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Indian family donates Lewis and Clark documents
2004-05-12
By The Associated Press
In a steamer trunk that belonged to Joan Aitson's grandmother, evidence of the family's encounter with explorers William Clark and Merriwether Lewis stayed tucked away for nearly 200 years.
On Wednesday, the family donated a handwritten speech delivered by Clark and a signed certificate of peace to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Lewis and Clark handed out several peace certificates and medals as they made their way west across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean two centuries ago. Friday marks the bicentennial of their departure from St. Louis.
"This is perhaps the most significant contribution we've had," said Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. "This is their own document, with ties to one Indian family. There are very few others like that."
An envelope filed away with other keepsakes in the trunk protected the delicate cursive handwriting of the speech and the red wax seal on the peace certificate. Navy blue ribbons that held the draft of the speech together remained in tact when the family turned over their heirloom documents to the historical society.
"Even though they realized they were important, they may not have know how much," said Joe Dent, Aitson's cousin and a member of the Otoe tribe. "These are meaningful to the family and demonstrates a good relationship between our tribe and the government."
The peace certificate bears the name of the family's great grandfather who was a warrior with the Otoe tribe when the explorers traveled through their area.
The Otoe tribe once occupied territory stretching from southern Nebraska to Canada along the Missouri River. The tribe later resettled in Oklahoma. Blackburn said the documents will be on display in Nebraska before a new American Indian exhibit opens in Oklahoma in 2005.
"These are going to become a national treasure," Blackburn said. "We want to share them with the nation in some way."
Aitson said she always knew the documents were of value, she just didn't know how much.
"I know there were Lewis and Clark documents in there. Sometimes my grandmother would open her trunk and take them out and say they belonged to our grandpa," the Edmond woman said. "I felt like they needed to be preserved. I was a little surprised when I opened it up and they were still there."
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*NOTE:
This document is significant because the Otoe Village where it originated, was the first Indian community that the Corps of Discovery encountered, as they began their historic journey.
This document was presented to the "head warrior of the Otoe village" and was signed by both Lewis and Clark. This document has survived time, weather, wars, removals and the elements - while in the pocession of a single Indian family. It is dated August 19, 1804.
Also included with this donation is an 11-page, hand written letter by William Clark to the Yankton Sioux, dated August 30, 1804.
Both of these documents will be exactly 200 years old this year!
The best part of it all is these significant documents are not only timely, but THEY WERE DONATED BY INDIAN PEOPLE!!!!
WhoMe
2004-05-12
By The Associated Press
In a steamer trunk that belonged to Joan Aitson's grandmother, evidence of the family's encounter with explorers William Clark and Merriwether Lewis stayed tucked away for nearly 200 years.
On Wednesday, the family donated a handwritten speech delivered by Clark and a signed certificate of peace to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Lewis and Clark handed out several peace certificates and medals as they made their way west across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean two centuries ago. Friday marks the bicentennial of their departure from St. Louis.
"This is perhaps the most significant contribution we've had," said Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. "This is their own document, with ties to one Indian family. There are very few others like that."
An envelope filed away with other keepsakes in the trunk protected the delicate cursive handwriting of the speech and the red wax seal on the peace certificate. Navy blue ribbons that held the draft of the speech together remained in tact when the family turned over their heirloom documents to the historical society.
"Even though they realized they were important, they may not have know how much," said Joe Dent, Aitson's cousin and a member of the Otoe tribe. "These are meaningful to the family and demonstrates a good relationship between our tribe and the government."
The peace certificate bears the name of the family's great grandfather who was a warrior with the Otoe tribe when the explorers traveled through their area.
The Otoe tribe once occupied territory stretching from southern Nebraska to Canada along the Missouri River. The tribe later resettled in Oklahoma. Blackburn said the documents will be on display in Nebraska before a new American Indian exhibit opens in Oklahoma in 2005.
"These are going to become a national treasure," Blackburn said. "We want to share them with the nation in some way."
Aitson said she always knew the documents were of value, she just didn't know how much.
"I know there were Lewis and Clark documents in there. Sometimes my grandmother would open her trunk and take them out and say they belonged to our grandpa," the Edmond woman said. "I felt like they needed to be preserved. I was a little surprised when I opened it up and they were still there."
___
*NOTE:
This document is significant because the Otoe Village where it originated, was the first Indian community that the Corps of Discovery encountered, as they began their historic journey.
This document was presented to the "head warrior of the Otoe village" and was signed by both Lewis and Clark. This document has survived time, weather, wars, removals and the elements - while in the pocession of a single Indian family. It is dated August 19, 1804.
Also included with this donation is an 11-page, hand written letter by William Clark to the Yankton Sioux, dated August 30, 1804.
Both of these documents will be exactly 200 years old this year!
The best part of it all is these significant documents are not only timely, but THEY WERE DONATED BY INDIAN PEOPLE!!!!
WhoMe
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