By Bob Walsh
The Genoa Industrial Indian School
The Genoa Industrial
Indian School was located at Genoa, Nebraska 100 years ago, about 90 miles west
of Omaha. Archeologists are now on the grounds searching for grave
sites of the old, now lost cemetery. Back in the day the federal
government operated more than 400 "schools" (largely indoctrination
centers) to attempt to strip their native culture from native children
and integrate them into mainstream Anglo society.
The
Genoa school opened in 1888 and closed down in 1931. It is believed
that about 80 bodies are buried at the now-lost cemetery. The locals
have been active for years in trying to locate the remains. The use of
cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar has allowed them to locate an
area which seems to be likely.
Assuming
the search is successful the State Archeology Office and the Nebraska
Commission on Indian Affairs will decide what to do with the remains.
They could rebury the remains more or less in place with an appropriate
monument. They could also return the remains to the tribes for burial.
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