Archaeologists are embarking on a mission to uncover the truth behind a long-standing mystery surrounding the Native American boarding school, where the remains of numerous deceased children have been missing for decades. Their investigation commences in a field located in central Nebraska, which was once part of the vast campus of the Genoa Indian Industrial School, a century ago.
Equipped with shovels, trowels, and various other tools, the team of experts is set to commence their search on Monday at the suspected burial ground, believed to be the cemetery of the Genoa Indian Industrial School. This institution was one among over 400 Native American boarding schools established nationwide, aiming to assimilate Indigenous individuals into white culture by forcibly separating children from their families and severing their ties to their heritage.
Originating in 1884, the school, situated approximately 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of Omaha, housed nearly 600 students from over 40 tribes across the country at its peak. However, in 1931, the institution ceased operations, and over time, most of its structures were demolished
For numerous years, the tight-knit community of Genoa, along with the assistance of Native Americans, researchers, and state officials, has been tirelessly searching for the whereabouts of a neglected cemetery. It is believed that the remains of approximately 80 students are interred there.
Judi gaiashkibos, the executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, whose mother attended the school in the late 1920s, has dedicated herself to this pursuit for an extended period and was scheduled to travel to Genoa on Monday. She acknowledged the emotional difficulty of spending time in a community where Native Americans endured immense suffering. However, she emphasized that this crucial search can contribute to healing and amplify the voices of the children who were lost.
Assorted newspaper clippings, records, and a letter penned by a student provide evidence that at least 86 students lost their lives at the school, predominantly due to diseases like tuberculosis and typhoid. However, one death was attributed to an accidental shooting. While researchers have managed to identify 49 of the deceased children, they have yet to ascertain the names of the remaining 37 students. Some of the children’s bodies were returned to their respective homes, while others are believed to have been laid to rest on the school grounds in a location that has long faded from memory.
In an endeavor to locate the cemetery, trained dogs capable of detecting the faint scent of decomposing remains were deployed to the area last summer. Their signals indicated the discovery of a burial site in a narrow strip of land bordered by a farm field, railroad tracks, and a canal.
In November of last year, a team employed ground-penetrating radar, which revealed an area consistent with graves. However, it is important to note that conclusive evidence can only be obtained through excavation, according to Dave Williams, Nebraska’s state archaeologist.
The excavation process is expected to span several days. Williams explained that they will carefully remove the soil to verify whether the features identified by the ground-penetrating radar are indeed indicative of graves. Once this has been determined, they will proceed to investigate whether any human remains are still present within the identified area.
In the event that human remains are discovered, the State Archaeology Office will collaborate with the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs to decide on the next course of action. Possibilities include reburial in the field with the establishment of a memorial or the exhumation and repatriation of the bodies to the respective tribes.
Williams mentioned that DNA analysis could potentially shed light on the region of the country each child originated from, although identifying individual tribes would present a considerable challenge.
The U.S. federal government is now scrutinizing the boarding school system more closely. Led by Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet secretary and a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, the U.S. Interior Department released an initial report in 2022 and is currently working on a second report that will provide additional details.
