Pilster lecturer, Robinson, to speak about the Northern Cheyenne

It will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom and is free and open to the public. Additionally, Robinson will meet with interested students on Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. in Old Admin Room 230.

Robinson is a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and was born and raised on the reservation in Lame Deer, Montana. His writing draws from vivid memories of reservation life, where his family of 10 lived.

His early years were shaped by poverty, resourcefulness, and the strength of his parents, who worked hard to improve their children's lives, according to his online bio. Their house did not have running water and only had intermittent electricity. Over time, the family transitioned to a home with modern amenities and eventually settled on a ranch near Ashland, Montana, where Robinson’s teenage years were marked by hard work and emotional complexity. Though Robinson didn’t begin writing seriously until 25 years later, the land and people of his upbringing remain central to his stories.

The novel is the first volume in a three-part series that highlights the Northern Cheyenne and their pivotal role in the history of the Plains Indian Wars. While figures like Custer and Crazy Horse often dominate the narrative, Robinson centers his story on Little Wolf, a Sweet Medicine Chief of the Cheyenne, and Bill Rowland, a white man who married into the tribe and served as an interpreter.

Set in the months following the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the story unfolds as Little Wolf urges his people to move to safety at the Red Cloud Agency, fearing the destructive force of the U.S. military. But pride and internal conflict derailed his efforts. Meanwhile, Rowland finds himself caught between two worlds when the army turns its attention toward attacking a Cheyenne winter camp, home to his own family and friends.

In addition to his forthcoming book, Robinson has published articles, poems, and short stories that reflect the spirit, struggle, and resilience of his community and culture.