BEK News

Bill Palanuk has spent over 35 years on the airwaves in both Dakotas. Born and raised in Western North Dakota, his voice has arguably been on every radio station in the state. From Chad Berger Bucking Bulls to a mortgage company and many other clients, listeners will recognize his distinct voice. That, mixed with passion for all things cowboy, viewers will get to share Palanuk’s glimpse of the history of our state. My mother founded the Ukrainian Cultural Institute in Dickinson and wrote the book "Ukrainians in ND: In Their Voices". As a small boy, I would accompany her as she interviewed the original immigrants who came to the United States from Ukraine. She was also a journalist who was invited by Harold Schafer to see the most ‘amazing spectacle the badlands has ever produced’. With that, I also accompanied her to the first ever performance of The Medora Musical” stated Palanuk. “I’ve had a front row seat to passionate people who insisted on promoting the history of our state. I feel I have been preparing for this show my entire life! But please, make no mistake about it, the star of ‘Dakota Cowboy’ is not me, it’s The NDCHF. I am simply the jockey riding that horse at the moment and I am going to ride it as fast and hard as I can!” Palanuk’s voice can also be heard on The Talking Trail App which shares the history of displays such as those at The Fargo Air Museum, The Enchanted Highway, The National Buffalo Museum, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and many, many others. ‘Dakota Cowboy’ will focus on the many moving pieces which collectively come together in the mission statement of The NDCHF which reads: The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame strives to preserve the history and promote the culture of North Dakota’s Native American, Ranching, & Rodeo communities by informing and educating people of all nations and cultures about the state’s rich and colorful western heritage. The character and legacy of the American West comes to life inside the organization’s Center of Western Heritage & Cultures: Native American, Ranching and Rodeo located in Medora, North Dakota. From upcoming events to featured inductees, entertaining stories from inductees, rodeo royalty, High School and Jr. High champions, featured guests and so much more will all be part of “Dakota Cowboy”.With the numerous activities happening all season long in Historic Medora, viewers will see some of the other things they can participate in while visiting The NDCHF. The show will also be charting the progress of The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library slated to open in 2025. And from The Medora Musical, Bully Pulpit Golf Course, Point to Point Park and all the other attractions at North Dakota’s Number One Tourist Spot, there will never be a shortage of fun, entertaining and informative content on “Dakota Cowboy”!