Among the many sesquicentennial anniversary events and programs, the Pawnee at Fort Kearny: Share the History, Share the Harvest on October 7 seeks to shed light on a different perspective on the region during the nineteenth century. Despite the widely celebrated pioneering history here in Kearney throughout the 150 years of incorporation, the history of the Pawnee is largely forgotten or negligibly told. As a dispossessed indigenous people from their homeland in Nebraska, the Pawnee were forcibly relocated to present-day Oklahoma for American interests related to the manifest destiny ideals on which Kearney was founded. Now in 2023, this event honors the contributions of the Pawnee Scouts based at Fort Kearny and the importance of the Pawnee corn as they continue into the twenty-first century.

(Designed by Warren Pratt Jr. of Pawnee, Oklahoma) 

America’s history is a tapestry woven with the stories of countless heroes, but sometimes, amidst the grand narratives, certain heroes are forgotten or overlooked. The Pawnee Scouts, who played a vital role in protecting pioneers, freighters, and railroad workers during the great westward migration of the mid-19th century, fall into this category. Their story is one of resilience, bravery, and service, yet it has largely remained hidden from the broader American narrative.

Head Chief Pat Leading Fox of the Pawnee Nation Chiefs Council aptly points out, “Those Scouts were the very first in our tribe to serve in the military, so we hold our veterans on a high pedestal, almost like chiefs. We hold them up in high esteem for what they did.” These brave individuals were instrumental in safeguarding the settlers as they ventured into the unknown territory of Nebraska.

Thankfully, this oversight is finally being rectified as part of Kearney’s yearlong 150th-anniversary celebration. On October 7th, the Pawnee Scouts’ service will be formally acknowledged in a momentous event. The day will be filled with historical reenactments, engaging activities, and fascinating displays at Fort Kearny State Historical Park, located southeast of Kearney. In the afternoon, the nearby state recreation area will come alive with Pawnee singers, drummers, dancers, and an enlightening Native harvest exhibit celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Pawnee Seed Preservation Society.

Schedule:
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Living History Exhibit (State Historical Park)
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch available for purchase
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Pawnee event (State Recreation Area)

This is a free event with a valid Nebraska state park entry permit

One of the most remarkable aspects of this celebration is the revival of over 20 Pawnee corn varieties, thanks to the partnership between Nebraska gardeners and the Pawnee in Oklahoma. Ronnie O’Brien of Shelton, a leader among Nebraska growers, aptly notes, “Generations of Pawnee who had known their corn as only some kernels in jars for display have seen it return to its historic role as healthy food.” This initiative is not only a testament to the cultural heritage of the Pawnee but also an example of how communities can come together to preserve and celebrate their traditions.

The story of the Pawnee Scouts is one that deserves recognition and remembrance. They arrived at Fort Kearny during the tumultuous years of the Civil War and remained there for seven years, serving as military allies. Their intimate knowledge of the terrain, familiarity with Lakota and Cheyenne fighting tactics, and their remarkable endurance in battle made them invaluable as white settlers and American railroads moved westward. In fact, many of the Scouts, including Leading Fox’s own grandfather, received basic training at Fort Kearny, which was their home post.

Yet, it’s disheartening to note that the story of the Pawnee Scouts has mostly been passed down through families and is not a part of mainstream education. As Leading Fox rightly observes, “I think it should be. My children know all about the Scouts and about our culture and our ways.” This event is an opportunity to bridge this gap and share this significant piece of American history with a wider audience.

The original Fort Kearny, interestingly, was built along the Missouri River near Nebraska City and was later relocated to the banks of the Platte River, close to present-day Kearney. Between 1848 and 1866, nearly 350,000 people passed by the fort as they embarked on the Oregon-California Trail. The Union Pacific Railroad crews also worked tirelessly in the area as they laid the tracks for the transcontinental railroad. Fort Kearny, with its vast footprint of 10 square miles, served as a military post until 1871 when its buildings were torn down, and the land, once Pawnee territory, was offered to homesteaders.

The closure of Fort Kearny accelerated the Pawnee’s relocation to Oklahoma, a painful chapter in their history. This is a story that must be told, as Broc Anderson, community engagement director for the Buffalo County Historical Society, emphasizes. The event on October 7th aims to shed light on this different perspective of the region’s history while honoring the contributions of the Pawnee Scouts and the significance of Pawnee corn.

Despite the widely celebrated pioneering history in Kearney, the history of the Pawnee remains largely forgotten or negligibly told, as Anderson laments. Their forced relocation from their homeland in Nebraska to present-day Oklahoma was driven by American interests tied to manifest destiny ideals. The Pawnee faced numerous challenges during this period, including limited access to buffalo hunts and constant attacks by the Lakota and Cheyenne, who had received arms from the U.S. government.

One of the darkest moments in this chapter was the ambush of the Pawnee on August 5th, 1873, by Lakota warriors near Trenton in southwest Nebraska, a place now known as Massacre Canyon. For the Pawnee, this event was the last straw, as they had already ceded most of their Nebraska land to the U.S. government. It was a painful and difficult decision for their chiefs to make, but it marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Pawnee Nation.

Despite the challenges and hardships faced by the Pawnee, they persevered. Their population, which had dwindled to 604 by the early 1900s, now boasts over 3,000 people. However, their journey was not without struggles. Pawnee veterans faced difficulties in obtaining military pensions after their battalion officially disbanded in 1877, underscoring the complexities of their history.

Fort Kearny State Park, which stands as a testament to the historical significance of the area, was established thanks to the efforts of the Fort Kearny Memorial Association. They purchased 40 acres of the old military grounds in 1929 and donated it to the state. This precious land was dedicated as a state historical park in 1959. Today, as you walk through this hallowed ground, you can’t help but feel the echoes of history and the footsteps of the Pawnee Scouts, along with other soldiers, settlers, and pioneers preparing to embark on their westward journeys in search of gold and homesteads.

Gene Hunt, the longtime Fort Kearny State Park superintendent, has spent his entire life in parts of the Pawnee homeland in central Nebraska. He reflects on the significance of this recognition for the Pawnee Scouts on October 7th, anticipating it to be the second most important event of his career. The first, he mentions, was Fort Kearny’s 150th-anniversary celebration in 1998, which held a special place in his heart as it honored veterans like his dad, uncle, and mentor. However, there was a glaring omission during that celebration—the Pawnee Scouts were not included.

Hunt credits the relationships built through the Pawnee Seed Preservation Society project with making the upcoming event possible. Seeing the descendants of Pawnee Scouts honored at Fort Kearny could elevate the October 7th event to a tie for first place in Hunt’s career highlights.

The story of the Pawnee Scouts is a powerful reminder of the unsung heroes who have played pivotal roles in shaping our nation’s history. Their contributions, struggles, and resilience deserve recognition and remembrance. As we celebrate Kearney’s 150th anniversary, let us also honor the Pawnee Scouts and their indelible mark on the American West. Their story, like the land they protected, is a part of the rich tapestry of our nation’s history.

Read more about The Pawnee Battalion in Buffalo Tales, July/August Vol. 46, No. 4 “Major North told me that I had saved them when I came upon them”