Prof. Boerner's Explorations

Edited by Gerald Boerner

Commentary:

After watching the Ken Burns movie on the Lewis and Clark Expedition on PBS, coming back to writing on it was viewed with enthusiasm. The expedition was commissioned before the Louisiana Purchase was made between Jefferson and Napoleon in 1803. But with the purchase, the expedition became even more important to our young nation. The Corps of Discovery was given a primary charge: find a waterway by which shipping from the Eastern U.S. could reach the West Coast Oregon Territory (then owned by England).

The Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide thwarted the quest for the Northwest Passage one more time, but the expedition yielded rich scientific and cultural riches. The crew collected animal and plant specimens unknown before that time to the Euro-Americans. In addition, the Corps was the first group to view the Great Plains and its herds of Buffalo. The Corps also encountered numerous Native American groups; all were relatively friendly except for the Lakota Sioux. And this was the first American group to reach the Pacific coast via an overland route!

One of the unexpected revelations of the research about this expedition was the encounter with the concept of the Doctrine of Discovery. Basically, this doctrine explained to me the reasoning behind the view of European explorers during the Age of Discovery, namely, that when an explorer claimed a new land for their King or Queen. The native population was seen as occupying the land, not owning it. Therefore, the European discoverers could make the claim on it. It will be worth studying that section of the post and its supportive articles more carefully.

So we need to get on with the show and start our further exploration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition…  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2011 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 4156 Words ]
    

Quotations Related to MERIWETHER LEWIS:

“Great numbers of the Indians pass our camp on their hunting excursions: the day was clear and pleasant, but last night was very cold and there was a white frost.”
— Meriwether Lewis

“The weather was fine and moderate. The hunters all returned, having killed during their absence three elk, four deer, two porcupines, a fox and a hare.”
— Meriwether Lewis

“We had high and boisterous winds last night and this morning: the Indians continue to purchase repairs with grain of different kinds.”
— Meriwether Lewis

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Edited by Gerald Boerner

Commentary:

We examine today another of our infamous encounters with Native Americans, the episode with Chief Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse led the Oglala Sioux band that helped massacre a Cavalry group at Peno creek in Wyoming. He was involved in the massacre of Custer’s 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn. He was seeking to keep his people free to live their traditional life on the plains. But that was not to be.

He attempted to lead his band off the reservation like with Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. While Chief Joseph surrendered when he saw that his people could not continue, Chief Crazy Horse continued to do battle with the U.S. Cavalry throughout the Dakota and Montana territories. The Battles continued until the final confrontation at Wolf Mountain in Southern Montana. After his capture, he was taken to the Spotted Tail Agency, where he was mortally wounded by guards during a supposed escape attempt.

So ended one of the last major skirmishes in the Indian Wars. We witnessed through this history the demise of some of a great many Native American cultures who existed in harmony with the land. Yes, there were hostile groups that attacked the settler on their homelands, but did this justify the response from the army? Probably not.

It marked a transition to a consumer and planned obsolescence society. I guess that we win some and we ose some. In this case, we may have lost a great deal — Living in harmony with our environment!

So, lets get started on today’s exploration…  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2010 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 3992 Words ]

Quotations Related to SIOUX:

“Crazy Horse saw history as integrated in the present, incorporated into daily life.”
— Stephen Ambrose

“I had many enemies among the Sioux; I would be running considerable risk in meeting them.”
— Buffalo Bill

“I differ materially from Capt. Lewis, in my account of the numbers, manners, and morals of the Sioux.”
— Zebulon Pike

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Edited by Gerald Boerner

Commentary:

We turn our attention today to one of many episodes of our country not living up to its promises in Indian treaties. We refer to the Massacre at Wounded Knee. When the treaty to relocate the Lakota Sioux to reservations in the Dakota Territory, promises were made to allow them to continue hunting, but also guaranteed then provisions IF they gave up their Black Hills land. It would seem that the only part of the treaty to be honored was the promise “to take their land.”

As the white families started to settle the territory, they also started to slaughter the buffalo. That left the Indians without enough food and supplies. Also, the discovery of gold in the Black Hills didn’t help much. When the Indian agents couldn’t supply the needs, a right under the treaty, the Lakota started to adopt the messianic vision of Tom Wilson (Wovoka) — the Ghost Dance.

This religion/ceremony incited the Indians to a militant frenzy. The white settlers reacted with fear. They called on the Army for protection. Unfortunately, this led to the death of Sitting Bull, which fueled the fires of resistance among the Indians. This would lead to the Massacre on this day, December 29th, in 1890. Up to 300 Indians were slaughtered that day including many unarmed women and children.

This battle still stirs emotional responses among Indian rights groups today. So, let’s start our exploration of this event…  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2010 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 3801 Words ]
    

Quotations Related to SIOUX

“I had many enemies among the Sioux; I would be running considerable risk in meeting them.”
— Buffalo Bill

“We had avoided discovery by the Sioux scouts, and we were confident of giving them a complete surprise.”
— Buffalo Bill

“I differ materially from Capt. Lewis, in my account of the numbers, manners, and morals of the Sioux.”
— Zebulon Pike

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Edited by Gerald Boerner

Commentary

Due to injury, this commentary will be added later. Please check back. Thank you.  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2010 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 2460 Words ]

Quotations Related to SCULTURE

“A sculpture is just a painting cut out and stood up somewhere.”
— Frank Stella

“Architecture is inhabited sculpture.”
— Constantin Serra

“Good painting is the kind that looks like sculpture.”
— Michelangelo

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