KEARNEY – The Buffalo County Historical Society will be honoring the Pawnee Scouts at Fort Kearney this weekend.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, the BCHS/Trails and Rails Museum will be honoring the descendants of the Pawnee Scouts, who served the U.S. Military at Fort Kearney from 1864-1871. The event marks as a historic return and long-overdue recognition of the Pawnee Scouts for their work with the U.S. Army to protect early settlers and the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. It’s estimated 1,000 Pawnees served as military allies.
There also will be a celebration of the 2023 harvest of Pawnee crops and of the 20th anniversary of the Pawnee Seed Preservation Society, a partnership between Nebraska growers and the Pawnee in Oklahoma to restore more than 20 Pawnee corn varieties.
Ronnie O’Brien of Shelton, coordinator of Nebraska growers for Pawnee Keeper-of-the-Seeds and preservation society Executive Director Deb Echo-Hawk, said, “If there is such a thing as current history, this is it. It’s been a privilege to help restore Pawnee corn in its native Nebraska soil.”
The day will be begin at 9 a.m. with history re-enactors and displays at the historical park until noon. Afterwards lunch will be available for purchase at the state recreation area. Then from 1-5 p.m., visitors can attend the recognition of Pawnee Scouts, some direct descendants plan to be present, and visit displays of Pawnee heritage crops.
In addition, there will also be an opportunity to for attendees to learn about Pawnee culture. There will be Pawnee drummers, singers, dancers, a performance by “Pawnee Scouts” a youth group, and presentation by Pat Leading Fox, Head Chief of the Pawnee Nasharo Council of Chiefs and a Pawnee Scout descendant.
The event will be held at Fort Kearny State Historical Park and the nearby State Recreation Area from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission fee, but a Nebraska State Park entry permit is required at both sites. The historical park and SRA are one mile apart on Highway 50A.
To learn about the Pawnee Scouts Battalion listen here, and to learn more about the Nebraska growers for Pawnee Keeper-of-the-Seeds with Ronnie O’Brian and the event listen here.
