9/17/2011 | Arrow Rock State Historic Site | Arrow Rock, MO
The Missouria people were the first American Indians encountered by European explorers venturing up the Pekitanoui River—the waterway we know as the Missouri River. This Indian nation called itself the Nyut^achi, which translates to “People of the River Mouth,” and had been a dominant force in the Louisiana Territory of the pre-colonial era. When first described by the Europeans in 1673, they numbered in the thousands. But by 1804, when William Clark referred to them as “once the most numerous nation in this part of the continent,” fewer than 400 Missouria remained. The state and Missouri River are the namesake of these historic Indians, but little of their history is known today. Michael Dickey, site administrator, tells the story of these Indigenous Americans in his book “The People of the River’s Mouth.” The willingness of members of the Otoe-Missouria tribe to share their knowledge contributed to this research and allowed the origin and evolution of the Missouria tribe to be analyzed in depth. Dickey will review the material culture and history of the Missouria people he has uncovered while writing his book in a PowerPoint presentation. There will be a book signing following the close of the presentation.
Event time: 10 a.m. to noon
Associated activities
- Interpretive Programs