This presentation by author and historian Donovin Sprague commemorates the 150th anniversary of the June 25–26, 1876, Battle of the Greasy Grass, also known as the Battle of the Little Big Horn, with an in-depth overview of the events leading up to the conflict, the battle itself, and its aftermath. Through photographs and maps, the program highlights the participants, with special attention to Native perspectives and the lasting importance of the event in Lakota history. Donovin Sprague is a direct descendant of several individuals who fought in the battle, including High Backbone (Hump) and Crazy Horse, offering a personal and historically grounded perspective.
Date: Thursday, July 23
Time: 6:00 p.m.
This event is free to attend, no RSVP required.
Donovin Sprague was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota where he is an enrolled member of the Minnicoujou Lakota. He is a university instructor, author of ten books, and a historian. He teaches history and political science at Sheridan College, including Wyoming Tribal History, American Indian History & Culture, Tribal Law, Treaties, & Government, and Plains Indian Art, among other courses. At previous universities, he taught classes in history, political science, sociology, social science, psychology, literature, and art. Sprague serves as the advisor for the Multicultural Center as well as the Native American organization on campus. In addition, he plans events each November to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Recently, he has traveled to give presentations and do consulting work, which has taken him to Culver Military Academies, Culver, Indiana; Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana; Purdue, Lafayette, Indiana; University of Frankfurt, Germany; U.S. Army Base Wiesbaden, Germany, and Paris, France. He conducts tours and has been a frequent speaker in the Sheridan area. In addition, he has presented at major universities, museums, and cultural centers throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.