35th Annual recognition and Remembrance Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nickie Drozd

Genoa U.S. Indian School Foundation

Phone: (308) 991-5360

35th Annual Recognition and Remembrance Day to Honor Students of Genoa U.S. Indian School

GENOA, NE – August 9, 2025 – The Genoa U.S. Indian School Foundation invites the public to the 35th Annual Recognition and Remembrance Day, a day of reflection, education, and cultural celebration, held on Saturday, August 9, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the St. Rose of Lima Community Center in Genoa, Nebraska.

This annual event honors the students who attended the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School and recognizes the enduring strength and resilience of Native communities. The day will feature a rich program of speakers, cultural presentations, and community sharing.

Event Schedule:

10:00 AM – Welcome and Opening Ceremony by Ronnie Kemp and sons of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
10:15 AM – Student Presentation: Yadfriel Colindres Fonseca, Ashlin George, and Tom Tran of Hastings High School present their award-winning History Day website project: “Love Thy Neighbor: The Effects of the Genoa Indian Industrial School on Native American Rights.”
10:45 AM – Flag Presentation: Honoring the tribes that attended the school through their flags and histories
11:15 AM – Memorial Ceremony: A time of remembrance for the children and families impacted by the Genoa Indian School and individuals connected to the Genoa U.S. Indian School Foundation
11:25 AM – Scholarship Presentation: Announcement of the Genoa U.S. Indian School Foundation/Wolfe Family Scholarship recipient
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Lunch: Enjoy Indian Tacos by R-Eatz of Winnebago (Free for honored guests, $12 for others)
1:00 PM – Keynote Speaker: Jerome Kills Small*
2:30 PM – 2025 Genoa Memorial Walk Presentation: Nathan Phillips of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
3:00 PM – Closing Ceremony by Ronnie Kemp and sons followed by Ice Cream Social

All-Day Activities (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM):

Tours of the Genoa U.S. Indian School Interpretive Center
Access to the Research Center
Native Vendor and Educational Booths – Native crafters, artisans, and organizations, please contact Nickie at (308) 991-5360 to reserve a booth.

**A renowned Oglala Lakota storyteller, educator, and cultural advocate, Mr. Kills Small, will delve into the Native American storytelling tradition and share his personal experiences related to the boarding school era. This storytelling program is one of approximately 300 offered through the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau, the largest humanities speakers bureau in the nation. With over 165 acclaimed scholars, writers, musicians, storytellers, and folklorists, the Bureau offers programs on topics ranging from pioneer heritage to ethics, law, and multicultural issues. Programs are available to any nonprofit organization in Nebraska and typically last 30 minutes to an hour, followed by a Q&A session. Frequent hosts include schools, libraries, museums, historical societies, and cultural organizations. For more information or to book a speaker, visit www.humanitiesnebraska.org or contact Humanities Nebraska at (402) 474-2131 or info@humanitiesnebraska.org.

This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to join in honoring the memory of the students and families affected by the Genoa Indian School and to celebrate the strength of Native cultures and communities.

About the Genoa U.S. Indian School Foundation:

The Foundation is dedicated to collecting and preserving the history of the Genoa Indian Industrial School, promoting awareness and healing. Learn more at genoaindianschoolmuseum.org or Facebook.