In this free presentation by State Historical Society of North Dakota staff member Keith Smith, he examines circumstances that led to approval of the Sioux Act of 1889 and following events. Through this lens, attendees can explore broader implications for the well-being of Native American communities and the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized populations around the world.
"By drawing connections between 19th-century policy and today’s political climate, attendees are invited to consider how history can inform modern approaches to advocacy, negotiation, and collective well-being," Smith said.
The Sioux Act of 1889 divided the Great Sioux Reservation into six reservations and opened about 9 million acres of former reservation land for non-Native settlement.