On February 28 1803, President Thomas Jefferson was granted a twenty five hundred dollar commission to embark on a revolutionary journey to the west. This un-chartered territory was to be explored by Meriwether Lewis and his friend William Clark. Due to popular belief Lewis and Clark were not the first inhabitants of this western destiny, in fact people had been populating that region for generations. These "native" people were truly core in the experiences that the explorers had, throughout their journey the Corps of Discovery was forced to interact with and become educated in the Native American Society as well as their existing mentality. The relations and differences experienced on the expedition differed from one tribe to the next and the way in which this cultural connection unfolded truly sheds light on not only the importance of the journey but also the way in which we would deal with Native Americans in the future.

Throughout the expedition Lewis and Clark developed a pa

One of the first tribal encounters was with the Sioux people. On August 29,1804

Relations between the Corps of Discovery and the Native Americans were not always pleasant, in fact they encountered tribes that perceived them as an enemy. The relations differed directly with the jovial encounters that they had experienced before. In these circumstances the expedition needed to regroup and change its style of diplomacy in order to live within the tension. This at times posed problems resulting in threats concerning the well being if not the survival of the crew.

The relations varied from tribe to tribe, but there were overhauling themes governing the discourse of their relationship, trade and U.S. involvement in the decisions affecting their lives; this was received well by some and rejected by others. Considering the fact that this expedition was a complete imposition on these peoples way of life, I would say they were well received. Given the imperial attitude of our country with specific attention to our treatment of the Indians and our lack of concern for the culture and way of life, Lewis and Clark are tremendously fortunate that they were so well received by many of the tribes. For those who didn't receive them well we can only sympathize with their opposition to alien forces claiming stake on their land. Ironically this attitude of pushing the Native Americans aside became common practice in the United States for generations.

tterned system which they used when first enc

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