Lewis and Clark, Native Americans, and the USGS

Reconstructed Mandan Indian Village on the Missouri River

Native Americans were influential in identifying various species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, plants, trees, and shrubs. They also helped Lewis and Clark in determining river routes and basic survival. In fact, the book Lewis and Clark by Robert Ferris and the National Park Service recognizes the scientific contributions of Native Americans to the expedition.

President Thomas Jefferson's instructions to Lewis emphasized the fact that the expedition had a scientific mission. Native Americans along the way helped Lewis and Clark gather scientific data, such as the migration habits of plains animals. The Lewis and Clark expedition and their interaction with Native cultures has much to teach us. In fact, President Bush pointed this out in a July 3, 2002 address to the Voyage of Discovery Summit.

. . . I urge all Americans to learn more about Lewis and Clark and how the expedition changed our nation, and at the same time, to learn more about our native culture. . .

The U.S. Geological Survey has a role to play in the American learning experience. In fact direction comes from the President's July 1, 2002 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Proclamation:

. . . .I also direct Federal agencies to work in cooperation with each other, States, tribes, communities, and the National Council of the Lewis and Clark bicentennial to promote educational, cultural, and interpretive opportunities for citizens and visitors to learn more about the natural, historical, and cultural resources that are significant components of the Lewis and Clark story. . . .

Learn more by viewing following web pages and publications regarding U.S. Geological Survey and Native American projects.

Channel Processes, Quinault Indian Reservation

Effects of produced waters at oilfield production sites on the Osage Indian Reservation, northeastern Oklahoma

Federal and Indian Lands Map from the National Atlas

Gila River Indian Community middle-school students learn about streamflow and water quality of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

Hydrogeologic and Water-Quality Reconnaissance of the Artesian Aquifer Under the Shoalwater Bay Indian Reservation and Tokeland Peninsula, Pacific County, Washington, 1998-99

Hydrologic Investigation of Grande Wash Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian Community Near Fort McDowell, Arizona

Internal Surface Water Flows FL96-620 - Fresh Water to and from Native American Lands

Native American Legends of Tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest

Publications related to the Fort Totten Sioux on the Spirit Lake Reservation of North Dakota

Publications related to the Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) on the Fort Berthold Reservation of North Dakota

U.S. Geological Survey Activities Related to American Indians and Alaska Natives - Publications

USGS Activities Related to American Indians and Alaska Natives

Water Resources of the Swinomish Indian Reservation