Scotts Bluff National Monument in western Nebraska preserves a prominent natural landmark along the North Platte River that served as a major waypoint on the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail during the great westward migrations of the 19th century. The bluff, rising 800 feet above the river valley, was visible for miles and marked the passage through a gap in the series of steep bluffs that forced travelers to find specific routes through the terrain. An estimated 250,000 emigrants passed through Mitchell Pass at the base of the bluff between the 1840s and 1860s, and deep wagon wheel ruts are still visible today. The monument was established in 1919 and includes a museum with one of the finest collections of watercolors by pioneer artist William Henry Jackson.
📚 Learn More at NPSHistory.com →Long before Scotts Bluff National Monument became a national park, this land was home to Indigenous peoples whose connection to it spans thousands of years. The interpretive materials now being reviewed tell their story — often developed through years of formal tribal consultation, as required by federal law.
From the internal review records: “One intepretive wayside along the Oregon Trail uses the phrase "feared "savages"", with the word savages in quotations to refer to indigenous people at Scotts Bluff and attacks on wagon trains following the Oregon Trail. This sign could provide better context around the conflict of Oregon Trail use, treaties signed, and the challenges for all people living in the area during the 1850s-1860s.”
Why this matters: The Indigenous history presented at Scotts Bluff National Monument was developed through formal tribal consultation — a legal requirement under federal law. The language being reviewed was often specifically requested by tribal nations whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years. Revising it without renewed consultation would violate both the spirit and the letter of that process.
One intepretive wayside along the Oregon Trail uses the phrase “feared ”savages"", with the word savages in quotations to refer to indigenous people at Scotts Bluff and attacks on wagon trains following the Oregon Trail. This sign could provide better context around the conflict of Oregon Trail use, treaties signed, and the challenges for all people living in the area during the 1850s-1860s.
Long before Scotts Bluff National Monument became a national park, this land was home to Indigenous peoples whose connection to it spans thousands of years. The interpretive materials now being reviewed tell their story — often developed through years of formal tribal consultation, as required by federal law.
From the internal review records: “Interpretive wayside lacks context around the impacts to the Great Plains prairie ecosystem from development during the settlement era and does not depict indigenous lifeways or pioneer settlers with contextual information to describe their lives as human beings living on the landscape. The park could update to provide a more thourough context regarding how use of the prairie has changed over time...”
Why this matters: The Indigenous history presented at Scotts Bluff National Monument was developed through formal tribal consultation — a legal requirement under federal law. The language being reviewed was often specifically requested by tribal nations whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years. Revising it without renewed consultation would violate both the spirit and the letter of that process.
Interpretive wayside lacks context around the impacts to the Great Plains prairie ecosystem from development during the settlement era and does not depict indigenous lifeways or pioneer settlers with contextual information to describe their lives as human beings living on the landscape. The park could update to provide a more thourough context regarding how use of the prairie has changed over time and how it benefits and upholds people's lives today.
Long before Scotts Bluff National Monument became a national park, this land was home to Indigenous peoples whose connection to it spans thousands of years. The interpretive materials now being reviewed tell their story — often developed through years of formal tribal consultation, as required by federal law.
From the internal review records: “Panel describing Native American perspective on treaties and changing lifeways. Does intersect with the park story as treaty signing was part of the establishment of overland trails. Panel includes one William Henry Jackson painting of Fort Mitchell and Mitchell Pass (in the park).”
Why this matters: The Indigenous history presented at Scotts Bluff National Monument was developed through formal tribal consultation — a legal requirement under federal law. The language being reviewed was often specifically requested by tribal nations whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years. Revising it without renewed consultation would violate both the spirit and the letter of that process.
Panel describing Native American perspective on treaties and changing lifeways. Does intersect with the park story as treaty signing was part of the establishment of overland trails. Panel includes one William Henry Jackson painting of Fort Mitchell and Mitchell Pass (in the park).
Scotts Bluff National Monument in NE preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “This section of the exhibit is supposed to mimic a trade and balencing scales to reach a fair deal. However, all the pieces are broken and non-functional. This exhibit poorly communicates the fur trade history at Scotts Bluff. The park would like to replace this exhibit section along with the entire exhibit in this room.”
The administration has directed that this content be replaced or removed, not merely revised but eliminated from the visitor experience at Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Why this matters: Scotts Bluff National Monument is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
This section of the exhibit is supposed to mimic a trade and balencing scales to reach a fair deal. However, all the pieces are broken and non-functional. This exhibit poorly communicates the fur trade history at Scotts Bluff. The park would like to replace this exhibit section along with the entire exhibit in this room.
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