The American Indian Wars by Mr D Charters

A most interesting and well researched talk was given on Monday 26^th January at our Society meeting at Edge Hill University.

We heard how American Indian tribes had fought with valour and bravery to protect their land against the white settlers, who wanted them to move to another reservation many miles from the homes they had established.

Force was used by the USA soldiers and the Indians were shown as cruel, but some tribes were generous and wanted equality.  Both sides of the story were revealed in the talk and not just as had been reported in books or films in later years.  The Indians were a proud people who wanted to keep their land, livestock, women and children.  Chief Joseph and others had said that the white man had made many promises, but only kept one – to take their land – and this they did.

The tribe in our talk had travelled 1,500 miles fleeing to Canada and Mr Chater spoke in great detail of this journey. Bringing the conflict to life, we heard about the tactics, weaponry and loss of lives.  As the Indians were outnumbered by soldiers and many were killed on both sides, the tribe finally resolved that they would not complete the journey having lost 151 dead, and from an initial 700 people, only 240 made the journey weak, injured and hungry after many months of travelling.

A total of 151 were killed in retreat and 176 enemy soldiers were killed with 140 seriously wounded. A terrible loss of life occurred on both sides in battles for land, and the removal of the cultural identity of one group of people.  

There are now approximately 20,000 of this tribe living in Idaho which brought this fascinating talk to a happy end.

Report by Pamela Harrison