Dr. Robert Voss, an assistant professor of history at Northwest Missouri State University, presented at the Union Pacific Railroad’s symposium in Omaha, Nebraska, Sept. 12-15.

The symposium recognized the impacts of railroad construction on Native Americans and the ongoing importance of railroads in Native America. Voss’ presentation, titled “Sophisticated Capitalism: Native Success Resisting and Regulating Railroads in the Indian Territory,” discussed the construction and establishment of railroads in eastern Oklahoma on the Cherokee and Choctaw nations.

“The highlight of the symposium was connecting with others who study similar fields and being able to compare our research with the intention of working together in the future,” Voss said. “Having the support of the Union Pacific Railroad as we discuss ways that railroads affected native societies reveals the importance of our work as we move forward. There was a general consensus of the presenters of the value of this meeting and we have intentions of continuing what we began at this symposium.”

Voss, who joined the Northwest faculty in 2013, focuses his research on capitalism in the late 19th century, specifically Native American interactions with coal mining and railroads. He also has presented at the International Business History Conference and Western History Association annual meetings.

He has doctorate and master’s degrees in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from Simpson University in Redding, California.