Earlier this year, the Berlin Museum in germany contacted Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) regarding 65 items that Omaha tribal member Francis LaFlesche sent the museum in 1898. The items have resided there since. LaFlesche, who was the son of a traditional chief and co-author of the 27th Annual Bureau of American Ethnology Report (1905), also provided the museum with detailed information on each of the items. None are considered sacred or ceremonial. What he sent were items the Omahas used in daily life. The items and his accompanying descriptions provide insight into what life was like for the Omahas during the late 1800s, well into the reservation era.

Elisabeth Seyerl, a representative from the Berlin Museum, visited Omaha tribal community members and hoped to meet LaFlesche’s descendants. Of course, there are quite a few. Fortunately, a couple of descendants are students attending NICC. The college set up a special reception for Seyerl to meet students, faculty, and tribal members and to display photos of the museum’s Omaha collection. After a successful meeting, Seyerl asked the college to identify a few students who would like to travel to Berlin to assist with a new exhibit of the Omaha collection. The exhibit will be on display at the re-opening of the renovated museum, which has been relocated to an old castle. The Omaha Exhibit is scheduled for early 2020.

Two faculty, a community member, and three students were invited to Berlin to see these items and to provide input on the proposed exhibit. It is an opportunity of a lifetime for all six people representing both NICC and the Omaha community, as the Berlin Museum has covered all expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and even passports.

In selecting students for the trip, NICC set high standards. All had to be students in good standing with intentions of graduating from the college. They had to be comfortable in representing both NICC and the Omaha tribe. Upon their return, the students will provide a special public presentation of their experiences for NICC and the tribal community.