Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe in Miami, Oklahoma, has a deep connection to Kansas, particularly the town of Fairway, where the Shawnee Indian Manual Labor Boarding School once stood. This historical site holds significant meaning for the Shawnee people, as it represents a chapter of their past filled with pain and resilience.
The Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site is now under the ownership of the Kansas Historical Society and officials from the city of Fairway. Chief Barnes, along with the Kansas Historical Society and a local foundation, had ambitious plans to renovate the site and create a state-of-the-art museum to tell the story of the boarding school era. However, this collaboration eventually led to a rift due to differing visions for the site’s future.
Recent efforts to uncover the truth about the boarding school era and its impact on Indigenous communities have brought to light dark chapters of American history. Between 1819 and 1969, approximately 400 boarding schools operated across the U.S., with the goal of assimilating Indigenous children into American culture. The harsh realities of these schools, including family separation, loss of identity, and abuse, have left a lasting legacy of trauma within Native communities.
Chief Barnes’s personal connection to this history runs deep, as he discovered details about his ancestors, including his great-great-great-grandfather, who had been forcibly taken to the boarding school. The emotional toll of learning about the suffering and resilience of his people has motivated Chief Barnes to advocate for ownership of the Shawnee Indian Mission site.
The debate over who should control Native American history has sparked tensions between Chief Barnes and local officials. While the Kansas Historical Society and the city of Fairway argue for maintaining control of the site, Chief Barnes believes that the Shawnee Tribe should have a more prominent role in preserving and sharing their history. The complex history of the Shawnee Indian Mission, from its origins in the 19th century to its role in the Civil War era, underscores the importance of acknowledging the full narrative of the site.
As Chief Barnes continues to push for Shawnee ownership of the National Historic Landmark site in Fairway, he emphasizes the need for healing and justice for Indigenous communities impacted by the legacy of boarding schools. By reclaiming their history and telling their stories from their perspective, Chief Barnes hopes to honor the resilience and spirit of the Shawnee people.
The battle over the Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site represents a larger struggle to confront the painful truths of America’s past and create a more inclusive narrative that recognizes the experiences of Indigenous peoples. Chief Barnes’s efforts to preserve the legacy of his ancestors and advocate for their rightful place in history reflect a broader movement towards healing and reconciliation in the wake of centuries of cultural erasure and trauma.
