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Dakota Midday: 'Neither Wolf nor Dog'

In his book, Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder, Minnesota writer Kent Nerburn reluctantly agrees to a meeting with Dan, a Lakota elder who asks him to construct a book from a motley collection of notes and commentaries written over seven decades and kept in an old shoe box. Dan and his friend Grover take Nerburn on a ride through Lakota country in Dan's Buick.

Nerburn's book has been adapted into a new movie by writer and director Steven Lewis Simpson. He previously worked with Native actors and themes on the films Rez Bomb and Thunder-Being Nation. Simpson and the cast and crew are in Rapid City for a private pre-release screening during the Black Hills Film Festival.

Simpson discussed the film Dakota Midday along with actors Christopher Sweeney, who plays Kent Nerburn, and Richard Ray Whitman, who plays Grover.

For more information on Neither Wolf nor Dog, click here.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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