DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Excellent story line, and documentation! Wonderful information of a very interesting, and important lady! Thanks for sharing!

BrianFlaherty Loc: Wilseyville, CA

While in Idaho, not too many yers ago, I was struck by the fact that in a cemetary just north of Lewiston, there was a chain link fence dividing the graves into "whites" on one side; and, "native & indigenous" on the other side. My friend asked me NOT to make a scene! But, I did ask several "official" Idaho state individuals "Why was this allowed to exist?" And, was told "THEY don't care. . .Just let it be! " Who were the "THEY" was made quite clear to me. . .And, I vowed that I would NEVER leave a nickel in the State of Idaho ever again. I also wrote a letter to the Governor of Idaho, asking "Why?" But, never received even the courtesy of a reply. . .

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Brian, that was interesting. Perhaps you could share with us the history of California's decades long genocide against various tribes resulting in thousands of deaths from the actions of state and local militias. Why don't you research that and perhaps even write a letter to Governor Newsome asking him "why"? Maybe you could get an answer from him.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Dennis this is an interesting post and some great pictures. If you ever get out into Yellowstone county, Montana, there is Pompey's Pillar, where William Clark, graved his name on the side of the cliff. It is a designated national monument and the only, as far as I know, actual physical artifact remaining of the expedition. It is protected under glass and reads W. Clark July 26, 1806. It must have been done on the return trip. I live in St Joseph, Missouri and the "fleet" by here on its outward journey and its return home. Just south of town is a Missouri Conservation Area called Jentell Brees first named by Lewis who appreciated the "Gentle Breeze" on the river. And it just happened that I was born and raised in western Iowa just south of Sergeant's Bluff where Sergeant Floyd died and was buried. In 1901 a 100 ft tall monument constructed from sandstone quarried at the Kettle River in eastern Minnesota (now designated a wild and scenic river) was erected to honor Sgt Floyd. This obelisk was later received the first designation as a National Historic Landmark in the United States. When I was a strapling, my Dad, brothers, Uncle Earl and cousins would go fishing on Blue Lake part of Lewis and Clark State Park in western Iowa. The expedition camped there on both the outgoing and coming home portions of the expedition. The explorers were there on September 6, 1806 where Lewis was still recuperating from being shot in the arse on August 11, by one-eyed Pierre Cruzatte who mistook Lewis in his buckskins for an elk. Thanks for a great post.

BrianFlaherty Loc: Wilseyville, CA

How about this in reply: I was a docent for a year or so at Grinding Rock State Historical Park (a few miles up Hwy 88 from Jackson, CA). This is the site of "round house" of the Miwoks, a native people who were victims of the settlement by first the Franciscan monks who built the missions in California; and, later the Gold Rush of 1848. And, were the last native people finally wiped out by the White Man in 1914, after holding out for a number of months in the Lava Beds under their leader, "Captain Jack." I was finally asked to leave the Park by the Head Ranger, who said I was making the Park visitors "uncomfortable" during my talks of the history of the Miwoks; the Aztecs; the Mayans; and, other indigenous peoples. . .When I told them that the original "illegals" on the North American continent were the Pilgrims in 1620 on the Eastern Coast; and, the Spanish Conquistadores in the Southwest when Cortes invaded Mexico in 1509. Of course, I dropped Columbus (1492-96) into the mix also when I described his landings in the Caribbean Islands. . .I also included Balboa; Pizarro; and, a story or two about the invaders of Central and Southern America. No history could be complete without mentioning the enslavement of the indigenous peoples; and, the first Africans brought to the New World who were "needed" in the mineral mines; the tobacco; sugar; cotton; and, other agricultural production enterprises established in the Spanish and Portuguese colonial empires. . .And, while all of this was going on, the White Man was "graciously" endowing these people with syphilis and other bacterial infections; and, Christianity . . .Virtually guaranteeing these peoples would be forever thankful to the White Man for wiping out their "savage and primitive" spiritual histories!
======
A brief tidbit of California history: When gold was discovered in California in January, 1848, the Miwok People had over 900 distinctive "social groups" in a population of over a million . . .Within 2-3 years, their total population could be counted in the HUNDREDS due to disease and "other sources of death and social destruction" such as murder; massacre; and, forced "evacuation." [Statehood was granted to California in Sept. 1850. Thank you, America!]
========
I also included a bit of 19th and 20th Century "gifts" to other peoples who were "imported" for specific purposes; but, not granted citizenship or the right to own land or other property: the Chinese (who built the Transcontinental railroad in 1865-1869); and, the Japanese, who worked the agricultural fields in Central California; and, were interned in "concentration camps" located in various parts of the United States during World War II. . .As you can see, I was a "full service" docent; and, tried not to leave anyone out when describing America's proud history of promoting democracy and freedom in an "inclusive society."

