American Indian History
Information and Facts
Indian Wars Of The Old West:
Wyoming
Wagon Box Fight, Wyoming
On August 2, 1867, Capt. James Powell with a force of 31 men survived repeated attacks by the Sioux near Fort Phil Kearny, Wyoming Territory.
Powell’s defenders, acting as guards for woodcutters, took refuge in a corral formed by laying 14 wagons end-to-end in an oval configuration. The battle lasted five hours with Powell losing 5 men killed and 2 wounded.
Powell reported killing 60 Indians and wounding 120. The soldiers survived the attacks primarily due to the recent addition of breech-loading weapons. The site is operated by the Wyoming State Parks.
Fetterman, Wyoming
The Fetterman battle was fought near Fort Phil Kearny, Wyoming Territory on December 21, 1866.
Angered at white interlopers traveling through their country, Sioux and Cheyenne forces continually harassed the soldiers at Fort Phil Kearny, constructed to provide emigrant protection along the newly opened Bozeman Trail.
On the morning of December 21, Sioux and Cheyenne warriors were able to decoy Capt. William J. Fetterman and 80 men out of the fort and over Lodge Trail Ridge, four miles away. The carefully planned ambush worked to perfection. Fetterman and every man in his detachment died. The State of Wyoming operates the site.
Native American Event Calendar from nativegatherings.com:
March 13th, 2010 - 8th Annual Social Powwow
Please come to Willamette University's 8th Annual Social Powwow.
Despite being primarily a social powwow, there is a Women's Traditional contest this year, open to all ages, with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Raffle: Grand prize - Pendleton Blanket.
Vendors please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs if interested at the phone number below.
March 13th, 2010 - Lawilowan American Indian Festival
Third annual Lawilowan American Indian Festival, March 13th (one day event) to be held at NEW LOCATION: Student Recreation Center, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA. This is a newer, larger venue, as we had over 300 dancers March 2009, and over 3,000 attendees from the general public. Univ. street directions to follow. This is a traditional, non-competitive festival, put on as a gift to the American Indian people. All proceeds will benefit the American Diabetes Association, Awakening the Spirit Project. 21 NA vendors. All vendors and drums by invitation only! All dancers and vendors will be provided dinner by event organizer at no charge. Concession stand for general public. Admission: $5. Elders 65 and over, and children 10 and under free admission. Open to the public 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Grand Entry: Noon. Head dancers to be announced. Drums: TBA. Emcee: TBA. Arena Director: Many Hawks. Entertainment: TBAmore »
March 18th, 2010 - Training: Fathers and Tradition Coaches
Presented by Wellbriety Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Registration includes materials $450. All are welcome to training.more »
March 19th, 2010 - 36th Annual Denver March Powwow
Witness the pagentary and beauty of tribal dances as performed by over 1,000 American Indian Dancers. Inspired by time-honored songs, performed by 30+ drum groups. Watch a grand entry which begins each session. It has been described as "a magnificant array of color, motion, and sound. Storytellers share the legacies, legends, and histories of a distinguished and proud people. Enjoy the works of tribal craftsmen at 180 booths. Enjoy a freshly made Fry Bread or Indian Taco.more »
March 19th, 2010 - March Native Food Concession