Western Academy Series on ‘History at the Mission’

In 1848, The Western Academy was started at the Shawnee Indian Mission. Reverend Nathan Scarritt oversaw the department, which was a college prep program for both Native American and white students in the area. Both young men and women were admitted into the program and while white students from both the Territory and Missouri paid a tuition for coursework and room and board, Native American students were admitted to the program tuition-free. This program series will have local experts present programs on various aspects of the Mission’s history, as it relates to other aspects of greater Kansas City history.

Pre-registration is not required. Free to the community.

January 25, 10:00 a.m.
We’re excited to host James Pepper Henry, Principal of Pepper & Associates.  He is a museum consultant, former Vice-Chairman of the Kaw Nation, and President of the Kanza Heritage Society. A leader in indigenous heritage preservation, he has directed renowned institutions, including First Americans Museum, Gilcrease Museum, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.  He will be speaking on the topic of The Return of In’zhu’je’waxo’be: Sacred Rock of the Kaw People. 

March 8, 10:00 a.m.
Ken Shoemaker as Reverand Jesse Greene will be educating us as a first-person experience.

April 12, 10:00 a.m. 
Jim Lee will be discussing the relocation of the Shawnee Indian tribe with a focus on the Silverheel family.

May 3, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter to be determined.