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

As far as I can see, you are correct in your statements. The record of both the United States and the separate states has not been good, however your being an arrogant know it all spouting off the correct history puts people off and doesn't help change people's minds. Rather it leads them to think that you are using your indignation to seek attention for yourself.

BrianFlaherty Loc: Wilseyville, CA

Ya hadda be there to hear my full spiel. . .I also spoke about fine heritage and traditions of the Miwok and their social "structure" and culture. For example, individual groups who inhabited the different geographical regions of California had roles in the overall relationships between these groups. Miwok who lived in the central regions acted as "facilitators" between the coastal inhabitants who were sea and shoreline "hunters" and "gatherers" and traded with the groups who lived in the foothill and mountain regions. Some groups were masters of basketry and hand-skills and produced not only for their own use but for trading with other regions. . .And, there were many different dialects and languages that required "translators" between regional groups. I also "taught" visitors to the park about these different peoples who lived around California. . .who were ALL identified as "Miwok" but whose traditions and "day-to-day living" were very different from each other. . .And, this sophisticated structure REQUIRED a formal "socialistic" division that was "co-operative and complex" . . .And, the Miwok had developed this system over milennia which recognized these differences within the larger context; and, found ways to live together while still utilizing what EACH group contributed to the entire. . .In a sense, it was a VERY sophisticated system of "FROM" each was taken; and, to each was "GIVEN!" And, ALL of this was co-ordinated within the Miwok what Nature provided; and, the "got along" in this "social Babel" in large part governed by the seasons AND the geography. . .My talks and teachings to the Park Visitors was meant (and, generally succeeded) to bring "understanding and respect" for the Miwok who had found a way to "co-habit" with each other; AND, with "Nature!" And, thus they had created a way of living in "harmony" their Natural Surroundings that THEIR Spirit World "approved of!" When the Head Ranger asked ME to 'leave," she was simply responding to a minority of the Visitors who told her: "He makes us uncomfortable!" And, she never took the time to listen to my talks herself! The larger majority of Visitors who I had talked to APPROVED (and, enjoyed) my talks. . .Which were given with the "approval" and, "guidance" of the local Shaman of the Miwok. And, I more often "tailored" my talks to "answering" QUESTIONS from the Visitors. And, I did my own "research" into the PUBLISHED scientific and social research of the professors and teachers of the University of California--Berkeley, who had been studying in depth the culture and traditions of the Miwok and the regional peoples who had lived in the State! And, in season, I also gathered acorns (among other "local" produce) and made acorn mush, etc which I ate at my own house, so that MY "understanding" was as authentic as possible; and, my talks were "accurate." Because I wanted to represent these people as accurately (and, respectfully) as possible I had many long talks with the Shaman; and, he invited me to "view" as many of the rituals that an "outsider" was allowed to view. I don't think he would have given me as much "entree" into the "inner sanctum" he did if I was NOT acting as a "reliable; respectful; and truthful" guide for the visitors to the Park. [Along those lines, when I taught in the public schools as a "certificated" teacher in California, I had a personal bookshelf in my classroom that in Today's United States that would have "earned" me a place on the flagpole in front of the school (in an "upside-down" position with the rope around my neck!). And, once, after a petition had been circulated DEMANDING I be FIRED, I invited those parents to "join" my classroom as observers and "participants"(if they raised their hands as the students did). . .And, that group (which included a local minister) after a week of observation, invited me to teach an "Adult Sunday School" in THEIR church. . .Which I did for three months! And, the minister asked me privately: "What exactly IS your religion?" To which I replied: "None of your business! But, I will tell you that it's roots are "akin" to that of the Miwok, of California!" And, to any and all, I suggest you look into it! Those "primitive illiterate savages" are more advanced in that regard than any "Believers" I have ever encountered in my more than 80+ years! Sadly, it "made" the White Invaders of our part of the World so "uncomfortable" that their only response was to wipe them out! And, they are still at it today, in the 21st Century!. . .<smile>

