Three faculty in the School of Global Integrative Studies (SGIS) have been recognized through the Nebraska Center for the Book’s Nebraska Book Awards program, which honors books written by Nebraska authors, published in Nebraska, set in the state, or focused on Nebraska subjects.
An American Corner of the World, written by David Wishart, geography, and published by the Nebraska State Historical Society, received the Nonfiction History Award.
"The book is a deep geography of Richardson County, Nebraska," Wishart, emeritus professor, said. "It tells the story of the changing patterns and rhythms of life there, from the earliest occupants, anonymous hunters and gatherers thousands of years ago, right through almost to the present."
It is an account of Native American dispossession and American succession, Wishart said. Richardson County was selected for the presence of Native Americans—the Iowa, Sac, and Fox reservations. Their experiences are representative of others across the country, yet locally distinctive.
"It is a scholarly book," he added, "but written with a broad audience in mind."
Roots of Justice: A History of Race and Racism in Nebraska, edited by Kevin Abourezk, received the Nonfiction Reconciliation Award. It was published by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) on its Digital Commons platform.
Emira Ibrahimpašić, global studies, and Julia Reilly, global studies and human rights and humanitarian affairs, contributed the chapter "Recent Arrivals: Refugee Resettlement in Nebraska."
"What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that our work represents the first effort to examine the history of refugees in Nebraska on a broad scale," Ibrahimpašić, assistant director of the global studies program, said. "Refugees have been part of Nebraska's history for generations, contributing to the social, cultural, and economic life of our communities, yet their experiences have remained largely absent from the historical narratives we tell about our state."
She and Reilly wanted to bring those histories to light. The city of Lincoln is home to over 30,000 immigrants and refugees from approximately 150 countries, and the two researchers wanted to document their experiences and demonstrate that they are an essential part of Nebraska's history.
"Nebraska's immigrant and refugee communities are full of inspiring stories of resilience, courage, determination, and innovation," Reilly said.
Ibrahimpašić and Reilly are committed to the work; both are founding members of Nebraska Initiative for Migration Studies (NIMS).
"Receiving this recognition is particularly gratifying because it helps bring greater visibility to these stories and to the people and communities whose experiences deserve to be remembered, understood, and included in our collective understanding of Nebraska," Ibrahimpašić added.
"It is truly such an honor and a pleasure to be a small part of getting to bring these stories closer to the forefront of Nebraska's history and identity, where they belong," Reilly said. "Immigrants and refugees belong in Nebraska, and I consider myself so lucky to share this state from them and to learn from their example."
Winners are invited to participate as featured authors at the Nebraska Celebration of Books on Nov. 14, which will culminate in an awards ceremony. Read more about the Nebraska Book Awards online.
SGIS is part of the College of Arts and Sciences.
