Trail of Tears Marker

In 1877, the Ponca Indians were removed from their homeland along the Niobrara River and forced to relocate to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. An 1868 error in the Treaty of Fort Laramie ceded the Ponca lands to their enemy, the Dakota Sioux. The journey to Indian Territory was plagued by muddy roads and heavy spring flooding. Most of the tribe suffered from disease and hardship, and some perished along the way. One was White Buffalo Girl, daughter of Black Elk and Moon Hawk. Many others were buried along the trail that passed through Neligh and it became known as the Ponca Trail of Tears. Her grave is located on the west edge of Laurel Hill Cemetery in Neligh.