Native Americans: Friends or Foes?
Lewis and Clark knew that they could only succeed in traveling across the continent if they had assistance from those who lived there. They needed their help to understand the geography, weather and wildlife that they would be facing on their journey. As most of us know, Sacajawea, a Lemhi Shoshone woman, famously helped Lewis and Clark as a guide and translator.
Without the Native American's help the expedition may never have gotten past St. Louis. Lewis and Clark therefore set out as ambassadors of good will, and at President Jefferson's request, attempted to make treaties and become trading partners with as many native tribes as possible. Though...not all tribes were open to outsiders.
Without the Native American's help the expedition may never have gotten past St. Louis. Lewis and Clark therefore set out as ambassadors of good will, and at President Jefferson's request, attempted to make treaties and become trading partners with as many native tribes as possible. Though...not all tribes were open to outsiders.
SS.8.A.4.3: Examine the experiences and perspectives of significant individuals and groups during Westward Expansion.
Task: Friend or Foe
As you can see below, Lewis and Clark carried symbols of peace wherever they went to help gain the Native Americans' trust. One such symbol is the "Peace Medal" you see below. This medal was presented to the leaders of tribes to show that the expedition meant no harm. Analyze the images and the passages below. For this task, you will be talking from the viewpoint of one of the Native Americans. How would you feel about these outsides coming into your homeland? Would you trust them? What would you do if you were the leader of one of these tribes and was presented with a "Peace Medal?"
Friends...
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...Foes
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- Speaking from the perspective of a Native American, are these strangers (the explorers) friends or foes? Why?
- Make sure to provide a well-reasoned explanation (one paragraph or drawings) that supports your argument.
- Title this entry "Friend or Foe?"