Word Sender
Lakota holy man Black Elk’s description of the Poet
Volume 49, Number 2
John G. Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
Spring/Summer 2016
Vision in Bronze to Become Reality with Herb Mignery
A long-time dream is about to become true in a
“poet’s town” of 500 people.
On Sunday, August 7th, two bronze statues will
be dedicated in Bancroft depicting John G. Neihardt,
the Poet Laureate in Perpetuity of Nebraska, and
Nicholas Black Elk, the Oglala Lakota holy man whose
story was told in Neihardt’s book, “Black Elk Speaks.”
Crafted by artist Herb Mignery, the sculptures will
be unveiled on the grounds of the John G. Neihardt
State Historic Site during the 51st annual Neihardt Day
celebration.
Raised on a ranch near Bartlett, Nebraska,
Mignery is an award-winning artist and member of
the National Sculpture Society and Cowboy Artists of
America. A graduate of Wayne State College, he
works out of his studio in Loveland, Colorado.
A sculpture had been envisioned to greet visitors
at the historic site since it opened in 1976, but it
wasn’t until 2003
that the Neihardt
Foundation began
fundraising in earnest. A total of
$155,000 has been
raised towards the
goal of $175,000
to cover sculpture
expenses as fundraising continues.
The bronze
sculptures depict
Neihardt taking
notes from conversations with Black
Elk on the Pine
Ridge Indian
Herb Mignery created the sculptures to
Reservation in
be unveiled at the Neihardt Day
celebration in Bancroft on August 7th. 1931.
Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
Their meetings
resulted in Neihardt’s
book, “Black Elk
Speaks,” which tells of
Black Elk’s incredible
life experiences during
the era of the American
Indian Wars of the late
19th century, from the
Battle of the Little Big
Horn to the Wounded
Knee Massacre.
Mignery’s work is
based on Neihardt’s
photograph of Black Elk
as he prayed at Harney
Peak, the sacred site of
his Great Vision, as
detailed in the book.
Bronze sculptures of Neihardt and
Neihardt also penned
Black Elk will soon greet visitors to
“Black Elk’s Prayer,” in
the Neihardt State Historic Site.
honor of the holy man.
The sculptures intend to show the spiritual connection between the two men. Black Elk had rejected
overtures from other writers, but he was impressed
with Neihardt and chose him as the “Word Sender”
sent to preserve his story. He also adopted Neihardt
as a relative through Lakota ceremony.
During his time as a resident of Bancroft, Neihardt
began writing “A Cycle of the West” – his epic poetic
ode of American frontier history in five volumes. His
research for the work eventually led him to Black Elk.
He also penned “The Poet’s Town,” about the “prosy
little village” where he lived from 1900-1920.
The Neihardt Foundation and State Historic Site
expresses sincere gratitude to all who contributed to
make the vision a reality. For more information, visit:
neihardtcenter.org or call toll-free: (888) 777-HOOP.
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PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
51st Annual Neihardt Day Celebration
EVENT
The 51st annual Neihardt Day celebration will be Sunday, August 7th
CALENDAR
from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the John G. Neihardt State
Historic Site (304 W. Elm St.) in Bancroft.
51st annual
Ron Hull, Senior Advisor for Nebraska Educational Television, will
Neihardt Day
return as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Jerome Kills Small will share
August 7, 2016
an invocation, and Charles “Chuck” Trimble will give welcoming remarks.
Neihardt State Historic Site
Tim Anderson, Foundation Board member and Neihardt biographer,
Bancroft, Nebraska
will present “Preserving Neihardt’s Story,” followed by Neihardt’s grandchildren Robin Neihardt and Coralie Hughes reading an excerpt from
Neihardt’s “The Death of Crazy Horse.”
Beer & Limerick
A presentation with artist Herb Mignery will reveal the bronze sculptures
he crafted of Neihardt and
Festival
Black Elk, followed by a Lakota
September 24, 2016
Honor Song composed and
Bancroft Community Center
performed by Jerome Kills
Bancroft, Nebraska
Small. The program will close
with the traditional benediction
Laureate’s Feast
of John G. Neihardt’s recording
November 13, 2016
of “Black Elk’s Prayer.”
