Indians and Emigrants: Encounters on the Overland Trail by Michael L. Tate

Abstract

WAITING FORLEWIS AND CLARK: THE BICENTENNIAL AND THE CHANGING WEST byDavid Sarasohn Oregon Historical Society Press, Portland, 2005. Photo graphs, bibliography, index. 190 pages. $16.95 paper. As the seemingly interminableLewis and Clark Bicentennial approaches its end, it is appro priate to sum up its achievements, its legacy. David Sarasohn has done so in an enlighten ing and informative book. The Bicentennial has invigorated community spirit in towns and states all along the trail. With Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage (1996) and Ken Burns's PBS series (1997), theBicentennial cre ated awelcome historical consciousness. Gaps in the literaturehave been filled, especially by new biographies of William Clark. There is a new national park, new stamps and coins, and the expansive Confluence Project ? a series of seven historic sites featuring sculpture and landscape architecture byMaya Lin.We have much tohelp us remember Lewis and Clark. Sarasohn elaborates on three departures. First, Indian people have become involved in the Bicentennial. Many tribes no longer livewhere Lewis and Clark found them ? it is tough to get excitedwhen you are stuck in Oklahoma. Some important peoples are not federally recognized, such as the Lemhi Shoshone, Sacagawea s tribe.And most Na tiveAmericans are not celebrating Lewis and Clark. They are not even commemorating the Bicentennial. At best, they are merely observ ing it.Still, they see itas a chance to tell their own story. Native American contributions to the Lewis and Clark saga are important new perspectives. Second, Sarasohn stresses heritage tour ism, the fastest-growing segment of the travel and recreation industry. The Bicentennial has drawn millions to "signature events" and prominent siteson the trail.Such celebrations are somehow un-American without a com mercial angle. Third, the Bicentennial has boosted envi ronmental and conservation effortsalong the trail. IfLewis and Clark Expedition sites are drawing visitors, then they areworth saving. Dams on theSnake River,however,will not be breached this time around. None ofuswill be here fortheTricentennial, but Sarasohn's excellent coverage reminds us ofwhat happened this time. Harry W. Fritz University of Montana, Missoula INDIANS AND EMIGRANTS: ENCOUNTERS ON THEOVERLANDTRAIL by Michael L.T?te University ofOklahoma Press, Norman, 2006. Illustrations, photographs, maps, notes, bibliography, index. 352 pages. $29.95 cloth. Indians and Emigrants is a comprehensive study of the complex history of relations between emigrants and American Indians on the central route of the overland trails to Oregon, California, and the Salt Lake Valley from 1840 to 1870.Along the overland trails, Indians and emigrantsviewed each other from radically differentperspectives. In contrast to the stereotypical images of "savage" Indians continually attackingwagon trainsand fearful, sometimes vengeful, emigrants portrayed by journalists, novelists, artists, and movie-mak ers,Michael T?te masterfully shows that this popular focus on conflict and violence "fails to account for the equally compelling reality of cooperation, aid, and mutual benefit that dominated Indian-white relations" (p. 231). In topical chapters, he examines the evolving nature of intercultural relations between two fundamentally differentpeoples. Through the firsthalf of the 1850s, Indian-white interper sonal relations generally demonstrated coop eration and friendship.Even though relations were transientand superficial,individuals often formed short-termfriendlyassociations based 622 OHQ vol. 107, no. 4 on curiosity,hospitality,and social interaction. T?te describes how changing circumstances caused heightened tensions and increased conflict in the lateryears of theperiod. T?te explores the confusion, misinforma tion,and preconceived ideas about Indians that emigrants gained fromguidebooks, literature, art,and familystoriesbefore theydeparted and thatwere reinforcedby rumors circulating in jumping-off towns. At the outset theywere conditioned to expect violence fromwestern Indians,which theyoften precipitated during the journey by theirown culturalmisconcep tions. T?te discusses the emigrants' first impres sions of the Indians they encountered as they began travelingwestward from theMissouri River.Between 1841and 1854,theregionknown as "Indian Country" was dotted with small Indian villages; but after Kansas andNebraska were organized into territories in 1854, farms, ranches, and towns changed the landscape dra matically.Whether in the earlyor laterperiods, overlanders' preconceptions were tested when they met theirfirstIndians. Chapters on trade and theways Indians assisted emigrants for compensation delve 2006 Oregon Book Award Winner Sarah Winnemucca Award forCreative Nonfiction When the River RanWild! Indian Traditionson the Mid-Columbia and the Warm Springs...