On Monday, November 23 at 7 p.m., Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT) and Sheridan College will present a free community screening of the documentary Before Wyoming: The West in 1776 in Kinnison Hall at the Whitney Center for the Arts. The one‑hour program includes a 28‑minute film and a live discussion with Lakota historian Donovin Sprague, a Sheridan College faculty member, and Kevin Knapp, SCLT’s Director of History.
Why the film matters to Sheridan
“When we think about 1776, we tend to focus on the Declaration of Independence and the events unfolding in the eastern colonies,” said Knapp. “Exploring this history helps us understand that the story of America is much bigger and more complex than the one we often learn in school.” The documentary shifts the focus to the western territories, showing how Indigenous nations maintained extensive trade networks, political relationships, and cultural traditions long before the United States was founded.
Indigenous perspectives highlighted
Sprague emphasizes that understanding this earlier history is essential for appreciating the experiences of American Indian peoples and the lasting impact of federal Indian policy. “It is important to understand the rich early Wyoming history pertaining to archaeology along with the American Indian life here at that time,” he said. “Events happening back then would affect Wyoming history and its peoples later.” The film illustrates how horses, firearms, and European trade goods had already reached many Plains communities, linking them to broader continental changes.
Connecting past to present
Both speakers hope the event will encourage residents to consider how tribes made their livelihoods from the land and how those histories extend beyond the creation of reservations. Sprague notes that many narratives have been overlooked when reservations were established, and he believes a deeper grasp of early federal Indian policy can illuminate current legislation affecting Indigenous communities.
The screening coincides with American Indian Heritage Month, an observance Sprague helped launch at Sheridan College six years ago. He sees the month as a vital opportunity for the community to learn, exchange perspectives, and engage with histories that are often omitted from mainstream curricula. “If not for American Indian Heritage Month, a lot of people would not have the opportunity to pick up more of this history, by participating, interaction, and communicating their thoughts,” Sprague said.
Building stronger community ties
Knapp added that having Sprague join the conversation offers Sheridan County residents a chance to hear these histories directly from someone who carries the knowledge and experience of the Northern Plains. “When we make space for different perspectives and listen to one another, we build a more complete understanding of our shared history,” he said. Both speakers agree that such understanding forms a foundation for stronger relationships and a more connected community.
The event is free and open to all. Interested attendees should register at sheridanclt.org/events. This screening is part of the By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 series, marking Wyoming’s 250th anniversary and inviting residents to explore the many stories that make up America’s past.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
