From Old Jules, the stark 1935 biography of her father, to The Battle of Little Bighorn, Mari Sandoz wrote more than 20 books—some of the most memorable and realistic accounts about pioneers and Native Peoples ever written. With keen attention to detail, compelling topics, and blunt, accurate, compassionate descriptions, Sandoz created vivid stories of the last days of the American frontier. She was an internationally-known chronicler of the West and one of Nebraska’s most important writers. The mission of the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society is to encourage and promote an understanding of the literary and historical works of Mari Sandoz and to honor the land and people about which she wrote. 

The Mari Sandoz Society works to increase the visibility of this premier writer and historian by bringing people together for the discussion of her literary works and research while supporting projects and scholarly activities that further an understanding around the land and the people about which she wrote.

The Society maintains extensive archive materials including manuscripts of Mari’s works, research she compiled in a meticulous and copious index card system, written histories, essays, short stories, maps, correspondence and personal items. The Society's collections are on loan to the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska while additional material resource collections are held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Each year the Society presents the acclaimed Raleigh and Esther Pilster High Plains Lecture at Chadron State College and provides support for the Story Catcher Writers Workshop and a writing scholarship at Western Colorado University. The Society publishes a newsletter, maintains a website and supports a variety of other scholarly activities including a research award. Most recently, the Society has stepped up to provide support to the Northern Cheyenne Journey Home Committee and their work on the planned Northern Cheyenne Healing Trail located near Crawford, Nebraska in the northwest corner of the state.

The Mari Sandoz Heritage Society (DBA Mari Sandoz Society) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization making your donation applicable for tax credit in accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations regarding charitable contributions.