Benny Smith, left, and Andy Girty prepare a fire pit they will use in a cleansing ceremony for a Remembrance Feast on Saturday at Haskell Indian Nations University. The feast honored children who died on the university's wetlands between 1884 and 1930.

Dozens of American Indians gathered around a fire pit at Haskell Indian Nations University on Saturday to remember hundreds of children who died on the university’s wetlands between 1884 and 1930.

“When you do something like this, you do it as perfectly as you can,” said Benny Smith, a retired Haskell staff member. “You’re doing it for that which is worthy of it.”

Those surrounding the fire listened intently to his spiritual message.

Smith filled a small skillet with ashes and added aromatic herbs such as sage, sweet grass and cedar. He waved the smoke in his direction, in an act of cleansing, then invited others to have a turn.

Some dragged the smoke through their hair. Others wiped it on their clothing.

Ramona Cliff kneeled with her daughter and put the smoke up to her face.

“It’s showing respect for those people who’ve gone before us,” Cliff said afterward. “You need to let those people know, who were here for us, that we care for them.”

The United States Indian Industrial Training School opened on Haskell grounds in 1884 as an agricultural education center, where children were taught different trades, such as tailoring, wagon making, cooking and sewing.

Up to 500 students died from diseases and inadequate heating conditions in the school, Smith said. Many died during the school’s first six months.

After the smudge ritual, the group drove to campus to a medicine wheel, which they circled for another presentation. Next, they walked to the campus cemetery for another remembrance ceremony. After the celebration, the group feasted on buffalo meat.

“In our belief (the deceased) are still here,” Cliff said. “Offering them food is respecting them, so they know that they’re not alone.”

It’s the first time the university has conducted an organized Remembrance Feast. Organizers said they hope to keep the tradition going.

“We owe a great deal of gratitude to the early generation here,” said Loretta Dockney, event organizer and Haskell University senior.