Bubalola Loc: Big Apple, NY

[quote=dennis2146]Ever since I was in grade school and learned about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, and the Shoshone woman who assisted them I have been enthralled with Sacajawea or as come spell, Sacagawea.

Wikileaks gives this information about her. Of course there is much more but this is about my photographs though I admit she is far more important.

I have been to the site, South of Salmon, Idaho where her village stood when she was born. I never learned where she was born. While getting fuel at Fort Washakie, WY I noticed a sign pointing down a side road to Sacajawea's burial site. I drove down the road a few miles and saw a sign saying, Sacajawea's Cemetery. I drove in and spent the next, at least, two hours there. There was a statue of Sacajawea and I wrongly assumed that she was buried beneath the statue. YUP, wrong again. I found there is a grave site for Sacajawea and her two sons, Baptiste Charbonneau and Basil. It is scattered among the other burial sites in the cemetery and is nothing spectacular, no flashing lights, no signs and so on. It does hold a place of reverence in my heart.

The rest of the very small cemetery is completely unlike any other cemetery I have ever been to. It is an Indian cemetery and the graves are mostly very colorful but without many actual marked gravestones I would be used to. Many of the graves have no names at all or have the names painted on either a wooden cross or just a flat rock. Two graves, apparently of two children approximate the same age or maybe twins, had no name but their cross was hand embroidered. Many graves had trinkets for adornment. The Wyoming prairie has overtaken many of the graves. The graves are not tended to as most people would think of a manicured green grass lawn but is basically just prairie grass and weeds as is the prairie around the cemetery. Prairie dogs run freely and have dug in among the graves.

I am going to let my photos do the talking for me as they can do so much better than me trying to explain. I may have three separate posts. I hope I don't bore anyone to tears. If you have not done so I highly recommend the novel, "Undaunted Courage", by Richard Ambrose. It is an in depth story about the Lewis and Clark expedition that Americans should be aware of.

Dennis

In 1804, the Corps of Discovery reached a Mandan village, where Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark built Fort Mandan for wintering over in 1804–05. They interviewed several trappers who might be able to interpret or guide the expedition up the Missouri River in the springtime. Knowing they would need to communicate with the tribal nations who lived at the headwaters of the Missouri River, they agreed to hire Toussaint Charbonneau, who claimed to speak several Native languages, and one of his wives, who spoke Shoshone. Sacajawea was pregnant with her first child at the time.

On November 4, 1804, Clark recorded in his journal:[8][a]

[A] french man by Name Chabonah, who Speaks the Big Belley language visit us, he wished to hire & informed us his 2 Squars (squaws) were Snake Indians, we engau (engaged) him to go on with us and take one of his wives to interpret the Snake language.…
Charbonneau and Sacagawea moved into the expedition's fort a week later. Clark later nicknamed her "Janey."[b] Lewis recorded the birth of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau on February 11, 1805, noting that another of the party's interpreters administered crushed rattlesnake rattles in water to speed the delivery. Clark and other members of the Corps nicknamed the boy "Pomp" or "Pompy."

In April, the expedition left Fort Mandan and headed up the Missouri River in pirogues. They had to be poled against the current and sometimes pulled by crew along the riverbanks. On May 14, 1805, Sacagawea rescued items that had fallen out of a capsized boat, including the journals and records of Lewis and Clark. The corps commanders, who praised her quick action, named the Sacagawea River in her honor on May 20, 1805. By August 1805, the corps had located a Shoshone tribe and was attempting to trade for horses to cross the Rocky Mountains. They used Sacagawea to interpret and discovered that the tribe's leader, Cameahwait, was her brother.[/quote]

Great set and story, Dennis! Thank you so very much for sharing it!

