NCIA Staff, along with Missing and Murdered Native Women and Children consultant Elizabeth Weidner and Nebraska State Patrol Captain Matt Sutter visited Ponca Powwow Grounds and Santee Nation on November 25. The staff and Captain Sutter were in the area to meet with tribal representatives about Missing and Murdered Native Women and Children research being conducted by NCIA and the State Patrol. Where in the area staff paid a visit to the Standing Bear sculpture on the hill above the Ponca Powwow grounds. On the way there we had to navigate the bridge work over the Niobrara River/Mormon Canal. It was amazing to see the devastation cause by this Spring flooding and gratifying to see that there is a temporary bridge across the river to allow passage from Niobrara to the Powwow grounds. The staff then traveled to Santee to visit the new Veteran’s memorial that will soon be officially dedicated. It looks very nice and looking forward to seeing some photos from the dedication and then next spring with the landscaping is complete. Staff wrapped up the day with a meeting with Santee Tribal leadership to discuss our work on LB 154, Missing Native Women and Children. The meeting was successful with a commitment to schedule community listening sessions in the near future.
