State Senator Allen Sperry and Richard Kneip during the 1970 campaign in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The Ben Reifel Papers document the career of Ben Reifel, the first Lakota Sioux to serve in the U.S. Congress, highlighting his work as a legislator, his tenure with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and his advocacy for Native American communities. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, audiovisual materials, memorabilia, and scrapbooks that provide insight into his contributions to public service and Native American affairs. As a pioneering Native American leader, Reifel played a key role in shaping policies related to education, healthcare, and economic development. This collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding his lasting impact on indigenous representation in government and South Dakota’s political landscape.
The activities series contains records of Reifel's involvement with various organizations and initiatives, including the Boy Scouts of America, the National Park Service, and the Dakota Territory Citizen Certificates project. It also covers his efforts in Native American affairs, congressional trips, and public events. The awards and honors section features certificates, plaques, medals, and other recognitions Reifel received throughout his career, including awards from the Boy Scouts of America, Sioux tribes, and South Dakota State University.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs materials include correspondence, newsletters, and newspaper clippings that document Reifel’s work in advancing Native American education, healthcare, and policy. The campaign series provides an in-depth look at his political career through financial records, advertisements, schedules, and materials related to the South Dakota Republican Party platforms.
Correspondence within the collection spans from Reifel’s tenure with the BIA through his congressional career, featuring letters exchanged with prominent political figures such as Barry Goldwater, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and George McGovern. The family history section contains biographical materials, educational records, military service documents, and personal writings that provide insight into his early life and career development.
Memorabilia in the collection includes campaign materials, presidential inauguration items, and personal artifacts such as a U.S. Annotated Code book with Reifel’s name embossed on the cover. The photographs offer a visual record of his political career, community interactions, travels, and personal life, particularly highlighting his work in Congress and his connections with Native American communities.
The audiovisual materials consist of campaign advertisements, legislative discussions, interviews, and speeches on healthcare, agriculture, and public service. These recordings also include public appearances and fundraising events. Scrapbooks primarily contain newspaper clippings and campaign materials that document Reifel’s public image and key political milestones.
Collected materials include books, periodicals, programs, and poetry reflecting Reifel’s diverse interests and professional pursuits. His speeches and writings consist of transcripts and drafts of addresses given at events such as Memorial Day ceremonies and commencement exercises.
Overall, the Ben Reifel Collection provides a comprehensive view of his contributions to public service, Native American advocacy, and South Dakota’s civic and political landscape. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to understand his legislative impact, community engagement, and personal legacy.

Supporters carrying signs and wearing hats in support of Frank Denholm for Congress during a rally.

People seated at tables at a Democratic Party campaign event.

Frank and Millie Denholm at a campaign event. They are carrying plates of food and have drinks in their hands.

Frank and Millie Denholm with a group of people at a campaign event.

Frank and Millie Denholm at a luncheon during the 1970 campaign. Frank is talking to a woman to his left.

Frank and Millie Denholm attending an event with other people.

Frank and Millie Denholm at an International Association of Machinists event. They are seated at a long table with other people.

Millie Denholm at an International Association of Machinists event. Frank Denholm is seated to her right.

Frank and Millie dancing at a campaign event.

Frank and Millie Denholm dancing at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm and his wife, Millie, are riding in a convertible in a parade during his 1968 campaign for Congress.

Frank Denholm and his wife, Millie, are riding in a convertible in a parade during his 1968 campaign for Congress.

Frank and Millie Denholm riding in a red convertible in the Augustana College Viking Days parade in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Frank is waving to parade spectators. There is a young girl standing in the back seat next to Frank.

Frank and Millie Denholm riding in a red convertible, waving at spectators in the Augustana College Viking Days parade in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Frank and Millie Denholm riding in a red convertible, waving at spectators in the Augustana College Viking Days parade in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Frank and Millie Denholm riding in a red convertible, waving at spectators in the Augustana College Viking Days parade in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Frank Denholm is accepting a cash donation from a supporter.

Frank Denholm and a farmer standing next to an International Farmall tractor during Denholm's 1970 campaign.

Frank Denholm and Bill Hauck at the 1970 State Democratic Convention in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Frank Denholm and campaign volunteers are blowing up balloons for an event.

George Mcgovern and Frank Denholm greeting people at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm at a campaign rally with Laurie Klinkel who is wearing an orange sash that reads: Denholm for Congress

Frank Denholm (left) and Richard Kneip (right) with a man and woman at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm and Richard Kneip at a campaign event

Frank Denholm at a campaign dinner. His is sitting with four other men.

Frank Denholm speaking to a group of people at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm is handing a man wearing a cowboy hat a sandwich at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm speaking at a campaign event in an auditorium. Richard Kneip is seated to Denholm's right. There is a man with an accordian sitting on the stage behind Denholm.

Frank Denholm at a campaign event. He is holding a ham while the audience is seated on chairs around him.

Frank Denholm speaking at a campaign event in an auditorium. Richard Kneip is seated to Denholm's right. There is a man with an accordian sitting on the stage behind Denholm.

Frank Denholm speaking to a group people seated at a tables at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm speaking at a campaign event in an auditorium. Millie Denholm is seat at the table to his left.

Group of people at a Frank Denholm campaign event.

Frank Denholm talking with a man at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm with a man at a campaign event. Denholm is running for the U.S. Congress 1st District seat in South Dakota.

Frank Denholm greeting people at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm at a podium during a campaign event. He is holding what looks like a flat bicycle intertube with writing on it.

Frank Denholm speaking to group of people at a campaign event. There are pinball machines in the background.