Metro
Community College
Neihardt Foundation Board
Fort Omaha Campus
Member Timothy Anderson’s
Omaha, Nebraska
book, “Lonesome Dreamer: The
Life of John G. Neihardt,” to be
released on August 1st, will be available for purchase as well as
author book signing at the event.
The afternoon celebration will also feature lunch and activities, educational booths, featured artist exhibits, museum tours
and more.
Event sponsors include Neihardt Foundation, Nebraska State
Historical Society, Neihardt Trust, University of Nebraska Press,
Nebraska Educational Television, Cuming County Visitor’s Bureau and Native American Advocacy Program.
Special recognition of the generous donors who made the
Book signing with Neihardt biographer
sculpture a reality will also included as part of the special event.
Tim Anderson will be a featured event
For the complete Neihardt Day celebration schedule and more
at the Neihardt Day celebration August 7th.
information, visit: neihardtcenter.org.
In June 2016, John G. Neihardt was named
to the Western Writer’s of America “Hall of Fame”
during their annual gathering in Cody, WY.
Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
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35TH ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE
Exploring the Changing Plains
The 35th annual Neihardt Spring Conference,
“Changing Plains: The Evolving Landscapes of Early
Nebraska” was held April 30th at the Neihardt State
Historic Site in Bancroft. This one-day conference included presentations by noted educators, historians
and authors for discussion of the changing landscapes
of early Nebraska, particularly its effect in the crossing of cultures during the development of transportation on the American prairie. The conference encouraged audience members to consider the impacts of
regional history through the understanding of our
common heritage.
Moderated by Neil Harrison, the program began
with a presentation by Nancy Gillis, who spoke on
The Homestead Act and its Impact on the Plains
Tribes. Gillis discussed changes in culture, political
structure, economics, lifestyles, spiritual practices
and gender roles wrought by the increased presence
of non-Indians on the Plains, particularly across
Nebraska. She included information on the three
major acts of 1862-1864 legislation pivotal to many
of the changes.
Jerome Kills Small, of Oglala Lakota heritage,
presented On the Move: Transportation Culture of
the Oglala Lakota. He captivated the audience with
stories about the transformation of the traditional
Nancy Gillis and Jerome Kills Small were featured speakers at
the 35th annual Neihardt Spring Conference.
Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
Neihardt Foundation Board Member Walt Duda presented
Foundation President Dr. Jon Cerny the “Wall of Fame” award.
forms of transport of his people, and his personal experience learning from his elders, as Lakota cultural
understanding continues on in future generations.
Following a delicious lunch served by Grandma’s
Attic of Bancroft, guest reconvened for the awards
ceremony, which included the presentation of the
Neihardt Young Poet’s contest winners Brandon
Dorsey, Conleigh Hemmer and Divith Rajogopal, who
traveled to Bancroft to share their poems.
The Neihardt Foundation also honored Dr. Jon
Cerny with the “Wall of Fame” award for outstanding
leadership and dedication during his time served as
Neihardt Foundation president.
T.J. Obermeyer started the afternoon presentations with an informative look into the expansion of
rail travel through Nebraska. In his talk Rail Trails: The
Route West, he highlighted the most interesting tales
of westward expansion through the stories of the
communities preserved at the Siouxland Historical
Railroad Museum.
Jeff Barnes completed the conference with his
talk From the River to the Rockies: Military Posts
Along the Union Pacific. His presentation covered ten
U.S. Army forts of the area, as well as outposts and
supply posts constructed to support the creation of
the Trans-continental railroad and mass movement
through western lands.
Save the date: The 36th annual Spring Conference
will be held on April 29, 2017.
