FROM THE ARCHIVE
Sioux family claims explorer Lewis as an ancestor
Facebook Twitter Email
MONDAY, JULY 14, 2003

A family from the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation in South Dakota has documented their ties to famed explorer Meriwether Lewis.

Lewis passed through the area and fathered a son with a Sioux woman named Ikpsapewin, family members say. Using written documents and oral history, they have created a family tree of the union that produced Joseph Lewis DeSmet, born in 1805.

Lewis is listed as the father of DeSmet on DeSmet's adult baptismal certificate, which was issued in 1874.

Get the Story:
Legend in the family (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 7/14)

Relevant Links:
National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial - http://www.lewisandclark200.org

Related Stories:
Nez Perce historian writing Lewis and Clark book (06/24)
Tribes get chance to tell Lewis and Clark story (6/16)
Tribal histories shared on Lewis and Clark (05/30)
Men pinpoint location of Sacajawea's capture (05/19)
Tribes promote own history of Lewis and Clark (05/05)
Tribal protocol discussed at Lewis & Clark workshop (04/16)
Yellow Bird: An Indian guide to Lewis and Clark (04/07)
Native sculptor creates Lewis and Clark monument (03/17)
Ore. tribe to make Lewis and Clark pouches (02/10)
Documentary explores Sacajawea's famous journey (03/10)
Tribes look to future and past with Lewis and Clark (01/21)
You say Sacagawea, I say Sakakawea (10/29)
Yellow Bird: I say Sakakawea (08/20)
Tribes consider Sacagawea or Sakakawea (8/16)
Idaho center to honor Sacagawea (07/23)
Editorial: Sacagewea's lost heritage (05/22)
Hearing held on Sacagawea coin (05/20)
Sacagawea coins not so popular (04/04)
Sacagawea performance in demand (03/26)