Registration is now open for the Tri-Faith Initiative's 2026 Religious Equity Seminar, which will provide an understanding of religious equity, diversity, and inclusion issues surrounding religion in America through historical, cultural, and structural analysis. The sessions take place from 6:30 - 8 p.m. every other week on Mondays and Wednesdays from October 12 to December 9. Click here for more information, or to register. Registration deadline is the first day of class, October 12. The Religious Equity Seminar is intended for community leaders and members who want to build genuinely inclusive spaces, whether in workplaces, congregations, schools, or civic organizations. This includes nonprofit staff, educators, faith leaders, HR professionals, and engaged community members who regularly interact with religiously diverse populations but may lack a shared historical framework for understanding how religious bias forms and persists. This course attempts to lay plain the origins of the tropes, stereotypes and deep-seated narratives that have fueled negative attitudes toward various religious communities for millennia – and which continue to give even the most well-intentioned people faulty understandings that foster exclusivity instead of inclusivity. This seminar gives participants concrete historical grounding and practical tools, like the Five B Framework and the Bridge-Building Model, to translate goodwill into informed, actionable behavior in their own spheres of influence. Participants will walk away with practical tools for driving real change where they work and live, not just a better vocabulary for naming the problem. - Session 1: Monday, October 12, 2026: “Introduction” and “Religious Freedom & Foundations: Part 1” - Session 2: Wednesday, October 14, 2026: “Religious Freedom & Foundations: Part 2” - Session 3: Monday, October 26, 2026: “Religious Equity: Jewish Considerations” - Session 4: Wednesday, October 28, 2026: “Religious Equity: Muslim Considerations” - Session 5: Monday, November 9, 2026: "Intro to Race & Religion,” and “Religious Equity: Native American Considerations.” - Session 6: Wednesday, November 11, 2026: “Religious Equity: African American Considerations” - Session 7: Monday, November 23, 2026: “Christian Nationalism” - Session 8: Monday, December 7, 2026: “Equitable Pluralism: Part 1” - Session 9: Wednesday, December 9, 2026: “Equitable Pluralism: Part 2” and "Conclusion"
This program takes a look at black American influences in the early west, and at the movement of freed blacks after the civil war as they move into and settle in the west. We will look at black settlements in the plains and the causes for their ultimate demise. This program is not a broad history of black settlers and settlements, rather, a quick sketch of who was here, where they came from and what happened to them. Presented by Jerry Lucas
The Fort Robinson Mare Barn Equestrian Center will features a special program honoring the history of Fort Robinson during its sesquicentennial anniversary. As an event organized by both Nebraska Game and Parks and History Nebraska (Nebraska State Historical Society), the Buffalo Soldiers of the American West specifically highlights the history of the 9th and 10th Cavalry at the Fort through a series of historical mounted cavalry drills, Manual of Arms, and saber drills dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. The non-profit organization coming to the Fort is based out of Colorado and has been putting together these traveling exhibitions for more than 20 years. Their goal is to raise awareness about the two all African-American regiments and the impact these servicemen had in American history. In addition to many of their presentations, the Buffalo Soldiers of the American West features artifacts authentic to the era with role playing, displays, and photographs for audience members. Admission is free, but a Nebraska State Park entry permit is required and can be bought at the Fort. Seating is available around the Mare Barn Equestrian Center, but guests are also encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
