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This project was made possible by a grant from Grizzly Riders International. The concept was by Dr. Harry W. Fritz, The Department of History, The University of Montana.

Realization on the map is by Joseph A. Mussulman.

Additional funding and support by The Bookstore at the University of Montana. Website Design by Spectral Fusion, 2003.

University of Montana students with Spectral Fusion Design developed this website. David Slote, UM Business Intern, coordinated the design efforts. It was made possible by a grant from Grizzly Riders International. This collaborative effort showcases UM students’ talents while providing superb educational material for Montana public schools, libraries, and the academic community.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Mike & Maureen Mansfield Library at The University of Montana.

Native Voices: The New Lewis and Clark Expedition

Harry W. Fritz
Department of History
The University of Montana

The torch has been passed. For two hundred years the story of Lewis and Clark has been told by white American males-editors from Nicholas Biddle to Gary Moulton, historians from Bernard DeVoto to Stephen Ambrose, Lewis and Clark themselves. No more. "Jefferson's West," the kickoff bicentennial celebration at Charlottesville and Monticello in January 2003, said it all. Jefferson 's West? He never visited. Others lived there. Now it's their story.

The most dramatic breakthrough at Charlottesville was the appearance on stage of Native American people, descendants of the tribes Lewis and Clark visited, spokespersons for their people today. Fascinating hints of a new Native American interpretation of the Expedition emerged. Can we connect their dots, and create a new story?

In his kickoff keynote, James P. Ronda insisted that he story of Lewis and Clark cannot henceforward be told without Native American voices. I'll take that one step further: white Americans have told us all that they can about the Expedition, and all that is new and exciting will come from Native voices.