Lawrence Hart:
Forgive, but Remember

Story synopsis

Lawrence Hart, a traditional Cheyenne peace chief and formerly a Mennonite pastor, recounts the story of the Washita Massacre in Colorado in 1868 where more than 300 Cheyenne including women, elderly and children were killed. One hundred years later, in 1968, he and his family took part in a centennial commemoration of the massacre. The Cheyenne had reluctantly agreed to take part, on condition that they be permitted to bury the remains of a Cheyenne killed in the massacre which had been on display in a local museum.

However, the re-enactment became too real as the Grandsons of the Seventh Cavalry joined the scene in authentic uniforms, shooting blank cartridges from authentic old guns. Hart said deep feelings of hostility rose within him. Still, the reburial of the child's remains went forward, and Hart had the opportunity to participate in a gesture of reconciliation that became deeply significant.

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