1. Lewis and Clark: The Significance of the Sioux Indians
By Danielle Poindexter

2. Thomas Jefferson Made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803
Selected Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the new territory
Wanted to make peaceful trade relationships with Native Americans…
Specifically the Sioux tribes

3. Goals of the Expedition
Most commonly known: to find a water route to the pacific
To draw maps of the new territory
To find new species
To make known the new proprietors of the Louisiana territory
To make contact with the Indians and establish trade relationships
To make a knowledgeable contribution to commerce and the United States government

4. Why the Sioux? Prime focus of the mission Military strength
Influence on trade
Economic potential

5. The Journey Begins… May 21, 1804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
Encounters:
over three hundred new species of plants and animals
grizzlies
the Rocky Mountains
almost fifty Indian tribes

6. The Largest Impact
The Native Americans, by far, had the most significant impact on the expedition.
Specifically, the Sioux tribes

7. The Yankton Sioux Described as stout and bold looking Peaceful
Encountered August of 1804
Both pictures available from:

8. The Yankton Sioux (cont.)
Welcoming and hospitable to the explorers
Eager to preserve nation and begin a trade relationship with the U.S.
Warned the Lewis and Clark about their neighbors farther up the Missouri River, the Teton Sioux

9. The Teton Sioux Arrived in Teton territory September, 1804
Teton Sioux were notorious for being very aggressive and territorial
Charged tolls for merchants travelling through their territory
Did not want a relationship with the United States
Already well supplied and dominated trade on the Missouri River

10. The Teton Sioux (cont.) Did not wish to be ruled by the United States
Felt threatened and angered by the explorers who now claimed their land
James Ayers, “The History Behind Encounter with the Teton Sioux,” James Ayers, 2013; available from Internet; accessed 23 November 2013

11. Confrontation with the Teton Sioux
The first- began in September 1804
Met the Brule band of Teton Indians, led by chief Black Buffalo
Greeted with hostility
Lack of an interpreter led to more misunderstandings

12. Chief Black Buffalo Led the Brule band of Teton Sioux
Wise, reasonable, and cool-headed leader
Without his intervention, his people would have slaughtered the explorers
He knew Lewis and Clark had powerful friends and should be dealt with carefully

13. The Second Teton Confrontation
As Lewis and Clark were headed home
On August 30, 1806, as the group of explorers was approaching present-day Yankton, South Dakota
Once more confronted Black Buffalo’s band of Brule Tetons
Taunts and threats were made, but no one was harmed

14. In Conclusion… Lewis and Clark returned home on September 23, 1806
Following the confrontations on the expedition, there were years of battles between the Sioux and the United States.
The name of the river the two parties met on is called the ‘Bad River,’ in remembrance of the “bad humor” between them

15. In the end, the expedition reported home with valuable knowledge of the Louisiana territory and its inhabitants…
But Lewis and Clark’s mission to make peaceable trade relationships with the Sioux was unsuccessful.

16. A Map of the Expedition Route
Lewis and Clark Expedition Routes and Control of Lands. Digital image. National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 23 Nov <

17. Bibliography
“Heading into Danger?” National Geographic, 1996; available from Internet; accessed 23 November 2013
James Ayers, “The History Behind Encounter with the Teton Sioux,” James Ayers, 2013; available from Internet; accessed 23 November 2013
James P. Ronda, “Lewis & Clark among the Indians,” University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln and London, 1984; available from Internet; accessed 23 November 2013
“Standoff with the Teton Sioux” National Geographic, 1996; available from Internet; accessed 23 November 2013
“The Native Americans,” PBS; available from Internet; accessed 23 November 2013
“The Teton Sioux,” The Louisiana Expansion; available from Internet; accessed 23 November 2013