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Important Announcement!

Effective November 7, 2024, SDHC’s Brainstorming program underwent some significant changes!

“Brainstorming: The Human Connection” has adopted a new name – “Humanities Café” – and has moved to a bi-weekly format, changing from its usual 10:30-11:30 AM (CST) time slot to a “Brown Bag Lunch/Seminar” format at 12:00-1:00 PM (CST).

It is our hope that this time change will allow for an increased number of patrons to participate in the program and its discussions.


The goal of this program is to be informative and conversational – to discuss issues and bring about a greater understanding of the complexities that lie beneath these issues.

Participants are expected to be respectful of diverse opinions and varying points of view. 

Upcoming Café Topics

Dec 5  | Sarah Jones-Lutter, Dan Burniston, and Nancy Swenson – The Role of Public Libraries in an Era of Book Banning – Sarah Jones-Lutter, Library Director & Past President of the South Dakota Library Association (SDLA), Dan Burniston, Library Director, and Nancy Swenson, Technology Services Librarian & SDLA Intellectual Freedom Chair, join SDHC to address the role of public libraries in an era of book banning.

Dec 19  | Dr. DenYelle Baete Kenyon and Damon Leader Charge – South Dakota’s Rural/Reservation Healthcare Crisis – Dr. DenYelle Baete Kenyon, Associate Dean of Community Health & Engagement at USD Sanford School of Medicine, and Damon Leader Charge, Director of Tribal Outreach at USD Sanford School of Medicine and former Tribal Health Administrator for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, join SDHC to talk about the crisis involving the availability of healthcare on reservations and in rural areas of South Dakota.

Jan 2  | Tanya Grassel-Krietlow and Lily Mendoza – Human Trafficking Awareness Month: Addressing the MMIP Crisis – Tanya Grassel-Krietlow, FAST Coordinator for the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault and SDHC Board Member, and Lily Mendoza, 2024 Bush Fellow and Founder of the Red Ribbon Skirt Society, join SDHC to talk about implementation of the Justice Department’s new program to combat the MMIP crisis and the action needed to make a meaningful difference.

Jan 16   | Andrew Kightlinger – Staying Positive – and Connected – in Challenging Times – South Dakota filmmaker, Andrew Kightlinger, joins SDHC to talk about his latest film, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, and to discuss the importance of hope, perseverance, and meaningful connections in challenging times.

Jan 30   | Dr. Becky Kuehl and Dr. Molly Enz – DEI: The Divisiveness of Inclusion – South Dakota State University professors, Dr. Becky Kuehl and Dr. Molly Enz, join SDHC for an explanation of “DEI” – an acronym for “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” – and a discussion of why it’s dividing America.

Feb 13    | Donovin Sprague and Aaron D. West, Jr. – Blood Quantum and Indigenous Erasure – Donovin Sprague, educator, author, and historian, and Aaron D. West, Jr., Director of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe’s Lakota Cultural Center, join SDHC to discuss the issue of “blood quantum” – it’s premise, history, and ongoing impact on Indigenous populations.  

NOTE: SDHC expects program participants to behave respectfully. Any questionable conduct may be considered grounds for removal from program participation.