2016 Great Plains Symposium to explore life of Neihardt

Though he is best known for his book "Black Elk Speaks," Nebraska poet laureate in perpetuity John G. Neihardt was the author of scores of other poems, stories and essays about the Great Plains, science, spirituality, Native people and the settlement of the American West. Neihardt's writing tells readers what he saw to be the epic history of the region.

The University of Nebraska Press and the Center for Great Plains Studies will host a one-day symposium on Neihardt and his work, titled "The Epic Neihardt: The Life and Literature of John G. Neihardt," from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Center for Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St. The event, supported by the John G. Neihardt Foundation, will feature talks exploring the life and writing of one of the state's most famous writers.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by Feb. 1. Talks include:

• "Neihardt's Cycle of the West: New Heroes, Traditional Form": Tim Anderson, professor emeritus, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, author of "Lonesome Dreamer: The Life of John G. Neihardt."
• "Before Black Elk: John G. Neihardt's Omaha Stories": Aubrey Streit Krug, Great Plains graduate fellow, doctoral candidate and graduate teaching assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of English.
• "Post-Victorian or Emergent Modern? John G. Neihardt and Early 20th Century Science": Pamela Gossin, professor, School of Arts and Humanities, University of Texas at Dallas.

For registration and more information, visit http://www.unl.edu/plains/neihardt-symposium or call 402-472-3964.