Peru, Nebraska – Peru State College’s Native American History class took a 5 day/5 night tour of Native American sites in Nebraska and South Dakota over the 2018 midterm break, October 11-16.

“At each of the planned venues, Dr. Crook and I drew on our respective expertise in Nebraska and Native American to introduce students to the key persons, institutions and events that have comprised the historical experiences of Nebraska’s indigenous groups.” Dr. Kathi Nehls said.

“At several of the venues, students also had the opportunity to engage, perhaps for the first time, the region’s contemporary Native peoples and learn about the challenges they have confronted in the past and continue to confront today.”

Students traveled under the supervision of Nehls, Pfeifer and Crook, who drove 3 school vans. Thanks to a Bill Snyder Cultural Understanding Grant and a Student Enhancement Engagement Grant, the total cost (including transportation, lodging, 3 meals a day and admissions) was less than $300.

Student Bailey Dennis commented on the trip, “The Native American trip was a wonderful experience for me. Traveling around Nebraska and understanding the Native perspective better was very eye-opening.”

“The most memorable part of the trip was visiting Pine Ridge Reservation and the Wounded Knee Massacre site. I knew of it through history class, but to see it with my own two eyes changed my life forever. I will never forget it.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed my trip experience. I hope they continue to do it for future students because it was so educational and fun!

A brief itinerary documenting the trip can be found below.

Thursday afternoon – Oct. 11th leaving Peru State College at 2:30 PM

  • Genoa Indian School Museum – Genoa, NE
  • Overnight at Niobrara State Park (cabins)

Friday, Oct. 12th

  • Fort Niobrara and Fort Falls (near Valentine)
  • Whiteclay, NE
  • Wounded Knee and Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota
  • Overnight at Fort Robinson State Historic Park (officers’ adobe cabins)

Saturday, Oct. 13th

  • Tour of historic sites at Fort Robinson
  • Museum of the Fur Trade – Chadron
  • Driving tour of Chadron State College
  • Overnight at Fort Robinson

Sunday, Oct. 14th

  • Scottsbluff National Monument
  • Chimney Rock State Historic Site
  • Site of Harney Massacre
  • Windless Hill/ Ash Hollow
  • Overnight at Ogallala (Holiday Inn Express)

Monday, Oct. 15th

  • Massacre Canyon near Trenton, NE
  • Buffalo Bill Cody’s State Historic Park in North Platte
  • Pony Express Station in Gothenburg
  • Overnight at Lexington (Holiday Inn Express)

Tuesday, Oct. 16th

  • Fort Kearny State Historic Park – near Kearney
  • Kearney Arch
  • Homestead National Monument – near Beatrice
  • Return Peru State College on Tuesday, Oct 16th early evening

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Alexa Cline contributed to this release.