Unique opportunity helps Park students learn about Nebraska’s Indigenous history

Toward the end of the spring semester, dozens of Park Middle School students deeply explored a facet of Nebraska’s recent history. 

More than 100 Park eighth-grade students visited the Genoa Indian Industrial School built on the Pawnee reservation, located approximately 100 miles northwest of Lincoln. During its operation from 1884 to 1934, the school enrolled over 4,300 children representing over forty Indian nations. The school in Genoa was one of more than 300 Indian boarding schools established by the U.S. government and churches to force the cultural assimilation of Native American children. 

Park eighth-grade student Alexander has a unique connection with the boarding school. His great-great-grandmother attended Genoa. He used this opportunity to discover more of his family’s history. 

“It was kind of surreal, the fact that my ancestors went there and I'm here now too,” Alexander added.

The field trip was optional and students participating were required to use resources provided by the Genoa Digital Reconciliation Project for research before attending. Students studied the project’s archives to know more about the lives of the Native children who went to Genoa. Students could learn from various topics including arriving at the school, discipline and punishment. Then, the students had to write an essay or do a presentation to display what they learned. 

“I think the main thoughts going through my head were, ‘I can't believe they would do this to people,’” Park eighth-grade student Khadeja said. 

The visit directly tied with Lincoln Public Schools’ social studies curriculum on Native American life after the Civil War. Park educators wanted to use the experience to help students gain greater insight into American history and its impacts today. 

“A lot of people have no idea that this happened in Nebraska. While learning about this past may be uncomfortable, it is crucial for students to understand if we want to ensure a brighter future for everyone,” Park social studies teacher Ben Czapla said.

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