Your Girl Friday International

Book Review – Lewis & Clark through Indian Eyes 2006
Nine Indian Writers on the Legacy of the Expedition
Edited by Alvin M. Josephy Jr.

The book is one result of a decade of research by the Editor Alvin M. Josephy Jr. This collection of articles were written by a diverse group of individuals who are all connected by the fact that the Lewis & Clark expedition has had a significant impact on their lives. It is in these articles that attributes of the expedition that were not outlined in the famous Journals of Lewis & Clark. Which interestingly were not published until a century after the expedition occurred. Who really knows how much of the journals were edited before being released to the public? However, the answer to that question is for a future discussion. The current text provides the perspective of this major American historical event from native perspective. As outlined by the editor before the publishing of this text, did not exist hence placing this collection as a groundbreaking component of American Historical documentation.

Each article title page has a photo of the author who contributed the article, allowing the reader to place a face with the words and makes a profound impression as to the message conveyed in the article.

Vine DeLoria Jr., wrote Frenchmen, Bears and Sandbars
N. Scott Momaday, wrote The voices of encounter
Debra Magpie Earling, wrote What we see
Mark N. Trahant, wrote who’s your daddy?
Gerard A. Baker, wrote Mandan and Hidatsa of the upper Missouri
Roberta and Richard Basch, wrote The ceremony at Ne-Ah-Coxie
Roberta Conner, wrote Our people have always been here.
Allen V. Pinkham, Sr., wrote We Ya Oo Yet Soyapo
Bill P. Yellowtail. wrote Merriweather and Billy and the Indian Business

These articles range from a description of events, the landscape and geographical data of the land, as well as genetic pondering of a descendant of Clark.

As with all writings that show the true history of the atrocities committed against Indians, be ready to feel anger, empathy, sadness, disappointment, and courage to make a change.

On a final note, if this book is not already on your shelf, make a space, and add it to your collection.