Customer Reviews

Sheheke: Mandan Indian Diplomat--The Story of White Coyote, Thomas Jefferson, and Lewis and Clark

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Sheheke: Mandan Indian Diplomat By Tracy Potter (Executive Directory, Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, with the responsibility of administering interpretation of the On-a-Slant Mandan Indian Village) is an impressively informative biography recognizing the role that the Mandan Chief Sheheke played in Lewis and Clark's trailblazing expedition. A meticulously researched accounting, memorializing the often-overlooked contribution of a unique Native American and offering a welcomed and much appreciated additional perspective to the growing body of literature and historical reference materials concerning Lewis and Clark's famous voyage, Sheheke is an exceptionally well written contribution to the growing body of Native American History reference and Native American Biographical resource publications.

Finally, the first biography of the best friend Lewis & Clark, and the American government, had among their Indian hosts, Chief Sheheke of the Mandan. "White Coyote" was mis-named "Big White" by Lewis & Clark, and is known better by that name. He is the chief who returned with Lewis and Clark to Washington to be greeted by Jefferson himself. It was the delayed and troubled return of Sheheke to the Mandan Villages that ultimately led to Meriwether Lewis's death. A fascinating new angle on the Lewis & Clark Expedition, with keen insights into the amazing Mandan Indian culture. You won't be disappointed.

Potter has done a commendable job in continuing the saga of the Corp of Discovery. Most accounts end rather abruptly with the Lewis and Clark return to St Louis with perhaps an anecdote to Lewis' later death. This is the book that completes the journey. Well done as he comments on Sheheke's interaction with the "new Country" and the turmoil of cultures. Some secondary historic comment remains unsupported but is not a big distraction to the storyline.

A great book if you are interested in Lewis and Clark era history. Fills in a lot of blanks.