“Although we are…beyond the Bicentennial, the Tribal legacy established through partnerships and education is as strong today as it was then. As we move to the next generation of storytellers and students we will continue to commemorate the impacts of the 1804–1806 journey of the Corps of Discovery where native voice, cultural competency, and inspiration will provide a foundation for the future.“
–Scott Tucker, Superintendent, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park; interview with Richard Basch, July 2013
During the 2003-2006 Lewis & Clark Bicentennial, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service worked with the Circle of Tribal Advisors (COTA), Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucuses and others including the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation to “ensure that the voices of Tribal members, whose traditional homelands were crossed by members of the Corps of Discovery, were represented in this commemoration.” (1:vii) These initial efforts led to several fruitful initiatives such as the Tent of Many Voices, Tribal Legacy Project, and the Honoring Tribal Legacies curriculum project.
Circle of Tribal Advisors (COTA)
When the Lewis and Clark Expedition moved west of the Mississippi River they traveled through lands that were populated by a variety of people. The Corps of Discovery made diplomatic contact with and recorded information about more than 60 different tribal nations. The Corp’s journals tell of the diversity and complexity of native customs and languages…and of the tribes’ generosity, assistance and hospitality that allowed the Corps to survive.
The 2003-2006 national Bicentennial commemoration provided an unprecedented national stage for modern-day tribal governments to educate the public about the impact that westward expansion had on tribal lands and cultures, as well as the critical importance of Native American sacred site protection.
A Circle of Tribal Advisors (COTA) was created to facilitate this collaboration. Forty-one representatives of modern-day tribal governments worked to shape Bicentennial event guidelines to ensure that meaningful tribal involvement, histories and perspectives were included in national, state and local events.
Enough Good People
Enough Good People is a tremendous recollection that describes Tribal involvement in the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration from a Tribal perspective. It humbly honors those contributions made by so many Tribal and non-Tribal individuals, federal, state, county, city governments, educational institutions and non-government organizations. It also honestly assesses lessons learned, milestones, and work yet to be accomplished. It is a true gift and legacy itself to this event.
–Honoring Tribal Legacies, 1:72.
The book Enough Good People can be read or downloaded at the Tribal Legacy Project, dev.lc-triballegacy.org/enough-good-people/enough-good-people-the-book/.
More Lasting Legacies
The Tribal Legacy Project documents several more “Lasting Legacies” that grew from the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial including:
- “Lasting Legacies“—a comprehensive list of projects
- The National Signature Events (in development)
- The Corps II Events in Tribal Communities (in development)
- COTA’s Cultural Awareness Campaign