Thousands of Plains Indians died from smallpox. Native American contact with Whites turned out to be deadly, especially for the Plains tribes. One...
A Deadly Plague
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american indians
The Long Walk
The forced relocation of the Navajo. In 1861, the United States was in a virtual war with the Indians of New Mexico. Plans called for them to be...
Shaman or Medicine Men
I’ve been asked a number of times, “Where would Geronimo or Sitting Bull have learned their trade as a medicine man. How did they get this position?...
A Revolt in New Mexico
Indians rise up against U.S. occupiers. The Taos Revolt was an uprising by Hispano and Puebloan groups against the United States during the Mexican...
The Power of Pictures
The very best historical photographs from our treasured vaults define our idea of the West. In honor of our 70th year, the editors of True West have...
The Apache Kid Breaks Out
His whereabouts are unknown, even today. The Apache Kid and nine other prisoners (most Indian) are being transported from Globe, Arizona Territory,...
Where Was the Indian Territory?
In a word; eastern Oklahoma. Indian removals in the East began as early as 1817. In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, which authorized...
The Indian Civil War
For the Cherokee, the conflict pitted brother against brother. The Civil War not only split the United States, but it also tore apart various Indian...
Taking a Stand
Cherokee leader Watie signed an unpopular treaty. Stand Watie was a controversial Cherokee leader. He and several members of his family signed a...
Yucca Roots for Shampoo
What did Indians use for soap, if anything? Or, was it not part of their culture? Usually the natives used plants to provide soap. For example, many...
Arizona’s Yavapai-Apache War
A tour of the conflict’s historic sites is a poignant reminder of how unmerciful war was meted out against the state’s Native people. ...
A Ghostly Battle
An Apache shaman caused a major battle in Arizona. It was a shaman, leading the Ghost Dance, that led to the Battle of Cibecue Creek in Arizona....