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

[quote=BrianFlaherty]Ya hadda be there to hear my full spiel. . .I also spoke about fine heritage and traditions of the Miwok and their social "structure" and culture. For example, individual groups who inhabited the different geographical regions of California had roles in the overall relationships between these groups. Miwok who lived in the central regions acted as "facilitators" between the coastal inhabitants who were sea and shoreline "hunters" and "gatherers" and traded with the groups who lived in the foothill and mountain regions. Some groups were masters of basketry and hand-skills and produced not only for their own use but for trading with other regions. . .And, there were many different dialects and languages that required "translators" between regional groups. I also "taught" visitors to the park about these different peoples who lived around California. . .who were ALL identified as "Miwok" but whose traditions and "day-to-day living" were very different from each other. . .And, this sophisticated structure REQUIRED a formal "socialistic" division that was "co-operative and complex" . . .And, the Miwok had developed this system over milennia which recognized these differences within the larger context; and, found ways to live together while still utilizing what EACH group contributed to the entire. . .In a sense, it was a VERY sophisticated system of "FROM" each was taken; and, to each was "GIVEN!" And, ALL of this was co-ordinated within the Miwok what Nature provided; and, the "got along" in this "social Babel" in large part governed by the seasons AND the geography. . .My talks and teachings to the Park Visitors was meant (and, generally succeeded) to bring "understanding and respect" for the Miwok who had found a way to "co-habit" with each other; AND, with "Nature!" And, thus they had created a way of living in "harmony" their Natural Surroundings that THEIR Spirit World "approved of!" When the Head Ranger asked ME to 'leave," she was simply responding to a minority of the Visitors who told her: "He makes us uncomfortable!" And, she never took the time to listen to my talks herself! The larger majority of Visitors who I had talked to APPROVED (and, enjoyed) my talks. . .Which were given with the "approval" and, "guidance" of the local Shaman of the Miwok. And, I more often "tailored" my talks to "answering" QUESTIONS from the Visitors. And, I did my own "research" into the PUBLISHED scientific and social research of the professors and teachers of the University of California--Berkeley, who had been studying in depth the culture and traditions of the Miwok and the regional peoples who had lived in the State! And, in season, I also gathered acorns (among other "local" produce) and made acorn mush, etc which I ate at my own house, so that MY "understanding" was as authentic as possible; and, my talks were "accurate." Because I wanted to represent these people as accurately (and, respectfully) as possible I had many long talks with the Shaman; and, he invited me to "view" as many of the rituals that an "outsider" was allowed to view. I don't think he would have given me as much "entree" into the "inner sanctum" he did if I was NOT acting as a "reliable; respectful; and truthful" guide for the visitors to the Park. [Along those lines, when I taught in the public schools as a "certificated" teacher in California, I had a personal bookshelf in my classroom that in Today's United States that would have "earned" me a place on the flagpole in front of the school (in an "upside-down" position with the rope around my neck!). And, once, after a petition had been circulated DEMANDING I be FIRED, I invited those parents to "join" my classroom as observers and "participants"(if they raised their hands as the students did). . .And, that group (which included a local minister) after a week of observation, invited me to teach an "Adult Sunday School" in THEIR church. . .Which I did for three months! And, the minister asked me privately: "What exactly IS your religion?" To which I replied: "None of your business! But, I will tell you that it's roots are "akin" to that of the Miwok, of California!" And, to any and all, I suggest you look into it! Those "primitive illiterate savages" are more advanced in that regard than any "Believers" I have ever encountered in my more than 80+ years! Sadly, it "made" the White Invaders of our part of the World so "uncomfortable" that their only response was to wipe them out! And, they are still at it today, in the 21st Century!. . .<smile>[/quote]

Brian do you ever have a conversation with people or are you one of those people who do not listen but only wait for your turn to continue talking. You have interesting points to make, but you are so relentless in your presentation that a condition with the initials MEGO sits in. You note that you are 80 plus years of age, but you have been this way your entire life as indicated by your other responses. Even here you launched into an account about the Miwoks to illustrate how much you know about them when you had already established that. Native Americans in this country could use our support, but instead of advocating for them, you put people off.
Please no more lectures.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Excellent interesting set and narrative Dennis.