150th anniversary recognition of Massacre Canyon batle

TRENTON, Neb. - On Aug. 5, 1873, a massive Sioux war party attacked a small band of Pawnee Indians just outside of what is now Trenton, resulting in the deaths of dozens of nomadic Pawnee.

In 1923, the citizens of Trenton sought to commemorate the Massacre Canyon battle in what was to become an annual celebration known as the Trenton Pow Wow.

Now, 100 years after the first official recognition, and 150 years after the bloody battle, Trenton plans to recognize the 150th anniversary of the event as part of the 2023 Trenton Harvest Festival.

The event will begin Friday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sramek Massacre Canyon Pow Wow site.

That site is north of Trenton on U.S. 25, turn at the roadside teepee.

Then, on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., the event will continue at the Massacre Canyon Visitor’s Center and Memorial, and at 7 p.m., Pawnee storytelling will take place at the Trenton Pow Wow Grounds.

The event is open to the public, and Pawnee Native Americans from Oklahoma will make appearances throughout the weekend.