Nick Estes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nick Estes
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Estes in 2019
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| Nationality | Lower Brule Sioux Tribe |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies at University of Minnesota |
| Organization |
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| Known for | Indigenous organizing and history, nonfiction |
| Awards | 2019 Lannan Literary Award Fellowship for Nonfiction |
| Honours | 2020 Marguerite Casey Foundation's Freedom Scholar |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Our History is the Future: Mni Wiconi and the Struggle for Native Liberation (2017) |
Nick Estes is a Sicangu American community organizer, journalist, and historian. He is a member of the Sicangu Lakota (Sioux) Nation. He teaches at the University of Minnesota. Nick Estes helps people understand important parts of history. He also works to make things better for Indigenous communities.
He helped start two groups: The Red Nation and Red Media. The Red Nation is a group that works for the freedom and rights of Indigenous people. Red Media shares news and stories from an Indigenous point of view. In 2019, he won a special award called the Lannan Literary Award Fellowship for his nonfiction writing. Nonfiction means books or articles based on facts and real events. In 2020, he was named a "freedom scholar" by the Marguerite Casey Foundation. This honor recognizes people who work for justice and freedom.
Contents
Who is Nick Estes?
Nick Estes is an important voice for Indigenous people. He is a historian, which means he studies and writes about the past. He focuses on the history of Native American communities. He also works as a journalist, sharing news and stories. As a community organizer, he helps bring people together to work for change.
He teaches American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota. In his classes, he helps students learn about the rich history and current issues facing Indigenous peoples. His work helps many people understand Native American experiences better.
His Education and Early Life
Nick Estes studied a lot to become a historian and writer. He earned two degrees from the University of South Dakota. These were a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Arts (MA). Later, he went to the University of New Mexico. There, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. This is the highest degree you can get in many subjects.
His PhD paper was called "Our History is the Future: Mni Wiconi and the Struggle for Native Liberation." This paper shows his deep interest in Indigenous history and their fight for freedom. "Mni Wiconi" is a Lakota phrase meaning "Water is Life." It became a famous saying during protests to protect water resources.
His Work as an Organizer
Nick Estes is well-known for his work as an organizer. He believes in helping Indigenous communities stand up for their rights. He co-founded The Red Nation in 2014. This group works to end problems like racism and poverty for Native people. They also fight for Indigenous land and water rights.
He also helped create Red Media. This platform shares news, podcasts, and articles. It gives a voice to Indigenous people and their stories. This is important because mainstream media often does not cover these topics fairly. Through these groups, Nick Estes helps spread important messages.
Writing and Awards
Nick Estes is a talented writer. He writes nonfiction books and articles. His work often focuses on Indigenous history, activism, and current events. He wants to make sure that the stories and struggles of Native Americans are heard.
In 2019, he received the Lannan Literary Award Fellowship. This award helps writers who are doing important work. It shows that his writing is recognized as valuable and impactful. In 2020, he was honored as a Freedom Scholar. This award celebrates people who are leaders in social justice. These honors show how much his work means to many people.
