Hundreds of people, including dozens dressed as early 19th century military officers and explorers, gathered on Monticello's West Lawn yesterday to kick off the commemoration of the 200 year anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Representatives of over 20 Native American tribes also attended the ceremony, some dressed in traditional regalia. A large portion of this week's events will center around the role Native Americans played in the expedition and how their perspective can be integrated into a comprehensive history of the journey.
Thomas Jefferson Foundation President Dan Jordan said the week of festivities, which will last through the weekend, was designed to examine the expedition from all perspectives.
"The commemoration is designed to be an all-American program with many voices and multiple stories," Jordan said. "The ceremony today set that tone."
The next week of events, scheduled for the 200 year anniversary of the date that Jefferson requested funds for an expedition across North America, is the result of over eight years of planning, according to Allen Pinkham, member of the Nation Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Organization.
Pinkham, who is a member of the Nez Perce tribe, said his goal for the commemoration was to educate people about the question he hears too often: "Where did the Indians go?"
Pinkham said he wanted to combat the notion that Native Americans have disappeared from the continent.
"People assume we were here and now we are not, but we are still here -- we have survived since 1492," he said.
According to Bicentennial Council member Dark Rain Thom, a member of the Shawnee tribe, Lewis and Clarke encountered over 50 Indian tribes on their expedition.
"Over 20 tribes are represented here today -- we haven't reached halfway," Thom said. "We asked tribes 'Would you be interested in giving people a positive learning experience and giving your people a lasting legacy?' and many responded."
According to Pinkham, some tribes chose not to participate in the commemoration because they see it as a celebration of the loss of their land 200 years ago."There is a debate among my people about whether or not we should participate, but there is a prophecy being fulfilled that we will have to change to survive, that is what we are doing and we have survived."
According to Thom, her role in the bicentennial planning was to reach out to as many tribes mentioned in Lewis and Clark's journals as possible and to give equal recognition to all of them."I am the incarnation of a conscience," Thom said. "As a pale Indian, I had the advantage of being able to listen without putting people on the defensive."
Gerald Baker, superintendent of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, spoke at the flag presentation on the importance of Native Americans to the Lewis and Clark expedition.
"The story starts with the Indians, and we will once again be teaching the land and what it meant to the Indian people," Baker said.
Author and filmmaker Dayton Duncan also spoke at the flag presentation regarding the significance of the Indians in the expedition.
"It is a common misconception that Lewis and Clark traveled across a people-less land when they really traveled across the homeland of people who had been there for many years," Duncan said. "Had this been true Lewis and Clark would not have succeeded."
According to Baker, the Indians sometimes wanted to do away with Lewis and Clark but let them through anyway, and 200 years later they are participating in the commemoration to education young people about the power and spirit of the land, he said.
"What we are doing right now is for our children, our grandchildren and for those not yet born," he said.
The highlight of the commemoration will be held this Saturday, Jan. 18, and will be attended by Vice President Dick Cheney.
Read More
Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more
By Grace Traxler | 1 hours agoIn an informal Q&A session, audience members asked about threats to federal research, the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University, potential shifts in the Democratic Party and more.
Summer Language Institute sees record high enrollment in its 45th year
By Zach Minkin | 3 hours agoFor the first time in its 45-year history, SLI is featuring both four week and eight week options, where it previously only offered an eight week program.
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | 2 days ago"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
