About Us

Prairie Winds is unique in its vision that students, teachers, and professional authors are part of the same community of writers, and that all have significant things to say. Underneath everything Prairie Winds does is the philosophy that students and teachers should see themselves as genuine writers, part of a tradition and specific locale. For Prairie Winds, locales have been remarkably diverse, scattered across South Dakota and the Great Plains, including big towns and small, reservation communities, farm and ranch country, and the Black Hills. We invite you to join us.

Prairie Winds publications have always featured artwork, as well as writing. In 2007 we will enhance that part of the project, with greater emphasis on visual arts at our events and on this website.

Kathy Huse-Wika developed Prairie Winds within the South Dakota Department of Education, moved with the project to Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, and led all day-to-day activities as Prairie Winds director for 25 years. In 2001 her work was recognized with the Governor's Award for Outstanding Service to Arts Education. Kathy remains a key advisor to Prairie Winds. The South Dakota Arts Council is the project's chief funding source.