Community celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day at Joslyn Castle

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Monday was ‘Indigenous Peoples Day’ across the country.

Joslyn Castle and Gardens celebrated with the focus on Omaha’s First Nations people.

“You know how they’ve come up this way of life and how we’ve struggled, survived, and overcome," Amen Sheridan Sr., mentor at ONPS, said. “We’re trying to continue in the best way we know in our teachings."

Joslyn Castle has commemorated the holiday at its historic gardens for three years.

Sheridan tells 6 News he’s been here since the beginning.

“The past three years, I’ve been helping prepare a prayer for the Indigenous Days, and also preparing a portion of the meal," Sherman said.

Being a mentor at Omaha Nation Public Schools, an indigenous-focused school in Macy, Nebraska. Sheridan and others travel every year to Omaha to share Native American culture and history.

“There’s recognition of different tribes, individuals, and those who are still continuing on and trying to once again fulfill their obligations and expectations of grandparents," Sherman said.

The holiday itself is being celebrated more, since Nebraska first recognized it four years ago.

Amy Richardson, the executive director with Joslyn Castle said since 2021, they’ve seen more people come to the event.

“It’s really important that we use our grounds to celebrate this event and the first people that inhabited this land," Richardson said. “So, this is our way to honor them.”

While there’s a lot to see and experience at the event, Sheridan hopes those who go can learn one thing.

“Let them know who they are,” Sheridan said. “Where they come from and how much their teachings are valued.”

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