Dr. Harry Thompson, Executive Director, The Center for Western Studies, at Augustana University

Jon Lauck discusses The 49th annual Dakota Conference on the Northern Plains with Dr. Harry Thompson, Executive director for The Center for Western Studies at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS: OBSERVING THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION The conference will be held April 21-22, 2017, in the CWS Fantle Building on the Augustana campus. This year’s theme The 49th annual Dakota Conference on the Northern Plains will examine the variety of religious expression in the region, both historical and contemporary. Approximately 80 presenters from as many as 15 states gather to present papers and participate in panels to at this two-day national examines issues of contemporary significance to the region in their historical and cultural contexts. Recent topics of interest have included western highways, regional identity, World Wars I and II, Wounded Knee 1973, and Spanish exploration of and Hispanic/Latino immigration to the region