on the Cheyenne Nation at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Center for Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St.

Killsback won the 2021 Stubbendieck Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize for his two-volume set “A Sacred People: Indigenous Governance, Traditional Leadership and the Warriors of the Cheyenne Nation” and “A Sovereign People: Indigenous Nationhood, Traditional Law and the Covenants of the Cheyenne Nation” (Texas Tech University Press, 2020).

The Center for Great Plains Studies’ Stubbendieck book prize celebrates the most outstanding work about the Great Plains during the past year, chosen by an independent group of scholars.

Killsback is an associate professor in the Department of Native American Studies at Montana State University who specializes in Indigenous governance, traditional law, sovereignty and treaty rights. He grew up on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and is devoted to the preservation and resurgence of Cheyenne language and culture.

Killsback will also receive the book prize medallion and $10,000 cash prize during the free public event. The event will comply with all University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Lincoln-Lancaster County COVID-19 guidelines. The talk will be recorded and posted online afterward.

Due to construction and closed crosswalks, visitors to the center should approach the front entrance from the south along 12th Street. The north Que Place stairwell sidewalk is closed at Q street. The corner of 12th and Q streets is closed from the north.

The event is part of the Paul A. Olson Great Plains lecture series. Books will be available for purchase during the event. For more information, click here.