Take The Monster-Hunting Trip Of A Lifetime With This Nebraska Tour Company
The legendary North American forest ape – whether you call it Bigfoot, sasquatch, Ci’tonga, or a hundred other names – has been the subject of stories and speculation for decades. In the Omaha tribe, the stories have been passed down through generations, and many people have no doubt that they’ve seen the creature.
Brothers Barry Webster Sr. and Derek Webster have heard the stories since they were children.
In the Omaha language, the creature is called Ci'tonga. Tribal elders have told tales of the beast roaming the wooded hills of eastern Nebraska for generations. But rather than the sensationalistic or fearful attitudes that many folks have toward the creature, the Omaha people look upon Ci'tonga in a caring, respectful, almost reverent way. The brothers set out to prove the traditional stories are true so that humans can protect and reconnect with Ci'tonga.
They founded Rez Squatching Research in 2010 to prove that the storied primate exists and roams the wooded area near Macy, Nebraska.
The brothers and their team of fellow researchers say that they have seen Ci'tonga many times and have no doubt that it is real. On their frequent outings, they've spotted numerous signs of the creature's presence, such as branches placed in a certain way, hair samples, and structures that appear to be shelters.
The Rez Squatchers don't keep their Ci'tonga-searching expeditions to themselves. They offer tours to people who are also intrigued by the legends.
Participants are led through the woods and shown exactly what to look for on a squatching mission. From obvious signs like massive footprints to more subtle evidence like broken sticks, the guides provide a wealth of information that can be used in future expeditions. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, you'll walk away from a Rez Squatching Research outing with a new appreciation for the legendary primate and the humans who seek to prove it exists.
Watch the brothers describe their calling and the legend of Ci’tonga in this video from Nebraska Stories.
If you want to learn more about Rez Squatching Research and share your own experiences, join the group’s Facebook community. Get a bit of background information on the organization on its Facebook page.
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
