LINCOLN – The Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs (NCIA) and the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation (NSHSF) today announced a joint initiative to distribute 941 copies of Bravery Magazine, featuring the life and legacy of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, to elementary and public libraries across Nebraska. Distribution to all 941 libraries is slated to take place this December.
This partnership ensures that Dr. Picotte’s inspiring story of courage, service, and groundbreaking achievement is accessible to youth and educators in every region of the state.
This book donation to Nebraska Libraries was made possible through a grant from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, in partnership with and additional funding provided by the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs. The donation and distribution are slated to take place December, 2025.
The featured edition of Bravery Magazine celebrates Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, who remains a singular figure in Nebraska's history: Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, born in 1865 on the Omaha Reservation, holds a singular place in Nebraska’s history as both a trailblazer and a healer. The first Native American to earn a medical degree in the United States, she returned to Nebraska to serve her Omaha people with unwavering dedication. Often walking or riding horseback for miles to care for patients, she championed public health, sanitation, and dignity at a time when few medical resources reached Native communities. Her service was not just medical, it was personal, cultural, and rooted in a deep love for her homeland.
More than a national figure, Dr.
Picotte is a Nebraska icon whose work continues to resonate in the values of service, perseverance, and justice. In 1913, she founded a hospital in Walthill - the first built and operated by a Native American — a crowning achievement in a life defined by advocacy and care. This hospital was renovated and dedicated in June 2025.
Her story is one of extraordinary commitment to her people and to the state she called home, reminding us that leaders of profound courage and compassion have long shaped Nebraska.
For more information about Dr.
Susan La Flesche Picotte, please visit: picottecenter.org The magazines are being distributed to a total of 941 libraries statewide, providing teachers and parents with a high-quality educational resource focused on diverse role models.
“Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte has always been a priority for our agency,” said NCIA Executive Director Judi M. gaiashkibos. “Her story embodies true bravery, guided by her own promise:
'I will fight long and hard for my people.’ Sharing this issue of Bravery Magazine is another meaningful way to ensure future generations learn from her example. Her legacy is not just history; it is a relevant and instructive blueprint that inspires young people today to embrace true bravery and relentless service.”
Leslie Parrish Fattig, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, concurred, stating: "We are honored to help share Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte’s remarkable story with children and educators across Nebraska. Through this partnership with the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, we are able to reach every corner of the state with the story of a true Nebraska icon of service and justice. We hope this issue of Bravery Magazine inspires young people to reflect on her courage, compassion, and the enduring impact one person can make.”
