Indian Wars Battlefield Sites among Those Preserved by National Park Service

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

Native Brief: WASHINGTON - More than $1.2 million in National Park Service grants will be used to help preserve and protect America's significant battlefield lands. Of the total, $382,567 was granted to eight different programs that involve sites of Indian War battles.

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

The funding from the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) will support 25 projects at more than 76 battlefields nationwide.

"These grants help safeguard and preserve American battlefield lands," said Jon Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service. "It is important to protect these lands as symbols of individual sacrifice and national heritage for present and future generations."

This year's grants provide funding for projects at endangered battlefields from the Pequot War and various Indian Wars. Awards were given to projects entailing archeology, mapping, cultural resource survey work, documentation, planning, education and interpretation.

Winning projects include a digital, web-based tour of public interpretation and educational activities at Pequot War battlefields in Connecticut; and a nomination project for seven Nez Perce and Cheyenne-Great Sioux Wars in Montana.

Here is the breakdown of Indian War battlefields:

Alabama, University of South Alabama, $40,682

The goal of this project is to build upon a previous American Battlefield Protection Program grant to determine the locations of Creek War battle sites. From 1813 to 1814, the Redstick Creek Indians and American Militia fought each other throughout present-day Alabama. Documents produced will include a narrative report describing site significance, an artifact catalog for items found and preservation recommendations for sites discovered during the survey.

Colorado, Southeast Colorado Regional Task Force, $43,533

An associated battle site with the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, the history and significance of Bent's New Fort has been largely overlooked and unexamined. This project seeks to complete archeological and historical investigations to identify the extent, integrity and significance of Bent's New Fort. The archeological testing will allow for education, interpretation and preservation plans to be put into place in the future.

Connecticut, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, $36,460

Where previous American Battlefield Protection Program grants undertook archeological and historical research to identify and map the location of battles associated with the Pequot War, this project seeks to develop a regional community-based preservation initiative to preserve and interpret the battlefields. The project will develop outdoor interpretive programs, museums exhibits, and work with various educational institutions to inform the public about the memory and legacy of the Pequot War.

Connecticut, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, $67,960

This project will look specifically at the Battle of Mystic Fort, one of the Pequot War battles in Connecticut. Archeological detection will allow a close examination of the landscape to determine the sites of Pequot counterattacks. A database of combat actions and associated artifacts will be retained as a product as well as geographic information system (GIS) data files.

Kentucky, University of Kentucky Research Foundation, $27,079

Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky, was the site of numerous clashes between settlers and American Indian tribes, most notably the Shawnee Indians, who subjected the fort to a number of sieges and skirmishes between from 1775 to the end of the Revolutionary War. This project will use archeological testing to identity battle lines and map them using GIS technology. Additionally, a management plan, signage and a museum exhibit will be produced.

Montana, Montana Preservation Alliance, $66,100

This project seeks to determine the location and significance of several Nez Perce and Cheyenne-Great Sioux Wars battles which occurred on the Montana landscape. Because none of them have been adequately documented, the project will establish National Register nominations for seven of the battlefields. The larger goal of this project is to educate the public about the importance of the sites, protective stewardship and proactive preservation efforts that can be taken by landowners.

Montana, University of Montana, $62,633

Rosebud Battlefield, a National Historic Landmark designated site, was one of the largest battles of the Indian Wars. The Northern Cheyenne and Lakota Indians destroyed the cornerstone of the army's Great Sioux campaign, leaving General Custer to later be defeated at the Battle of Little Bighorn. This project will begin to delineate the boundaries of the battlefield using systemic metal detector surveys and consultation knowledgeable tribal members.

South Carolina, South Carolina Research Foundation, $38,120

In 1736, two French armies were decisively beaten by the Chickasaw Indians in two battles around present-day Tupelo, Mississippi. This project will define boundaries for the Ackia and Ogoula Tchetoka battlefields using archeological detection and collating previous historical research. The results will be used to increase public awareness about the significance of these battles and their connection to Chickasaw culture.

posted August 1, 2011 6:15 am edt

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What about MINNESOTA, and the Great DAKOTA CONFLICT,,,,This NEVER gets enough attention,,,,even the over 800 whites and numerous SANTEE's died in the lower...