Pioneer Bluffs

Center for Flint Hills Ranching Heritage

Our Mission

Ranching Heritage - text

Located on the historic Rogler Ranch just north of Matfield Green, the Pioneer Bluffs Center for Flint Hills Ranching Heritage invites ranchers, locals, schools, and visitors seeking a Flint Hills experience to come along with us as we journey through time to explore our history, and join us as we examine contemporary ranching issues.

Learn more about our story

Native Heritage and Place in the Flint Hills presented by Elexa Amo Dawson

Native Heritage and Place in the Flint Hills presented by Elexa Amo Dawson

Migration by Norval Morrisseau. ca 1970’s | Courtesy: Royal Ontario Museum

Native Heritage and Place in the Flint Hills

presented by Elexa Amo Dawson

<-  Click on image to view video

Presented by celebrated Native American speaker and songwriter Elexa Dawson, this talk explores themes of Native traditional knowledge, and philosophy of kinship with the land. Dawson discusses how Indigenous ways of viewing the land – the plants, creatures and bounty of the Earth – can lead us forward. She shares stories about her work in community gardening with the Goodway Gardens program in Emporia. A member of the Citizen Band Potawatomi Nation, Dawson explains the origins and culture of the Potawatomi, and how today they are a vibrant and living people with sovereign nations and current relevance in modern society.
The talk is one of the “Prairie Talk” series of videos produced by Pioneer Bluffs historic site.

Recorded in the Pioneer Bluffs main barn on 12 Oct 2024.

Video by Dave Leiker

Celebrating Flint Hills Ranching Heritage

The Past Year at Pioneer Bluffs – October 2023 to September 2024

Musician, Annie Wilson, hosts a review of highlights from the 2024 season at Pioneer Bluffs historic site.
Recorded in the main barn in October 2024

Please click on the image to view a video of the talk.

Please help support the mission of Pioneer Bluffs with your donations at this year’s Match Day, sponsored by the Emporia Community Foundation.

Pioneer Bluffs Year in Review 2024 title slide
Event Calendar text

Plan a trip out to see us with information about lodging, food, and area attractions.


Things to Do

Donate or learn about volunteer opportunities.


Get Involved

stylized graphic of the flint hills