Arts & Life

Much of history is an attempt to understand culture, and language is a window to culture like nothing else. So how can we understand the immigrants on the Northern Plains if we don’t speak their language? In the late 19th century, Germans left Europe in massive numbers and thousands settled in what is now South Dakota. What kind of culture did they bring with them? What kind of culture was created by them mixing with other cultures on the Northern Plains? German newspapers provide a great deal of insight on that and Istvan Gambocz has the rare talent to understand this aspect of South Dakota’s history. His article in the Fall 2021 South Dakota History won the Herbert S. Schell Prize for the best essay of the year.

More than 600 marks. A team of archaeologists has recorded every inscription on the stones that make up Fort Meade's old rifle range target wall.It's part of an effort to preserve the history of Fort Meade, which operated near Sturgis from 1878 until 1944.

The breaking of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty and the creation of several smaller reservations in western South Dakota is often thought to have been President Ulysses Grant’s intent. However, historian Mary Stockwell argues in her book that Grant attempted to pursue a different policy, which included citizenship for American Indians. But despite his wishes, he was unable to make that happen. Understanding his circumstances is key to understanding a great deal of South Dakota’s history. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mary Stockwell, the author of “Interrupted Odyssey: Ulysses S. Grant and the American Indians.”

This interview posted above is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.Only two episodes of the audio series remain. It is perhaps fitting that the final episodes deal with the Lakota language and its role in building a future for the oyate.Today, there are an estimated 2,000 speakers of Lakota. Richard Moves Camp explains why it is important to keep the language alive.

The Crazy Horse Memorial begins its 2022 Cultural Programming season Memorial Day weekend.

The Minneapolis Police Department. A FRONTLINE and "Star Tribune" investigation explores the history of heavy-handed policing in the Twin Cities. What does accountability look like?

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra reached national audiences after an esteemed music critic featured the ensemble in The New Yorker.

Each month, SDPB shines a spotlight on a specific topic. This month, we examine Title IX. It's fifty years old this summer. The federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools that receive federal funding.

South Dakota Mines in Rapid City held its commencement ceremony earlier this month. The guest of honor was Billy Mills. He won the Olympic Gold medal in the 10,000-meter race in 1964.

The Washington Pavilion and Augustana School of Music will partner to lead the Sioux Falls Municipal Band after Bandmaster Christopher Hill's retirement.

The 50th commemoration of the 1972 Black Hills Flood is June 9. It’s a time to honor the 238 people who died, and it also brings a flood of memories for those who survived. Each week between now and June 9, SDPB is sharing stories from those survivors, in their own words.

The statue stolen from downtown Sioux Falls’ SculptureWalk is in police custody as evidence. No suspects have been identified.

Marine Corps veteran and author Phil Klay challenges Americans to think about citizenship during a time of endless, invisible wars.