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Murder of Native American by Lewis and Clark Alters Blackfoot History

Leo Tolstoy

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Published in Buckskin Brigades: Murder Of A Native American By Lewis And Clark Alters Blackfoot History

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The murder of a Native American by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark during their 1804-1806 expedition to the Pacific Ocean had a profound impact on the history of the Blackfoot Confederacy, a group of Indigenous peoples living in the northern Great Plains.

The incident occurred on August 24, 1804, near what is now Great Falls, Montana. Lewis and Clark had just met with a group of Blackfoot warriors and were attempting to negotiate a peaceful passage through their territory. However, one of the warriors, a man named Big White, grew angry and tried to steal a tomahawk from Lewis. Lewis shot him dead.

Buckskin Brigades: Murder of a Native American by Lewis and Clark alters Blackfoot History

by L. Ron Hubbard

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The killing of Big White enraged the Blackfoot and led to a series of attacks on the Lewis and Clark expedition. The expedition was forced to abandon its original plan to travel up the Missouri River and instead took a more dangerous route through the Rocky Mountains.

The murder of Big White also had a lasting impact on the relationship between the Blackfoot and the United States. The Blackfoot refused to trade with American fur traders for many years, and they continued to attack American settlements and travelers.

In 1831, a group of Blackfoot warriors killed a white fur trader named John Workman. In retaliation, the United States Army launched a punitive expedition against the Blackfoot, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Blackfoot men, women, and children.

The murder of Big White and the subsequent violence between the Blackfoot and the United States had a devastating impact on the Blackfoot Confederacy. The Blackfoot were forced to cede much of their territory to the United States, and their population was decimated.

The murder of Big White is a reminder of the often violent history of contact between Native Americans and European settlers. It is also a reminder of the importance of understanding the different perspectives of history and of working to build relationships of trust and understanding between different cultures.

The Blackfoot Confederacy

The Blackfoot Confederacy is a group of Indigenous peoples living in the northern Great Plains. The Confederacy is made up of three tribes: the Blackfeet, the Blood, and the Piegan. The Blackfoot have a long and rich history, and they have played a major role in the history of the northern Great Plains.

The Blackfoot are a traditionally nomadic people who have relied on hunting and gathering for their livelihood. They are also skilled horsemen, and they have a strong warrior tradition. The Blackfoot have a rich oral tradition, and their stories and songs have been passed down through generations.

The Blackfoot Confederacy has faced many challenges over the years, including the loss of their land, the of disease, and the assimilation policies of the United States and Canadian governments. However, the Blackfoot have survived and continue to thrive today.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a military expedition that was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Purchase. The expedition was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and it lasted from 1804 to 1806.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a major success. The expedition mapped the Louisiana Purchase, and it helped to open up the West to American settlement. However, the expedition also had a negative impact on the Native Americans who lived in the region.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition introduced disease to the Native Americans, and it also disrupted their traditional way of life. The expedition also led to increased conflict between the Native Americans and American settlers.

The Murder of Big White

The murder of Big White was a pivotal event in the history of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The killing of Big White enraged the Blackfoot and led to a series of attacks on the Lewis and Clark expedition. The expedition was forced to abandon its original plan to travel up the Missouri River and instead took a more dangerous route through the Rocky Mountains.

The Legacy of the Murder of Big White

The Blackfoot Confederacy has survived and thrived despite the challenges it has faced. The Blackfoot are a proud people with a rich history and culture. They are a valuable part of the American landscape, and they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.