Lillian Witt

Topics: American Old West, Anti-racism, Black Hills, Chautauqua, Education, History, Native American, South Dakota, Veterans/Military History

Community: Gordon, NE

Program Types: Chautauqua, Pre-recorded Program Video, Speakers Bureau, Virtual Program(s)

lillyrae49@yahoo.com | (308) 360-9336

Dakota Daughters: Wounded Knee 1890 (Chautauqua)
Lillian Witt, Geraldine Goes in Center and Joyce Jefferson tell of the December 29, 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre relaying historical information in an interesting, entertaining and memorable way. Their goal: to increase sensitivity/understanding of others, their customs their cultures; and by looking into the past, find peace, closure and understanding in the future. We are all related … or as the Lakota say, Mitakuye Oyasin.

Daddies’ Dreams (Chautauqua)
An adventure on a WWII ship to Germany, a bucking bull’s horn, roping a deer and a badger, are a few of the hilarious, but true stories told by Lillian Derflinger Witt of her adventurous father as a young cowboy, WWII veteran, and South Dakota rancher. In addition, Dakota Daughters’ Joyce Jefferson and Geraldine Goes in Center add their stories and fond memories of their Air Force and Army veteran fathers.

Annie Tallent, The First White Woman in the Black Hills (Chautauqua)
A woman of refinement/education, Annie Tallent along with her husband D.G. and their nine-year-old son Robert, joined the Gordon party on a long and grueling journey of deep snow, bitter cold and constant fear of attacking Native Americans enroute to the Black Hills. She first entered Dakota Territory illegally, but represents the heroism/resourcefulness of pioneer women, especially in the annals of early educational history.