‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ author’s South Dakota speech to cap off professors’ vision, community read

This paid piece is sponsored by South Dakota State University.

The bestselling author of “Killers of the Flower Moon” will be in South Dakota next week, culminating months of residents reading his work across the state.

David Grann’s visit was the brainchild of Jason McEntee, South Dakota State University professor and director of the School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies. McEntee was inspired to teach Grann’s book in class and see if he could coordinate an appearance by the author.

He and English professor Sharon Smith co-taught a class in Western literature and film and knew the book’s adaption into a film last year would bring it added visibility.

“We decided we needed to have the book on our syllabus,” McEntee said. “And we were sitting around and just said, ‘What if we could swing for the fences and get David Grann to talk to us in the spring?’”

He initially dismissed it for cost, but his dean persuaded him to see if a coalition could be put together to fund the effort.

“The next thing you know, about 14 entities were giving us $500 here, $1,000 there on campus and in the community, and before long we got his travel and contract fees covered, and we could proceed,” McEntee said. “It was exciting how many people wanted to be a part of it.”

“Killers of the Flower Moon” tells the true story of the “Reign of Terror” on the Osage in Oklahoma in the 1910s through the 1930s, during which tribal members were murdered in an effort to overtake their mineral rights on land where oil was found. Ultimately, the conspiracy was exposed as new investigative techniques reached the area.

Time magazine listed it as one of the top 10 nonfiction books of 2017.

The book was made into an award-winning film directed by Martin Scorsese and nominated for multiple Oscars this year.

With donor support, SDSU was able to purchase 650 copies of the book and begin distributing them to schools, including tribal ones, and to libraries and colleges. Siouxland Libraries and Washington High School in Sioux Falls were among the recipients.

The books were appreciated especially by tribal schools, which rarely receive such a donation, McEntee said.

“They said the students are devouring them,” he said. “The feedback has been good, and we know many students will be coming to David Grann’s lecture or able to watch it through streaming.”

There also have been community read discussions in Brookings and Sioux Falls as people have read the book on campus and in the communities.

A screening of the film will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Brookings Cinema 8 in two theaters. Tickets are available at the Cinema 8 box office and are free, with a limit of two per person.

The April 5 lecture, titled “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Arc of Justice,” will be about 45 minutes, plus time for questions and a book signing. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.

Tickets will be available Thursday and April 2 in person at the performing arts center box office from 1 to 4 p.m. They will be available in person at the PAC April 3-5 from 1 to 4 p.m. as well as online. Tickets are free and limited to two per person.

“David Grann has been incredible to work with,” McEntee added.

“We’re going to have conversations that include all perspectives, including Native American, and the partnerships and relationships and connections we’ve made along the way between Brookings, Sioux Falls and the tribal schools will go a long way after this is done. We’ve made a lot of friendships that will continue in perpetuity.”