Ponca Cemetery
Sacred Resting Place
The Ponca Cemetery
The Ponca Cemetery was established in 1880, and is located near the Ponca Community Building, and one of our bison herds views it daily. There are still members being buried on this traditional site.
Plans to expand to the east are in place to prevent overlapping of unmarked graves. The Cemetery Committee has plans to work with Tribal Members in 2012 to mark known graves with names and dates. The newly placed sign designates, for the first time, where many of our ancestors rest.
The top of the hill marks where the first repatriation took place for those of our ancestors that were in museums before being reburied here. There was repatriation later, and another one was done in the fall of 2012.
Our Heritage
A Resting Place on
Native Soil
The cemetery sits on traditional Ponca homelands, surrounded by prairie and watched over by the buffalo herd that grazes nearby. The newly placed sign designates, for the first time, where many of our ancestors rest.
The top of the hill marks where the first repatriation took place for ancestors that were once held in museums before being respectfully reburied here on their homelands.
Stewardship
Cemetery Committee
Initiatives
The Cemetery Committee continues to work alongside Tribal Members to honor, preserve, and protect this sacred ground.
Eastern Expansion
Plans to expand the cemetery eastward are in place to prevent overlapping of unmarked graves and ensure space for future generations.
Marking Known Graves
Working with Tribal Members to mark known graves with names and dates, restoring identity and recognition to those laid to rest.
Repatriation
The first repatriation took place atop the hill; another was completed in the fall of 2012, bringing more ancestors home.