Shoshone Summer Grounds~Big Summit Prairie (Photo by Suzy Fishn)
Suzy Fishn Photo’s of Oregon (and beyond, beautiful wildflower work)
Buster’s review of the Warm Springs’ Native American’s recollections reminded me of the series of books that I read a few years ago that I personally rate as one to the best historical perspectives of settlers and Indians in the NW..particularly in Central Oregon. Gale Ontko did an extraordinary job of researching the Shoshone nation and the other tribes and their relationships. If you know where Prineville, Mitchell, Canyon City, The Dalles are then get your maps out, buy the set of books and study away. You will be astounded and Paulina, Maupin, Big Summit Prairie and Battle Mountain will have new meanings. Seriously, if you love NW history get these books. Ontko did not attribute victim status to the Native Americans. He honored their dignity and their savageness and their wisdom. You come to understand the hierarchical structure of the tribes from the Shoshone, the Blackfoot to the dare I say lowly Paiute. Excellent and well researched. Follow the Shoshone from their greatness at Mt. Pisgah to their sad downfall, living in teepees near Prineville and broken. NW Native American history was more than the Nez Perce and Chief Joseph.
