Special to the HT
MEEKER | There is a spring break or summer tradition here that many local families continue to honor when they go on their annual vacations each year. It could be called taking a family vacation to new places, some overseas, and learning the history of the entire United States. This is only one way they kept their own children interested in American history. This was in addition to our area’s own historical sites.
The White River Indian Agency employed Nathan Meeker and his staff to take charge of this reservation when Danforth, the previous Indian agent, gave it up. Meeker was a fervent Christian who had founded the Greeley Colony before he took employment here. His debts and his Christian beliefs led him to make sure all of the “heathens” were converted and made to give up their previous lifestyle.
It was said by both parties involved that the conflict that boiled over in 1879 resulted in the loss of lives in the Battle of Milk Creek on the edge of the original reservation and inside the Ute Reservation. Meeker and his men were killed right before the Army arrived. This also ended with the capture of the white women and children who were taken from the agency.
It was said that Meeker was not only enforcing restrictions on their freedom, but also making sure that the Indian ponies so valued by the Utes lost their grazing and racing grounds when they were plowed up to make room for buildings and to speed up the process of assimilation. Conflict was soon to follow after Meeker took charge when Mr. Danforth left. Apparently, Danforth treated the Utes very differently than Nathan Meeker. They seemed to have lived fairly peaceably on the reservation previously.
The government rations and provisions encouraged this loss of freedom the tribe needed to continue life as they had known it. The treaties they signed were broken by the federal government not long after they were signed. Years later, the Utes and the original settlers and their descendants had not ended the harsh feelings about those events.
The federal policy enacted at the same time was given the lofty title of Manifest Destiny and was used to try to eradicate Indigenous people across our young, developing nation. This was the primary solution used when the reservation system was met with fierce resistance.
Traveling on part of the Oregon Trail by car, or visiting the historic sites that were part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ migration and settlement in Utah, has been one of the ways many families traveled to far-flung destinations to learn more about our country’s history during their annual vacations.
This summer, our local historical society has worked hard to secure its second traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian. The Americans arrived at the museum’s cultural center at the end of May and will be here until after the Fourth of July. Finally, a version of a staycation has come to the White River Valley.
The free admission is a bonus, as is the high quality of the exhibit and the convenience it provides to our local community as they view this unique display. Unpack those bags, folks, and show your support by showing up for this wonderful addition to our Range Call activities.
If your family can’t enjoy this exhibit during our local Range Call Days, you can run down to the Rio Blanco Historical Society’s Cultural Center and take a peek now. It is worth a mini-staycation.
By DOLLY VISCARDI
