Recapping “Beyond the Ohio,” with a Reminder That Native History Is American History

Last week Native peoples integral to early American history returned to Williamsburg in a symbolic reenactment of the visits of 18th-century diplomatic delegations. Relive this amazing event in pictures and video.

The main activity centered on the Indian encampment, where members of the Shawnee, Eastern Shawnee, Seneca-Cayuga, Wyandot, and Delaware nations interpreted aspects of their 18th-century cultures. Williamsburg, as the colonial capital, frequently hosted delegations from hundreds of miles away. This program, titled “Beyond the Ohio: Native Peoples of Virginia’s Old Northwest,” honored that shared history.

Thanks to Rob Hunter for the great photos!

And lest you think that the issues tackled back then have nothing to say to us today, consider what would have been on the 18th-century agenda: the maintenance of borders, forging alliances against common threats, the regulation of trade, and the diplomacy required for different cultural groups to come together to work out disagreements. Seems pretty modern, doesn’t it?

“It was an opportunity to rethink our knowledge of Native America,” said Buck Woodard, who built our American Indian Initiative and currently holds the position of Manager of Interpretive Program Development. “This helps to return native peoples back to the consciousness of Americans, and maybe introduces them to stories they haven’t heard before.”

A years-old tradition was renewed with an offering of tobacco grown at Great Hopes Plantation.

The gift carried a dual symbolism: first, reenacting the historic gift exchange with Native American delegations, but also the building of a relationship between Colonial Williamsburg as an institution and the tribal nations who shared their history and culture. “It shows we’re glad they came,” said Buck, “and we hope they’ll take the gifts back to their homes and think good things about us.”

Reciprocity and gift exchange was a crucial part of Euro-Indian relations in early America, but it remains an important aspect of relationship building today. Buck explained the importance of sharing something that would be valued in both an 18th-century and modern context. In addition to tobacco, previous gifts have included items like blue or red broadcloth for clothing, printed linens, ribbon, even peace medals for Cherokee delegations.

The evening program began with something really special, a thanksgiving address delivered in the Wyandot language. Today the Wyandot people primarily speak French and English; Wyandot is semi-dormant as a spoken language.

Buck worked with Wyandot linguists to incorporate some original language into elements of current programming, and the evening address was the biggest payoff. It’s a prayer to the world, an expression of thanks before beginning the celebration, he explained. “It moves from thank you to all realms of life: animals and plants; wind and earth; sun and moon. It shows where we fit in the cosmology.”

The address set the tone for the evening, featuring songs, stories, and social dances from the Indian nations. There were no strangers, as everyone immersed themselves in the sensory experience: shadows around the flickering fire, rattles punctuating the chanting call-and-response, smoke wafting in the evening’s chill.

The revelry is an experience we hope to duplicate down the road. “It’s about meeting people and getting to know each other,” which makes it an opportunity to unite past and present, as well as people from very different backgrounds, hopefully building a better understanding along the way.