Anticipating an Indian Council

Anticipating an Indian Council. The Lewis and Clark Expedition. , President Jefferson gave detailed instructions to Captain Meriwether Lewis - they were to seek out, meet with, and learn from the American Indian nations along the journey., On July 28, 1884, the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed this overlook early in the morning and noted this area as "a bluff on starboard side as the first high land above the river." They observed a site below these bluffs where the "Aiawuay (Iowa) Indians formerly lived." Five miles downstream, and on the other side of the Missouri River, they passed an old Indian camp where the "Otteauze (Otoe) Indians" had once lived., In this vicinity, principal hunter George Drouillard met a "Missourie Indian" while out hunting in the prairie. Approachable and informative, he was one of the few remaining of his tribe and the first native person the Corps of Discovery encountered since their departure., On August 3, approximately 20 miles upriver, a council was held with the Otoe and Missouria tribes. This council was the first major meeting between a tribe and the Corps of Discovery. They gave speeches, smoked a pipe, awarded peace medals, and exchanged gifts. As a result, this whole region has become known as "Council Bluff.", In 1935, the Colonial Dames of America completed this monument commemorating Lewis and Clark's historic meeting with the Oto and Missouri Indian tribes. Restoration of the monument (1987 – 1993) was completed by the Lewis and Clark Monument Restoration Committee and the local community., In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent an expedition commanded by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory in order to find an all-water route to the Pacific Ocean, and to make peaceable contact with the native tribes. On May 14, 1804, the Corps of Discovery started their journey up the Missouri River. They reached the Pacific in November of 1805 and returned to St. Louis on September 23, 1806. They traveled more than 8,000 miles in two years, four months and nine days.