“A Dancing People: Powwow Culture on the Southern Plains,” by Clyde Ellis, associate professor of history, is a finalist for the contemporary non-fiction prize awarded annually by the Western Writers of America. Called the Spur Awards, they have been given annually since 1953 for distinguished writing about the American West. Winners of Spur Awards in previous years include Larry McMurtry for “Lonesome Dove,” Michael Blake for “Dances With Wolves,” Glendon Swarthout for “The Shootist,” and Tony Hillerman for “Skinwalker.” Winners will be announced in April. The book was also a finalist for the Oklahoma Center for the Book’s non-fiction prize.