Stop Lewis & Clark!

Resistance Group Position Statement

(Released September 17, 2004)

            A non-profit organization calling itself “Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri” has launched a multimillion dollar, 3-year bicentennial living history reenactment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

            A group of sovereign resistors from the Lakota, Dakota, Ponca, Kiowa, Northern Cheyenne & other indigenous nations (including tribal headsmen, spiritual leaders, grandmothers, students, & young children) have organized around the message: “Why Commemorate Genocide?”.  We contend that the original Lewis & Clark Expedition was the Dawn of Genocide for all indigenous nations of this land.  In the 200 years since L & C opened the door to the devastation of our people & way of life, indigenous nations have experienced massacre, murder, land theft & the continued cultural genocide of our people today. 

            After the original “Voyage of Discovery”, Captain Clark wrote of the Teton Sioux, “These are the vilest miscreants of the savage race & must ever remain the pirates of the Missouri, until such measures are pursued, by our government, as will make them feel a dependence on its will for their supply of merchandise.”  Under the guidance of Thomas Jefferson, the architect of genocide, their mission was accomplished & the effects of their actions still hold true today among our indigenous nations.

            The L & C Reenactment states that tribal governments are supporting them & welcoming them.  It must be remembered that the Tribal governments across this land are colonial governments put in place & funded by the Interior Department of the U.S. government.  These governments most often represent an assimilated, colonized viewpoint, & not the true feelings of their native people. 

            The spiritual genocide of indigenous people has not been successful! Today there are families and tiospaye (extended families) that have a sovereign heart &  Lakota spirit!  Some indigenous peoples of this land have held onto our culture & ways of life, & continue to believe that the treaties our ancestors signed with the United States remain the supreme law of the land.

            Just as our ancestors opposed the original trespassers into Oceti Sakowin Territory (Great Sioux Nation), we stand in protest to the reenactment of the Lewis & Clark 2004-2006 expedition, which represents the Dawn of Genocide to freedom thinking natural peoples of this land.

            We must never forget the past & we must continue to teach the future generations about the devastation brought by European immigrants.

            The Stop Lewis & Clark Resistance Group has made a commitment to stop this reenactment.  If L&C continues this travesty, we will be present at every stop along the Mni Sose (Missouri River) to voice our opposition & educate the general public about the historical & contemporary American policies of devastation toward indigenous peoples.

(This direct action occurring in the Plains-the Treaty Territory of the Lakota-was led by Victorio Camp, Lakota/Ponca of Owe Aku and Unite to Fight!  Vic organized young people from across Lakota Country to Protest the Lies of the L& C Reenactment & to expose the lies & genocide that followed L & C).

For further information, please contact Alex White Plume at (605) 455-1142, Floyd Hand at (605) 867-5762, or Vic Camp at (605) 455-1122, contact Vic at: victorio@gwtc.net).