“Let’s Talk About It” Book Discussion Series at Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum

PAWNEE, Okla. — Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum in Pawnee has partnered with Oklahoma Humanities (OH) to host OH’s book discussion series called “Let’s Talk About It.” The book club meetings will take place as monthly in-person gatherings at the museum on Blue Hawk Peak, and will feature a different book title each month from July to November.

All five of the books in the program have the overarching theme of “Many Trails, Many Tribes: American Indians in Fiction.” The intention of the discussion group is to focus on the accuracies or inaccuracies found in the portrayal of American Indians depicted in works of fiction. Each month, a scholar will give a 45-minute synopsis on the chosen book of the month. After the synopsis, the scholar will lead an open forum discussion with the participants.

The dates, times, books, and scholars for the series are as follows:

July 17, 2021, 6 p.m.
Featured book: James Fenimore Cooper, “Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757” (1826), with scholar Dr. Sara Richter

August 21, 2021, 6 p.m.
Featured book: R. A. Lafferty, “Okla Hannali” (Doubleday, 1972), with scholar Dr. Laura Arata

September 11, 2021, 6 p.m.
Featured book: Linda Hogan, “Mean Spirit”(Atheneum Books, 1990), with scholar Dr. Andrew Vassar

October 16, 2021, 6 p.m.
Featured book: N. Scott Momaday, “House Made of Dawn”(Harper & Row, 1968), with scholar Dr. Patti Loughlin

November 13, 2021, 6 p.m.
Featured book: Barbara Kingslover, “Pigs in Heaven”(Harper Collins, 1993), with scholar Dr. John Coward

The museum will provide all the books, refreshments and the venue. All participants need to bring is the desire to add to the discussion. This program is free to the public. For more information, call 918-762-2513 or come by the museum to sign up for the program and take home the latest book in the “Let’s Talk About It” series.

Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum is located at 1141 Pawnee Bill Road in Pawnee. Follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram at @pawneebillranch.

Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understanding new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life through humanities disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH provides a free educational magazine, Smithsonian Institution exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

Pawnee Bill Ranch is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.