Native American Reservations of Nebraska

Native Americans have been in the United States for approximately 30,000 years. Paleo-Indians are the ancestors of Native Americans. They came from Siberia and crossed the land bridge known as “Beringia”. This connected Asia to North America, and more specifically Alaska. In the 1800's the United States government made an official policy to confine each tribe to an area of land called a reservation. Tribes including the Omaha, Oto, Missouri, Pawnee, Arapaho, and Cheyenne all ceded their land in Nebraska to the U.S. government in the 1800's.

At least 15 historical tribes have hunted, lived in, or occupied territory in the current state of Nebraska.

There are currently 6 establishments of Native American Reservations in Nebraska. These include Omaha, Winnebago, Ponca, Iowa, Santee Sioux, and Sac and Fox

The Native Americans had been displaced by the United States government for years. Now, they have their own reservations in which the U.S. government cannot tax and cannot forcefully move them.

The Omaha Reservation was established by a treaty on March 16th, 1854. With the Indian presidents approval, it is located in the Northeast part of Nebraska. It is located mainly in Thurston County but has some smaller sections in Cuming and Burt county as well. The reservation has 12,421 acres of land which is about 19.4 square miles.

The Winnebago Reservation was established by an act on February 21st, 1863, then again by treaty on March 8th 1865, the finally by an act on June 22nd, 1874. It is located in the Northeast part of Nebraska and is in the town of Winnebago as well as the city of Emerson. The reservation sits on 1,711 acres or about 2 square miles.

The Ponca tribe’s reservation sits in the northern part of Nebraska. It was established by a treaty on March 12th 1858, and then again on March 10th, 1865. Its was finalized by an act on March 2nd, 1899. The tribe’s offices are located in Niobrara. The reservation sits on 27,000 acres of land which is about 43 square miles.

The Iowa tribe of Kansas and Nebraska’s reservation sits in the lower southeast part of Nebraska crossing into Kansas. Its in Richardson County in Nebraska. The tribe was relocated here under the Platte Purchase in 1836. It has about 12,000 acres which is 18.75 square miles.

The Santee Sioux tribe’s reservation is known as the Niobrara Reservation. It is in near the Ponca tribe as it is in the northeast. It was established by an act on March 3rd, 1863. Their tribal offices are located in Niobrara and the reservation lands are in Knox County. The reservation takes up 41,000 acres or about 64 square miles.

The Sac and Fox reservation is located in the Southeast corner of Nebraska. It is the reservation for the Sauk and Meskawki and was established in 1882. The reservation takes up 16,640 acres which is about 16.4 square miles.

The Native American tribes have endured so much within the history of the United States. Currently the U.S. recognizes as each as a sovereign nation which means they can act as they please as a nation without outside interference. Being uprooted as a tribe around 200 years ago was not easy, but now they are thriving on reservations where they can practice their customs and live their culture without worry.