From Lewis & Clark to Medicine Creek:
The Encounter of Two Worlds
Presented by Historian and Author Drew Crooks
 Most of the Lewis & Clark expedition's journey along the Columbia River took place in what is now Washington, including the surveying they did to mark their arrival at the Pacific Ocean at Station Camp. The "End of Our Voyage" exhibit tells the story of the expedition's journey through Washington, showing the route and campsites in detail.
From Lewis & Clark to Medicine Creek: The Encounter of Two Worlds presentation will examine the dramatic meeting in the Pacific Northwest of Native Americans and Euro-Americans in the first half of the nineteenth century. In 1805, the Lewis &Clark expedition arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River. The men of the exploring party found the region controlled by Native tribes closely attuned to the natural environment. In a real sense, Lewis & Clark were guests of the Indians, dependent upon them for supplies and information.
The encounter of Indians and Euro-Americans continued after Lewis & Clark left the area in the spring of 1806. Fur trade activities of British and American companies impacted the economic and social life of the Native Americans. In particular, the Hudson's Bay Company closely worked with Indians to exploit the natural resources of the region then known as the Oregon County. Euro-American artists, explorers and missionaries visited the area and recorded their impressions of a changing frontier.
This slide-illustrated class will help students understand the importance of the encounter between Indians and Euro-Americans in the history of the Pacific Northwest. The instructor will explain how this meeting of two worlds changed forever the lives of real people from different cultural backgrounds. Students will learn that decisions in the nineteenth century had consequences that continue to the present day.
- Variety of viewpoints will be fairly represented.
- There will be time for questions and answers.
- The instructor will have thought provoking questions for students throughout the program.
- Students will be able to discuss the importance of the encounters between Native tribes and the Lewis & Clark expedition.
- Discussion works well with a creative writing assignment
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