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Ilchee, A Powerful Chinook Woman

The river known to the Chinook Indians as Hyas Cooley Chuck collides with the Pacific Ocean to create the worst wave conditions on the planet. While Native people regularly crossed the Bar in their large ocean-going canoes, the rough water stopped many of the early European explorers who were looking for the mythical River of … Continued

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A collection of Plateau Indian artifacts (photo diary)

The East Benton County Museum in Kennewick, Washington, has a number of American Indian artifacts from the Plateau culture area on display. The East Benton County Museum is shown above. Shown above are some examples of bead and shell necklaces and beadwork. The photograph above shows Indians fishing on the Columbia River before the dams … Continued

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Christians and Indians in 1818

During the nineteenth century, the policy of the United States government was to encourage, and sometimes require, the conversion of American Indians to Christianity. Christianity was seen as a key element in “civilizing” American Indians and thus, the American government not only encouraged Christian missionaries, Indian agents actively discouraged the practice of traditional Indian ceremonies. … Continued

Christians and Indians

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American Indians 350 Years Ago, 1669

In 1669, the impact of the European invasion was being felt by Indian nations throughout North America. The European explorers were attempting to discover what they viewed as a wilderness, following Indian trails with Indian guides, and ignoring any possibility of Indian claims to the land. European missionaries sought to convert Indians to Christianity, ignoring … Continued

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Mayor Pete Muldoon Replaces Trump/Pence Picture with Shoshone Chief Washakie at Town Hall

https://www.google.com/search?q=Shoshone+Chief+Washakie&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiM1dCR_LzUAhUE2GMKHXqMC-kQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=662#imgrc=qn_AcJbA5VgYlM: Despite the sentiment behind Washakie’s photo in Town Hall, using it as a replacement for President Trump is seen by some people as disrespectful. I challenge the idea it is “disrespectful,” when Trump supporters mean disloyal. Traditionally government buildings are adorned with pictures of the United States’ chief executives. Mayor Pete Muldoon, however, recently … Continued

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The Fur Trade in Northwest Montana, 1807-1835

The Indian nations living west of the Rocky Mountains in what would become northwestern Montana, started to become a part of the European economic system in the first part of the nineteenth century through the fur trade. From 1800 to about 1835, beaver was of primary importance, driven in large part by European fashion. By … Continued

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America’s Christian General vs the Nez Perce

As a Christian nation, the United States has never been comfortable with the idea that American Indians might have their own non-Christian religions or that Indian spiritual leaders could provide role-models for other Indians. Under the European notion of the Discovery Doctrine, the United States felt that it had a legal right to rule over … Continued

Nez Perce