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IN THE NEWS
Black Elk Receives Recognition
Black Elk Peak
The proposal to change the name of “Harney Peak” to “Black Elk Peak” has been under consideration by
the U.S. Board of Geographic Names since May 2015, with a decision scheduled to be made at a meeting
on August 11th. Public comments can be sent by e-mail to: lyost@usgs.gov or by mail to: Mr. Lou Yost,
Executive Secretary; c/o U.S.B.G.N./U.S.G.S.; 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 523; Reston, VA 20192.
Black Elk Canonization
A petition requesting Black Elk’s canonization as Saint, has been
presented to the Diocese of Rapid City, with the spectacular
aurorae observed the night of Black Elk’s wake is deemed to be
one miraculous sign of his holiness. Public comments can be via
e-mail: mleneaughsr@diorc.org or by mail to: Deacon Marlon
Leneaugh, Sr., c/o Diocese of Rapid City; P.O. Box 678; Rapid
City, SD 57709.
Lincoln Stamp Club honors Black Elk in 2016
Lincoln Stamp Club Honors Black Elk
The Lincoln Stamp Club’s “LINPEX 2016” collectible show cover honored the Sesquicentennial of Black Elk’s
birth and featured a special envelope, customized stamp and cancel commemorating the event.
Sunday at the Museum Series
In January, Jack Phillips, a naturalist and writer presented
“Planting the Sacred Tree,” engaging guests to ponder trees
throughout time, as well as utilizing audience feedback to
design a garden.
Bluebird Art and Regalia artist Steve
Tamayo shared his knowledge through
“Warrior Societies of the Great Plains”
in February with a beautiful accompanying array of traditional artwork he
created. Tamayo’s work, including a
Taylor Keen
series of modern mixed-media pieces,
will be featured on display at the
Neihardt Center through 2017.
In March, writer Taylor Keen’s slide
presentation took the audience on his
intriguing adventures “Rediscovering
America: Sacred Geography and the
Ancient Earthen Works of Mound
Builders.”
For a list of events visit:
Jack Phillips and
Carson Cooper
www.neihardtcenter.org/events.
Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
Special Performance
The Nebraska Arts Council awarded a
grant to bring the Nebraska Chamber Players to Bancroft for a performance as a
special event with Dr. Christian Ellenwood.
Ellenwood delighted the audience with
the debut of an original composition based
on Neihardt’s works, “At Love’s End.” He
wrote the piece following his inspired visit
to the Neihardt State Historic Site with his
mother, Sandi. The same location was a
fitting site for the deeply moving performance, especially when paired with the
vocals of Brian Leeper. Both men are Nebraska natives and music professors at the
University of Wisconsin -Whitewater.
The Nebraska Chamber Players also performed an afternoon concert of music from
American composers to a delighted audience. Stay tuned for future chances to hear
more from Dr. Ellenwood and the Nebraska
Chamber Players at the Neihardt Site!
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NEW BOARD MEMBER
The Neihardt Foundation is pleased to
welcome Joe Green to the Board of Directors.
A resident of Minden, Green is a retired
English teacher. He holds degrees from Kearney
State College and supplemented his education
by participating in five summer-long seminars
sponsored by the National Endowment for
Humanities and the Mellon Foundation.
Green has conducted many workshops on
writing and literature, including several on
Neihardt with the late Stanley Smith. Green is also the author of a
composition manual used in several schools, as well as numerous
articles on Neihardt, Chaucer and Cather, among others.
He was twice a finalist for Nebraska Teacher of the Year, and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2002 and Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award
from the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association in 2013. In
2004 he was presented the “Word Sender” award by the Neihardt
Foundation. Green is currently in the initial stages of annotating
Neihardt’s A Cycle of the West for University of Nebraska Press.
IN MEMORIAM
The Neihardt Foundation acknowledges the passing of two avid
supporters and extends condolences to their family and friends:
Teresa “Terri” Hansen (6/24/59 - 2/6/16) was
a Board Member of the Neihardt Foundation
and was always willing to volunteer her time
to promote the legacy of John G. Neihardt.
