Today we went to
Washita National Battlefield. Some people are trying to get the name changed from battlefield to massacre site. There was a clash between the Cheyennes and the Americans in the dead of winter. It was at dawn and the Americans, led by Custer, murdered many Cheyenne men, women and children. The Native Americans were trapped in this Plains land and were being murdered. Some got away while others froze to death. The most cruel thing that I think that Custer did was round up and murder all of the ponies and horses. The Cheyenne people get their pony when they can walk. There horses are like their family members and they know each other very well.
It was very cool to be led on a tour by a Cheyenne woman whose relatives were at this camp. The people at the park were very nice. They did a lot of special things for us and we learned a lot. They helped us make spiritual shields and taught us about the proper manners of a tipi. At this place we learned so much about
Washita and the slaughter of the
Cheyenne people.
I really enjoyed reading this. What do you think about renaming the park.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a good idea.
I think that it's very important for us as people to see all sides of our history. In many cases the people who lived were heroes and victims. But they were also villians, scoundrels, thugs, and even commonplace, average, everyday people.
I greatly enjoyed reading your blogs, it has made my day! I love how you all are able to experience history, and to better understand the complexities of history -- both as it happens, as well as how we remember it.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to you all sharing your experiences on your return!
So why did Custer murder all the ponies? What did that do to the Cheyenne people?
ReplyDeleteWe have been reading about all your adventures, feel as if we know more about Oklahoma. You've all been doing some good writing. We were moved by your feelings about Custer's massacre of the Cheyenne and their ponies. We look forward to hearing more about it when you get home.
ReplyDelete