Frank Denholm speaking with voters at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm at a podium talking in a room full of people at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm at a campaign event. He is holding a bowl while the audience is seated on chairs around him.

Frank Denholm speaking at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm is shaking hands with a man at a campaign event. A woman is standing to the left. Another man has his hand on Denholm's shoulder.

Frank Denholm introducing the speaker at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm talking to constituents at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm speaking at a podium during a campaign event. There are others seated at the table beside him.

Frank Denholm at a South Dakota Democratic Party campaign rally standing next to a man.

Frank Denholm at a campaign event in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Two women are standing by a table with pies on it. There is a McGovern U.S. Senator hanging on the wall.

Frank Denholm at a campaign event in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He is holding a pie in his right hand that he is auctioning to the highest bidder. A woman is in the foreground.

Frank Denholm is holding a McGovern campaign hat while Evelyn Lord, Bob Chamberlain, Donna Kuhfeld look at it at a campaign event in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Frank Denholm at a campaign event in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He is holding a white frosted cake in his hand and appears to be auctioning the cake to the highest bidder.

Frank Denholm is holding a glass jar while standing at the podium at a Democratic Party campaign event. There are two men standing next to him.

Frank Denholm holds a microphone while a woman asks a question at a Democratic Party campaign event.

Frank Denholm is speaking at the podium at a Democratic Party campaign event.

Frank Denholm is holding a glass jar while standing at the podium at a Democratic Party campaign event.

Frank Denholm with supporters at a rally. They are wearing Denholm and McGovern hats.

Frank Denholm is speaking to a Rotary Interational gathering. Richard Kneip is seated at the table to the left of Kneip.

Frank Denholm with a group of men at a South Dakota Democratic Party campaign rally. They are standing in front of a McGovern sign. One man is holding a hat with McGovern printed on it.

Frank Denholm demonstrating his auctioning skills at a sale.

Frank Denholm talking with people at an event.

Frank Denholm at an event for South Dakota Senator George McGovern

Frank Denholm at an International Association of Machinists event. He is standing next to a man in front of a Local 862 sign.

Frank Denholm at the Democratic Party booth at the fari in Turner County, South Dakota. Mrs. Milton Jorgenson, Mrs. Don Jenter, Bill D. and Dick Koneig.

Frank Denholm at the South Dakota Democratic Party convention in Huron, South Dakota. He is holding his coat jacket under his arm and talking with Peder Ecker and another man.

Woman playing a guitar at a podium during a campaign event for Frank Denholm.

Man playing a guitar at a podium during a campaign event for Frank Denholm. Frank is seated to his left Millie Denholm is seated on the far left.

Man at podium speaking at a campaign event. Frank and Millie Denholm are seated to his left.

Frank Denholm talking with men surrounding him at a table during a campaign event. Millie Denholm is smiling.

Frank Denholm holding cake in one hand for Donna Kuhfeldwho is standing next to him. She is wearing a McGovern button on her lapel.

Frank Denholm greeting constituents in a café.

Frank Denholm being interview by Mr. Overturf.

Frank Denholm relaxing on a houseboat on a lake or river.

Frank Denholm on a International Farmall tractor plowing a field plowing during his 1970 campaign.

Frank Denholm with supporters while on the campaign trail. The group is from Chamberlain, South Dakota. They are wearing Denholm and McGovern hats.

Frank Denholm is on the campaign trail. He is in a barn with child. They are standing next to cow.

Frank Denholm visiting a retail business while campaigning in 1968. He is shaking hands with the business owner. A young boy is in the background.

Frank Denholm in a caf? visiting with constituents during his 1968 campaign.

Frank Denholm signing an autograph for an admirer at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm at podiuim giving a speech at an event. There are people seated to his right.

Frank Denholm standing at a podium during a campaign event.

Frank Denholm standing at a podium during a campaign event.

Frank Denholm standing on a highway, holding a sign, There is a car apporaching him on the road.

Frank Denholm talking with a constituent at an outdoor event.

Frank Dehnolm greeting a young supporter at a campaign event. A young man stands behind them.

Frank Denholm standing with two constituents at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm standing with two constituents at an outdoor event.

Frank Denholm is mingling with constituents at an outdoor event.

Frank Denholm with three senior citizens at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm with two constituents at a campaign event.

Frank Denholm standing with two constituents at a campaign event. His hands is on the woman's shoulders.

Frank Denholm in a room with three men.

George McGovern at a campaign event for Frank Denholm.

The Linda Hall Daschle Collection is composed of records created and collected by Linda Daschle during her career in aviation and her husband's career in the U.S. Congress. Included are awards and recognition that she received related to her work for various private and federal aviation associations and offices. Her collection also contains materials such as correspondence, press clips, and audio-visual recordings created during her career in the Federal Aviation Administration. Of note are letters from President Clinton and Vice President Gore, and remarks by Gore at the International Conference on Aviation Safety and Security in 1997.

Collected materials such as correspondence, trip schedules, weekly reports, and clippings from Tom Daschle's political career are included, as well as numerous audio-visual recordings of his speeches, interviews, and other activities. The remainder of the collection is comprised of plans, materials, and clippings of Tom Daschle's campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, particularly the races against Clint Roberts and James Abdnor.

Millie Denholm at a campaign event. She is smiling while people around her at applauding.

Millie Denholm and another woman standing in front of Democratic campaign headquarters.

Millie Denholm is working with campaign volunteers. There are balloons on a table Elect Frank Denholm for U.S. Congress.

Richard and Nancy Kneip sitting at a table with other people at a luncheon during his 1970 campaign.

Richard and Nancy Kneip sitting at a table with other people at a luncheon during his 1970 campaign.