She was the owner of Bancroft Floral and Gift,
as well as Lucky’s Bar, in her hometown of
Bancroft. Her enthusiasm and zest for life will
be fondly remembered by all.
Welcome New
Nebraska Director
Trevor Jones
The Nebraska State Historical
Society Board of Trustees has appointed Trevor M. Jones of Frankfort,
Kentucky, as the new Director and
Chief Executive Officer.
Jones will take over the duties of
Michael J. Smith, who retired on June
30th, after 10 years in the position.
Jones will begin his duties at NSHS in
July. Smith, a native of Illinois, plans
to remain in Lincoln.
The John G. Neihardt State
Historic Site is a
branch museum
of the Nebraska
State Historical
Society.
The Neihardt
Foundation
wishes the best
to both on their
new journeys
ahead!
Foundation Website
The Neihardt Foundation website
will have a new look courtesy of the
students at Wayne State College’s Department of Art and Design, guided by
Professor Joshua Piersanti as a Service
Learning Project in the Spring of 2016.
Go to www.neihardtcenter.org
to see their work in progress.
Terri Hansen
Donald H. Hammel (7/22/25 - 6/11/16) was a
generous member of the Neihardt Foundation,
often in attendance of the various fundraisers
and events throughout the years. Though he
will be greatly missed, his memory will live on
through his acts of kindness. His son, Paul,
currently serves as the Vice-President of the
Neihardt Foundation.
WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS:
Linda & Bill Pratt
Omaha, NE
Merlyn & Mardell Holm
Wakefield, NE
Don Hammel
Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
5
NEIHARDT YOUNG POET’S CONTEST
The following poems were the winning entries of the 2016 Neihardt Young Poet’s Contest:
The Peace Pipe
The pipe is the link between earth and the sky
The pipe is our prayers in physical form
The smoke we blow out is our words
It goes out and touches everything
and becomes a part of all there is
The fire in the pipe is the same fire in the sun
The fire is the source of life
The tobacco is the roots in the earth
And the smoke rises high into the heavens
The pipe symbolizes fire, smoke, and earth
Nothing is more sacred
Julian Vigil, Grade 9
Gordon-Rushville HS, Gordon, NE
1st Place-High School Division
Fernweh
I’m searching for my home – It’s surely somewhere far away
But it’s certainly in the simplicity of the fields or prairies,
And my heart isn’t in the meadows or the creeks.
My home isn’t my home – my life is to roam.
I stare at the shining sun, and smile while I think of
where I might be.
My heart and soul are lost.
I can’t satisfy this ferociously fierce feeling of fernweh.
Maybe it’s by the waters.
I can see myself siting on the bay of the deep blue sea.
I’m staring into the eyes of a familiar friend who is staring
back at me.
The ocean waves will slowly set me off to sail
on a journey of rest,
With its sounds of a calm and peaceful war,
I’m like an eagle setting off to soar.
As I watch the ocean’s white waves
Crashing into the white sand,
The white clouds will blanket me in the warmth of a
familiar dream.
I’ll live a peaceful life with my lover. We’ll sit on the beach
And share a kiss, as we hold hands and stare into the abyss,
But deep down I know, home is somewhere out there.
So, I keep traveling to find this feeling so rare,
That hopefully one day my lover and I can share.
Home for me could be up in the mountains Here I’m on top of the world!
I’m a king on top of his throne,
Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
Brandon Dorsey, Conleigh Hemmer and Divith Rajogopal
traveled to Bancroft to present their award-winning poetry at the
35th annual Neihardt Spring Conference on April 30, 2016.
And I wear a cloudy-skied crown.
I’m an angel looking down.
I’m in heaven and I see beauty and loveliness all around!
Hell is an unknown concept to me,
It’s simply not a part of my vocabulary.
Peace is all I know and love is all I need.
I look under my feet, and see civilizations
that bow down to me!
I decide I don’t like myself like this.
My journey continues as I set off once again into the abyss.
Maybe my heart lies in the city!
