Bill Speiden's Weekly Articles
Lewis and Clark This Week | January 17, 2005 | Back
By Bill Speiden, Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center
Article 7 of the series
Last week we saw some of the challenges of hunting in cold weather; and the impressive resistance the Indians had to the cold - though they were not completely immune.
The Indian political structure was loose but effective. How were "chiefs" selected?
The politics and protocol of various Indian tribes have been much misunderstood, as they involved traditions unfamiliar to us with our European heritage. Councils (meetings) were important, with protocol dictating proper seating, prayers, smoking of the pipe (NOT "peace pipe"; that is an incorrect white man’s term. Pipe smoking was used in many ceremonies, not only related to "peace" councils), and often honoring guests by placing a buffalo robe over their shoulders. Protocols varied somewhat amoung tribes, but all were markedly different from European-based governmental procedures. It was important for the captains to understand the Indian protocol and communication structure for diplomatic, treaty and trading purposes.
Plains Indian chiefs were not elected; nor did these Indians have organized coalitions to elevate one to power as in European-based politics. "Chiefs" (a white man word, not Indian: "leader" would be more accurate) were granted a certain power or position by a combination of their demonstrated leadership in battle, charisma, and respected thinking. Thus a man became a "chief" via character, not by authoritarian force, or vote. Most decisions in the village were made after careful deliberation of a council made up of the chiefs (leaders) and selected wise old men.
Most Indian nations were made up of a loose coalition of small bands, each of which followed the leader (chief) of their choice. These bands or groups were bound together by common needs and traditions such as hunting, defensive or offensive conflicts, sometimes farming, family and generally working together for the common good. Any band, family or individual could leave or join another band under another chief at will. Any attempt of a "chief" at becoming manipulative or tyrannical would quickly be met with the disapproval of his peers and followers. He would risk losing face and, hence, his position as his followers would go to other bands.
From the Lewis and Clark Journals:
January 17, 1805: "a verry windey morning hard from the North Thermometer at 0." Captain Clark
January 19: "Two men were sent with horses for meat. To the hunter’s camp, which was thirty miles down the river." Sergeant Gass
January 20: "Some men went up to the villages…gave[were given] plenty to eat, & when they had done eating they [the Mandans] gave a bowl of victuals to a buflows head which they worshiped…this So that the live ones [buffalo] may come in that we may git a Supply of meat. Some of them [Mandans] & indeed most of them have strange & uncommon Ideas, but very Ignorant of our forms & customs, but quick & sensible in their own way…" Private Whitehouse
January 21: "… one man verry bad with the pox [This was syphilis, not smallpox. Some of the men were getting venereal disease from the Indians who had been infected by the Canadian traders. The most utilized cure until penicillin was discovered 140 years later was mercury, a lethal poison in large quantities, but for generations, a viable medication in small doses]. Captain Clark
January 21: "A clear cold day. Our hunters returned to the fort and brought with them three horse load of venison and elk meat." Sergeant Gass
January 22: "a pleasant morning. All hands Employed at cutting away the Ice from round the Barge [keelboat] & pearogues. They Soon cut through the ice in places. The water Gushed over where they had cut so they had to quit cutting with axes, -…" Sergeant Ordway
January 23: "Snowy this morning. 2 men employed making hand Sleds for the Savages for which they Gave us corn & beans,-" Sergeant Ordway
Next week: We will see the Corps struggle to get their vessels free of the ice; and several of their medical procedures are put to use on Indians and Corps members alike.