Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Formal Exchange

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2025

1. First Formal Exchange Marker

Caption: (bottom right) Omaha hunters observed the lead buffalo, Te-nuga zing gaha-ta nonzhin for signs it was ready to break into a run because they knew the rest of the herd would follow. In the Omaha language, Te-nuga zing gaha-ta nonzhin means "the one who keeps watch." George Catlin, 1850, "Buffalo Bull Grazing"

Inscription. The Lewis and Clark Expedition's first meeting with Indians west of the Mississippi River happened ten miles north of here, in 1804. The Indians they met were members of the Oto and Missouri tribes.
Oto and Missouri tribal stories tell that their people listened politely to Lewis and Clark's speeches. Tribal members also re-tell stories about a magnifying glass that Lewis and Clark used to start a fire.
An air rifle fired by Lewis also made a strong impression. Firearms were nothing new to the Oto and Missouri. For generations, they had been exchanging beaver pelts and buffalo hides for the rifles of French traders. Lewis' air rifle was as powerful as any firearm they had seen, but it didn't use gunpowder and was nearly silent when fired.
None of the Oto or Missouri spoke English, although some spoke French. Lewis spoke English, so his speech was translated from English to French, and form French to the Oto and Missouri languages.
For Indians in this part of the country, white people had been part of the landscape for many years. But Lewis and Clark were the first representatives of the United States

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government to meet with the tribes of this region.

Erected by National Park Service, City of Omaha, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 41° 16.241′ N, 95° 55.197′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is on Gallup Drive near Freedom Park Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Gallup Drive, Omaha NE 68102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Time For Hunting Buffalo (here, next to this marker); We Wish To Be Neighborly

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2025

2. First Formal Exchange Marker

(here, next to this marker); Wanted: Men To Labor (within shouting distance of this marker); Hiring Local Experts (within shouting distance of this marker); Fatigue and Danger (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore the Route of Lewis & Clark (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A River of Change (approx. 0.4 miles away); A River of Hope (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.

Regarding First Formal Exchange. There is an audio component to this marker. Select a button and listen to "When he was a young man, Oliver Cayou, Sr. asked his grandfather to tell how his ancestors hunted buffalo, Listen to Mr. Cayou's re-telling of his grandfather's story." or "Mr. Cayou, an elder of the Omaha tribe, tells his grandfather's buffalo story in Umonhonm the tribe's native language."

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.