NEBRASKA’S FIRST PEOPLES

Three Native American tribes—the Omaha, Ponca, and Winnebago—have a long, storied presence in Nebraska’s First District. They offer profound, enduring richness to our state. Last year, in a deeply moving ceremony, we honored early civil rights pioneer, Ponca Chief Standing Bear, by unveiling a magnificent statue of him in the U.S. Capitol. That evocative sculpture now holds pride of place in Statuary Hall. I urge you to come see it.

Chief Standing Bear changed history in that transcendent moment when he raised his hand in an Omaha courtroom and said: “I am a man.

At the dedication of Chief Standing Bear at Statuary Hall. God made us both.” As we continue to honor his legacy, the Girls and Boys Scouts of America have designated an award earned by learning his history. In the House, we also continued to honor his legacy by passing H.R. 2490, which takes an important first step towards creating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail—to honor the Ponca Chief’s stand for civil liberty for all Americans.

The Ponca people have a long, deep connection to Nebraska. “Ponca” literally translates as “Those Who Lead.” Earlier this year, we asked the Navy to name a ship in their honor. It’s not yet accomplished, but the U.S. Navy Secretary confirmed that the name Ponca will be given every consideration for future ships.

I was honored this Fall to travel to the St. Augustine Indian Mission School groundbreaking in Winnebago. The powerful rhythm of the honor drum marked the groundbreaking for the new school dedicated to the educational development, cultural heritage, and spiritual well-being of Native children.

While in Winnebago, I visited the Twelve Clans Unity Hospital, which serves all Nebraska tribes. We’ve worked hard for the transition to tribal leadership of the hospital. Our work in the Appropriations Committee has been important to ensuring that the hospital retains adequate resources as it makes this transition.

Meeting with Winnebago Tribal Chairwoman Victoria Kitcheyan at the Twelve Clans Unity Hospital.

Twelves Clans Unity Hospital benefited from the $2.3 million Paycheck Protection Program loan as part of the CARES Act. In my visit with tribal leaders, they shared how helpful the PPP has been to them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have also been active in working to help prevent and treat diabetes through our support of the Special Diabetes Program for Native Americans at the Indian Health Service. Through my work as Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee of Agriculture, I was able to direct new resources to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. This commits the Department of Agriculture to work more closely with tribes on growing and accessing nutritious foods that are produced locally by the tribes themselves. Part of this work is restoring foods integral to the traditional Native American diet.

Congratulations to St. Augustine School in Winnebago. The powerful rhythm of the honor drum marked the groundbreaking ceremony for the new school dedicated to the educational development, cultural heritage, and spiritual wellbeing of Native children. Meeting with John Snowball, Vice Chairman of the Winnebago Tribal Council, in Statuary Hall.