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When Smoke Curled Upward from Earth Lodges

Guided tour—Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site, Republic

Admission and transportation subsidies are available to schools in twenty-six northwest Kansas counties for this tour.

Grades—Fifth thru Eighth

Pawnees in Earth Lodge VillageHow did the environment influence the Pawnee? Did the Pawnee live in earth lodges, year round? How did life for the Pawnee change with the arrival of other cultures? What is the legend of the Pawnee Sacred Bundle?

This guided tour challenges students to use a variety of primary sources to develop an understanding of the Pawnee. Through group work at the site, the students will investigate specific aspects of Pawnee life and present their information. From all the presentations, the students will not only develop an understanding of how the environment shaped real peoples lives but also gain empathy towards the Pawnee Nation.

Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic SiteThe activities will take place at the archeological remains of a large Pawnee earth lodge village, along the depressions of other lodges and on the nature trail.

Download PDF with tour information

Cost per student is $6. One adult enters free for every 10 students. Additional adults pay $5.

Length of tour: Approximately 90 minutes.

Number of students in a group: For the best experience, we recommend no more than 25 students per tour.

Registration and scheduling: Contact the site administrator at 785-361-2255; or email Pawnee Indian Museum at kshs.piv@ks.gov. Tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.

Other guided tours at Pawnee Indian Museum:

American Indian Homes in the Central Plains

Nature, A Pawnee Means of Survival