It’s a place of constant companionship - yes!
The city is full of the most colorful characters,
From the dim-souled silent brood, to the bright-hearted loon
who is oh-so-giddy!
It’s a place of a rainbow of luscious lights – these lights they
shimmer and glitter.
I just can’t turn my eyes from the landscape they litter.
They come in various colors.
Rustic reds, Grim-looking greys,
Wintery whites, the boldest of blues.
I fall into an illusion and I get lost in a muse.
“Home,” I think to myself.
Here I am. Here I stay.
Brandon Dorsey, Grade 10
Pender Public School, Pender, NE
2nd Place – High School Division
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NEIHARDT YOUNG POET’S CONTEST
Rolling Hills
Harney Peak
Hills rolling forever
Into the future
Beyond our own valley
And our old yellow house
Trees towering over stone ridges,
Lit by the dancing colors of the horizon
Roots spreading over paths,
They are ancient fingers reaching across the sacred land.
Soft clouds in the sky,
Over a sunset that looks like fire.
Where we had laughed
Made memories
Lived, cried and dared
In our own sweet joy
In our self-freedom
In our rolling hills.
Rocks jut up
Proud of the ground they stand on.
Sky meets land,
A harmony of two.
Matt Hood, Grade 9
Gordon-Rushville HS; Gordon, NE
3rd Place – High School Division
Conleigh Hemmer, Grade 6
Irving Middle School; Lincoln, NE
2nd Place – Jr. High Division
The Four Elements of the Plains
Seaman
Earth
Perched on the bow watching the rippling water
Through my color-blind eyes
The oak canoe moves steadily up the peaceful river
Rich, thick and fertile
Ecosystem’s foundation
A farmer’s delight
Water
Clean, hidden, vital
Rains, rivers and aquifers
Lifeline of all life
Air
Open, free, unbound
Component of the good life
Bringer of the rains
Fire
Quick, sweeping, burning
Existing life’s destroyer
Rebirth’s enabler
Divith Rajagopal, Grade 8
Lux Middle School; Lincoln, NE
1st Place – Jr. High Division
A strange animal appears along the bank
My owner, Meriwether, gasps
then writes in his yellowed journal
The westerly wind carries the scent of the Spaniards
My spontaneous bark spurs the men to row vigorously
The shore brings solid ground and with it,
leftover goose meat
Night comes and I take my spot
next to the crackling fire.
Evan Beaty, Grade 6
Irving Middle School; Lincoln, NE
3rd Place – Jr. High Division
Are you a young writer? Enter the 2017 Neihardt Young Poets Contest!
For contest and submission information, visit: www.neihardtcenter.org,
by phone: (402) 648-3388 and toll-free: (888) 777-HOOP
or write to: Neihardt Foundation; Box 344; Bancroft, NE 68004
Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
7
John G. Neihardt Foundation
P.O. Box 344
Bancroft NE 68004
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Board of Directors
Dr. Jon Cerny, President
Paul Hammel, Vice Pres.
Nancy Gillis, Treasurer
Dr. Jon Bailey, Secretary
Tim Anderson
Pat Browning
Dr. Michael Carroll
Garry Clark
Cynthia Cooper
Walter M. Duda
Dr. Steve Elliott
Mike Fisk
Joe Green
Mary Hines
Dr. David Hoelting
James C. Hulstein
Randy Lukasiewicz
Dick Moodie
Joy Neihardt
Robin Neihardt
Mary Lou Schweers
Gail Toedebusch
Dr. Merlyn Vogt
Patty Wegner
The John G. Neihardt Foundation
John G. Neihardt
State Historic Site
Amy C. Kucera
Executive Director
Norma Farrens
Administrative Assistant
Mary Petersen
Librarian
Rod Peters
Groundskeeper
Word Sender
is the official newsletter
of the John G. Neihardt
Foundation.
Issued twice a year.
www.neihardtcenter.org
neihardt@gpcom.net
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(888) 777-HOOP
Neihardt Foundation Newsletter
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