The Germans from Russia Pioneers of the Central Dakotas Chautauqua Presentation

A native of Strasburg, ND, Michael M. Miller grew up speaking both the English and German languages. Since 1967, he has been on the faculty and staff at the North Dakota State University Libraries, Fargo. In 1987, he was compiler of the book, "Researching the Germans from Russia." He is a graduate of Valley City State University with two master's degrees from the University of North Dakota. He is a life member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and the Germans from Russia Heritage Society. Michael serves on the board of the Germans from Russia Cultural Preservation Foundation.

Since June, 1994, he has guided tour groups to the former German villages near Odessa, Ukraine. In June, 1999, Miller was in Odessa and Stuttgart, Germany, with the sixth Journey to the Homeland Tour sponsored by the NDSU Libraries.

He has been executive producer with Bob Dambach in the production of two major television documentaries on the Germans from Russia. These include the award-winning program, "The Germans from Russia: Children of the Steppe, Children of the Prairie" and in 2000, "Schmeckfest: Food Traditions of the Germans from Russia." In 2001, he will be involved with production of a third major video documentary on the wrought iron crosses of the northern plains. Future plans include a video documentary on settlement of the German-Russians who came to the central North Dakota including the Rugby, Harvey and Devils Lake area.

In October, 1999, Miller attended the 3rd International Ethnic Film Festival in Krakow, Poland. The Germans from Russia documentary was selected as one of twenty-six finalists at the event and the only program selected from North America. Miller is also an accomplished photographer of Dakota, northern plains and historic works.

For further information, contact Michael M. Miller, NDSU Libraries, Fargo, ND (Tel: 701-231-8416; E-mail: Michael.Miller@ndsu.edu).