NEBRASKA -- While shoppers celebrate sales, much of Nebraska is honoring Indigenous history because Friday, November 26th, is Native American Heritage Day.

Across the state of Nebraska -- where six nations host reservations (Omaha, Winnebago, Ponca, Iowa, Santee Sioux, Sac and Fox) -- officials are taking note of the day with various celebrations and actions.

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Friday will see a "Day of Services" run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be dishes, arts, crafts, and socializing with people from Lincoln and the Delta Xi Nu Multicultural Sorority at the Center for People in Need. All are welcome to attend.

Meanwhile, History Nebraska recently released restored photographs of historic Native figures, including Susan LaFlesch Picotte and Chief Rain. You can view them here.

Other events that have happened throughout the entire month of November for Native American Heritage Month included a panel with the ACLU on increasing classes on Native American history in Nebraska, a drum group and food gathering at UNO, and a local Native American restaurant even opened in Norfolk.

The celebrations follow political discourse, too. Last week, the U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland ordered a panel to rename federal lands with the word "squaw" (a derogatory term for Native American). This action would affect "Squaw Creek" in Dawes County, near Chadron. Officials in the panhandle of Nebraska have not commented on the action, yet.

But the month has held painful news in addition to the celebrations and changes for Native Americans. A little over a week ago, researchers announced findings that identified children who had died at the Genoa Indian Industrial School in northeast Nebraska. Officials confirmed that at least 102 children died at the school, though they estimate the true death toll is higher. The organization representing the school tells NCN they have been "deluged with media requests" since the announcement. At the same time, the location is undergoing a process to search for the remains or a cemetery for those children on its grounds. NCN has been unable to receive a response from officials to learn more about this search.

Of note, Native American Heritage Day was signed into law in 2008 by then-President George W. Bush in to recognize and show gratitude to the 184 federally recognized Native tribes and their contributions to the U.S. Officials estimate more than 10,000 Native Americans live on Nebraska's reservations.

Shown below is a picture of Richard Hastings from History Nebraska: