2019 Mari Sandoz Symposium, September 20-21, 2019

"Populism"

Populism was the theme of the 2019 Mari Sandoz Symposium at the High Plains Heritage Center on the Chadron State College campus.  September 19-21, 2019, at Chadron State College. The Thursday and Friday events take place on the college campus and Saturday morning's session will be held downtown.

Dr. Jeff Wells of the University of Nebraska – Kearney discussed the “Populism of Jules Sandoz and Mari Sandoz.” In Old Jules, Mari Sandoz offers glimpses of her father’s politics and involvement with the Populist movement.  

Sandoz’ book Capital City, considered her most political work, was Viewed Through Two Lenses. The 1939 book mixed fact and fiction to create compelling narratives. Mary Clai Jones, an assistant professor of literature at CSC and Chris Steinke, an assistant professor of history at UNK, unpacked the meanings of the work.  

"The People's Populism: The Shaping and Reshaping of Populism in Latin America, 1950s-2010s" was explained by Dr. Maria L.O. Munoz, history department chair at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.

Northeast Nebraska farmer Graham Christensen discussed regenerative agriculture, why soil health practices must be adopted by farmers and ranchers holistically, and gave highlights of recent activities surrounding regenerative agriculture in Nebraska.