B21: Experiencing American History with Lewis and Clark, Pioneers, Lakota Indians and Oxen—a Different Perspective - 3 units
Bill Speiden              
Tues. 1:00–2:30 p.m. - Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18, Dec. 2         
Meadows Presbyterian Church - Limit: 25

Bill Speiden, a retired dairy farmer with American history as his avocation, has been working with oxen for over 30 years. He has interpreted the Oregon/California trail (complete with circle of wagons and campsite), as well as interpreting 1776, 1849, and the 1860s with the oxen at dozens of events; has participated in re-enactments, fairs and festivals; has developed slide shows based on his “living history” experiences in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho; and has ridden with the Lakota Indians in South Dakota commemorating in 2002 Big Foot’s December 1890 ride to Wounded Knee. During the 2004-06 Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery 200th anniversary, Speiden wrote a “This Week with Lewis and Clark” chronological series appearing in five area newspapers.

Each of five classes will deal with a different aspect of American history, presented in chronological order. Each section will dwell on characters of the era and the consequences of their influence, with short homework assignments becoming the focus of discussion at the following class.

Class 1: American history starting with Jefferson and his western expansion plans. This section will deal with the Lewis and Clark expedition in depth and its effects on history from the indigenous perspective.

Class 2: The Oregon/California Trail aspect and its influence on our western occupation. Relationships with the Indians will be discussed.

Class 3: The Bozeman Trail and Red Cloud’s success against the U.S. Army in Wyoming.

Class 4: The killing of Sitting Bull in 1890 and his bands joining those of Big Foot, which led to Wounded Knee.  Discussion will center on the people involved and consequences for the American Indian.

Class 5: A discussion based on homework from the previous class. Time permitting, this class will include a discussion on the use of oxen in an historical perspective and their training.