Identifier

NA 4

Dates

1985-2006

Extent

0.84 linear feet (2 document cases) photographs

Abstract

The Brookings Reconciliation Council Records document the work of a community-based organization in Brookings, South Dakota, dedicated to fostering reconciliation and improving relations between Native American and non-Native communities. Dating primarily from the early 1990s through the early 2000s, the collection includes correspondence, meeting minutes, conference materials, publications, and topical files addressing civil rights, education, land and sovereignty issues, cultural representation, and community dialogue. Together, the records illustrate local responses to broader reconciliation initiatives in South Dakota and provide insight into grassroots efforts to address historical injustice and promote cross-cultural understanding at the community level.

Historical Note

The Brookings Reconciliation Council was a community-based organization established in Brookings, South Dakota, in the early 1990s in response to statewide and local efforts to address historical injustices and improve relations between Native American and non-Native communities. Its formation followed South Dakota’s 1990 “Year of Reconciliation,” which encouraged dialogue, education, and community action around Native history, sovereignty, and civil rights.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the Council served as a forum for discussion and advocacy on issues affecting Native communities, including education, land and sovereignty, cultural representation, violence, and economic concerns. The organization sponsored and participated in conferences, public events, and reconciliation initiatives, and worked with educators, civic leaders, and community groups to promote awareness and understanding. The Council remained active into the early twenty-first century, leaving a record of sustained local engagement with reconciliation and human rights issues in eastern South Dakota.

Content Notes

The Brookings Reconciliation Council Records document the activities, concerns, and advocacy efforts of the Brookings Reconciliation Council in Brookings, South Dakota, from approximately 1985 to 2006, with the bulk of the material dating from 1993 to 2003. The collection reflects the Council’s work to promote understanding, reconciliation, and improved relations between Native and non-Native communities in the region.

Materials include correspondence, meeting minutes, press releases, reports, collected publications, and conference materials addressing civil rights, education, economics, government relations, land issues, language, sovereignty, traditions, and violence affecting Native communities. The records also document public discussions and initiatives related to sports team mascots, reconciliation conferences, and community events. Additional materials highlight collaborations with organizations such as the Native American Club and Northern Plains Tribal Arts, as well as references to notable individuals and institutions. Photographs and undated resources further illustrate the Council’s outreach and educational efforts.

Together, the records provide insight into local and regional reconciliation initiatives, community dialogue, and advocacy related to Native American issues in eastern South Dakota during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

This document is a descriptive inventory of the collection in the SDSU Archives and Special Collections. It contains:

  • An overview of the collection, including information about the person or organization and a brief description of the materials and subjects found within.
  • A detailed inventory listing, organized by boxes and folders.
  • Information on how to access the materials, including any restrictions or special conditions.

In most cases, the materials in the collections have not been digitized and are not available online. If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at:

Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.

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