(KAIR)--A historic structure, located two miles east of Highland, is set to return to its original, Native American owners.

That follows action of the Kansas Legislature, returning ownership of the Highland Mission to the Iowa Tribe of Northeast Kansas.

According to State Representative John Eplee’s “House Calls” Legislative update newsletter, he was joined by members of the tribe April 5 as lead testimony was given to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee on the conveyance of the structure to the tribe.

The Highland Mission, according to Eplee, is possibly the oldest standing structure in Kansas, and has functioned as an assimilation center, as a school, an orphanage, and more recently as a Kansas State Historical Society museum showcasing the Iowa Tribe and the Kickapoo Nation. The museum closed in 2008, as a result of the economic downturn.

According to Eplee, the bill calling for the return of the structure to the Iowa Tribe has passed both the Kansas House and Senate and was, at last check, awaiting the signature of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

Eplee said the approval of the bill means the property will be placed back into the hands “of the appropriate owners once and for all and allow the tribe to showcase the rich heritage of the Indigenous Peoples of Kansas, provide ongoing museum displays, and education opportunities for surrounding schools.”

According to Eplee, the Legislature is currently on April break, having reached what’s known as First Adjournment.

He says that while the Legislature “accomplished a great deal...much work remains ahead of the scheduled 10-day Veto Session in May.”

Pictured above are (L to R) Alan Kelly-tribal rep, Representative Ponca-we Victors—Sedgwick, Lance Foster—Iowa tribe VP, and Russel Brien—tribal attn. Many thanks to Ted Collins—Highland Community Attn., and Cindy Davis—Librarian at HCC, who gave testimony via WebEx.