Things That Matter: Greg Olson, The Amazing Life of Jeffrey Deroine

Schedule

Wed Apr 15 2026 at 05:30 pm to 06:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

3801 Ponderosa St, Columbia, MO, United States, Missouri 65201 | Columbia, MO

Advertisement
The Amazing Life of Jeffrey Deroine: Enslaved Trader, Prairie Diplomat, and Missouri Settler
Join us for the Things That Matter speaker series as Greg Olson explores the remarkable life of Jeffrey Deroine, a man who navigated the worlds of enslavement, diplomacy, and settlement in 19th-century Missouri. Born into slavery in St. Louis, Deroine worked as a fur trader for his owner, Joseph Robidoux, before the Ioway Indians purchased his freedom so he could serve as their interpreter. He traveled to Europe with 14 Ioway delegates for an exhibit tour, later worked with the Otoe-Missouria people, and eventually settled in St. Joseph, where he became a prominent property owner.
Greg Olson, an independent researcher and author based in Columbia, Missouri, brings Deroine’s story to life. Olson is recognized for his scholarship on Native American history in Missouri and the Midwest, with multiple award-winning publications including The Ioway in Missouri and Indigenous Missourians: Ancient Societies to the Present. The Amazing Life of Jeffrey Deroine is his eighth book, continuing his dedication to uncovering the rich histories of Missouri’s Indigenous and early settler communities.
Things That Matter is a free, conversational-style speaker series hosted monthly at the Montminy Gallery inside the Boone County History & Culture Center in Columbia, Missouri. Designed to spark meaningful conversations, the series features real people sharing stories that connect us to our community’s past and present.
Free admission and open to the public.
The Things That Matter series is presented by LaBrunerie Financial. Financial assistance for this program has been provided by the City of Columbia, Office of Cultural Affairs.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

3801 Ponderosa St, Columbia, MO, United States, Missouri 65201

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Boone County History & Culture Center

Host or Publisher Boone County History & Culture Center

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Columbia

Learning from Lidar: Exploring the Missouri River's Relief
Tue, 14 Apr at 07:00 pm Learning from Lidar: Exploring the Missouri River's Relief

Reichman Pavilon

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
April Scavenger Hunt in The District
Wed, 15 Apr at 01:00 pm April Scavenger Hunt in The District

11 S 10th St, Columbia, MO, United States, Missouri 65201

MU Jazz Combo @ Birdie\u2019s Deli for Jazz Appreciation Month!
Wed, 15 Apr at 04:00 pm MU Jazz Combo @ Birdie’s Deli for Jazz Appreciation Month!

21 N 10th St, Columbia, MO, United States, Missouri 65201

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Soulja Boy
Wed, 15 Apr Soulja Boy

Rose Music Hall

CALENDAR
Pat Metheny
Wed, 15 Apr at 06:00 pm Pat Metheny

Missouri Theater - Columbia

ART THEATRE
NEW ROMANTICS: STAR SHIPPED by Cat Sebastian
Wed, 15 Apr at 06:30 pm NEW ROMANTICS: STAR SHIPPED by Cat Sebastian

Skylark Bookshop

ART THEATRE
Sounds of Time: Historic Music of Asia
Wed, 15 Apr at 07:00 pm Sounds of Time: Historic Music of Asia

The Missouri Theater

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
CoMo Cooks Shared Kitchen Orientation
Thu, 16 Apr at 12:30 pm CoMo Cooks Shared Kitchen Orientation

14 Business Loop 70 East, Columbia, MO, USA

FOOD-DRINKS HEALTH-WELLNESS
PMP Exam Prep In-Person Course in Columbia, MO
Tue, 16 Sep at 09:00 am PMP Exam Prep In-Person Course in Columbia, MO

Regus

WORKSHOPS NONPROFIT
PMP Program In-Person Training in Columbia, MO
Tue, 16 Sep at 09:00 am PMP Program In-Person Training in Columbia, MO

Regus

WORKSHOPS NONPROFIT
PMP Certification Bootcamp | 4 Days to Get Certified in Columbia, MO
Tue, 18 Nov at 09:00 am PMP Certification Bootcamp | 4 Days to Get Certified in Columbia, MO

303 N Stadium Blvd

WORKSHOPS PERFORMANCES
CAPM Certification In-Person Training in Columbia, MO
Wed, 17 Dec at 09:00 am CAPM Certification In-Person Training in Columbia, MO

303 N Stadium Blvd

WORKSHOPS NONPROFIT
Everyday Safety and Awareness Seminar
Sun, 12 Apr at 03:00 pm Everyday Safety and Awareness Seminar

Regional Economic Development Inc (REDI)

WORKSHOPS
Leader Spree 2026: A One Day Leadership Conference
Tue, 14 Apr at 08:30 am Leader Spree 2026: A One Day Leadership Conference

The Kitchen Grill & Games

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
2026 Kick off meet
Sat, 18 Apr at 08:00 am 2026 Kick off meet

The Crossing, Columbia, MO

PMI-CPMAI\u00ae Weekend Training \u2013 Project in AI Certification in Columbia, MO
Sat, 18 Apr at 09:00 am PMI-CPMAI® Weekend Training – Project in AI Certification in Columbia, MO

303 N Stadium Blvd

WORKSHOPS
BOMH Annual Meeting for Artists and Creative Minded People
Sat, 18 Apr at 09:00 am BOMH Annual Meeting for Artists and Creative Minded People

Boone Electric Cooperative

MEETUPS ART
Best of Missouri Hands ANNUAL MEETING
Sat, 18 Apr at 09:00 am Best of Missouri Hands ANNUAL MEETING

1413 Rangeline Street, Columbia Missouri 65201

MEETUPS ART
CoMo Retro Game Convention 2026
Sat, 18 Apr at 10:00 am CoMo Retro Game Convention 2026

CoMo Retro Game Convention

SPORTS TOURNAMENTS
Insider's Hour with the Show-Me Institute
Thu, 23 Apr at 11:30 am Insider's Hour with the Show-Me Institute

Country Club of Missouri

What's Happening Next in Columbia?

Discover Columbia Events