When Lewis and Clark arrived among the Nez Perce in 1805, they were sick and on the verge of starvation. Had the Nez Perce allowed them to die or even killed them, the tribe would have easily become the wealthiest in the area. Instead, the Nez Perce helped Lewis and Clark, ultimately ensuring that the completion of their expedition became a reality. Lewis and Clark would likely have died without their help.
However, the kindness shown by the Nimiipuu (the tribe’s self-designated name) to the explorers would not be repaid in the decades that followed.
Caitlyn Clark, who is currently pursuing a Master’s in History at Harvard University, has been studying history since she was 13-years-old. Since then, Clark has written several articles for historical magazines and regularly gives presentations across the U.S. about her book, From the Treaty City to the Western Sea: Lewis and Clark in Greenville, Ohio. Presently, she is the executive director of the Mercer County Historical Society in Celina, Ohio, and the administrative director of the Garst Museum in Greenville, Ohio. Clark is also a member of the Fort Greene Ville Chapter of the DAR.
