Times Past

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Articles posted on this page are intended to be of an Educational nature and intended for a young (8 to 16 years old) as well as a more Mature (16+ years old) audience.  Articles may cover any American History Era (Colonial, Fur Trade, Civil War for example) or may cover current Events (Rendezvous', Demonstrations, Re-Enactments, etc.)  Due to Web Site constraints, please limit article length to -2- pages of normal typed text.  You may also submit -1- photo or diagram related to your article.  Articles are subject to Web Master approval.  Submit articles to the Web Master via E-Mail to rmrondynews@juno.com

               The Indian Military 
                                   Duke “Smoke Talker” Paulsen            

   I had privilege this last Memorial Day weekend to preach a sermon at Lancaster’s Rendezvous.  To mark the occasion, I spoke about those military men and women who went on to fight for the freedom we enjoy today.  But the main thrust of the sermon that day was also to remember the American Indian in that they were just as much a part of our country’s history as the white man.            

   What brought this to mind was the activity of Rendezvous which we enjoy and celebrate today.  After all, the American Indian made major contribution to the Fur Trade Era.  If not for the American Indian, the white man would not have been able to learn about living off the land, where to hunt for the prized beaver, develop trade among the many tribes and to even take Indian wives during the later part of Rendezvous history.            

   The Indian tribes of the West like the Flathead, Nez Perce, Shoshone and Crow for example, were friendly to the White Man for the most part.  Though on occasion the Trapper would keep a weary eye peeled for a single member of a local tribe who didn’t like him.  In time, the friendlier tribes and Trappers would begin trading with each other.  Some Trappers, especially among the Crow, even took Indian wives and would bring their families to Rendezvous as evidenced by diaries written between 1836 and 1839 by Missionaries coming West. 


   There were two tribes that both the friendly tribes and Trappers had to look out for.  The Blackfoot, a warring tribe hated and feared by nearly all the tribes and the White Man, who would later become hated by them as well.  The Gros Ventres didn’t get along with other tribes either, were much like the Blackfoot, hating and making war.  Ironically, the Blackfoot and Gros Ventres did get along together to some degree, perhaps by sharing something in common: their hatred of themselves, the White Man and the rest of the tribes.

   Later as the White Man moved West after the Fur Trade Era, most, if not all the Indian tribes fiercely fought a common Enemy: the White Man.  They fought for their families, their tribe and their tribal nations.  With greater numbers and resources the White Man fought back and in time, prevailed, then relegated the Indian to the Reservations and second-class status.             

   But still, the American Indian, both as honored friend and honored enemy deserved to be remembered because they are as much, if not more, part of American History.  Why?            

   They were here first.  Therefore this country’s history began with them.  Being here first, the Indian was doing then in the 19th century what this country did in several wars during the 20th century: defending their homeland from invaders and their way of life.  The American Indian fought the invading White Man with vigor and courage not seen since the Revolutionary War.  The White Man did conquer the Indian but not before one key battle which may have changed the relationship between the two: The Little Big Horn.            

   At the Little Big Horn, General George Custer and his Command all laid dead from the resulting battle with several tribes, who would normally be fighting each other, united to defeat their common Enemy.  This would be the Indian’s last major and glorious victory against the White Man.            

   “In 1876, the Lakota-Sioux took that (American) flag from Custer” says John Around Him, “so that flag is ours, too.”[1]            

   Since that time, the American Indian as well as Alaska Native Americans, have served in several major wars including: the Battle of the Bulge in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, the First Gulf War and now Iraq. 

   “American Indians have the highest per-capita participation in the Armed Services of any ethnic group.  According to the Web site icasualties.org, 23 American Indians and Alaska Native Americans have died in Iraq as of the end of last year.” 

   “People always ask, why do the Indian people, who were treated so badly, step forward to serve their country?” says James Shaw Sr., “It’s that good old nation pride.” That “good old nation pride” is a very distinctive trait of the American Indian.  But it’s a trait that crosses racial lines, shared by most Americans who have served in the Military and those who have family members presently serving. 

   During a many-day funeral for Marine Corporal Brett Lundstrom, songwriter Wil Numkena wrote: “Throughout time, American Indians have had to defend themselves and their way of life . . . American Indian warriors have a long tradition of protecting their families, tribe and nation . . .” 

   “By tradition, American Indian people have always embraced their warriors upon their return from battle . . . Embraced them in heart, embraced them in spirit . . .” The tribute continued, “We mourn, but honor the warriors who have given their lives in the field of battle.  We embrace their spirit, for they are our very breath of life.” 

   Marine Corporal Brett Lundstrom was a member of the Oglala-Sioux tribe.  He volunteered to be in the Infantry and fought alongside the White Man and the Black Man in Iraq.  Corporal Lundstrom was killed by small arms fire in Fallujah on January 7, 2006, three months before his unit was to come Home.  He was 22 years old and received full Indian and Military honors.

[1] This and other quotes from the article “Wake for an Indian Warrior” by John Sheeler which appeared in the Rocky Mountain News, January 21 2006 Edition.