The Lewis and Clark Trail: A Research Adventure
Donation protected
Researching the Lewis and Clark Expedition
In 2018, after a road trip through the plains states, I became fascinated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. I didn't know much about it, just what I'd learned in history class. When I read the journals, the whole story opened up to me. It became real and human. More importantly, it became something different than a story about two white men accomplishing great things for their country. Their expedition highlighted the biases in American history. The more I read, the more I saw this strange mix of Manifest Destiny propaganda alongside a story far more complex than I’d ever understood. It drove me to research not just the expedition, but a dozen Native American nations to try to see the story through their eyes.
The Route I'm Taking
The further I went in my research, the more nuances I saw. As I dove into this story I began to see where my blind spots were. I was reminded that history always has a bias. It paints people as heroes and villains and deifies human beings. It's important to remember that whatever their impact on history, Lewis and Clark were fallible. They both directly and indirectly contributed to centuries of genocide and the erasure of indigenous cultures from the public lens. In the moment, they thought that they were acting honorably, but, they were only acting in the best interests of the United States and instead bulldozing dozens of Native American Nations. My story is about two men trying to do what’s right for their country and inadvertently leaving devastation in their wake.
Writing an Historical Fiction Novel on the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Since I started this project I’ve written 39 chapters. I am writing from the viewpoint of Lewis and Clark, George Drouillard (Shawnee), Francois Labiche (Omaha), Pierre Cruzatte (Omaha), Sacagawea (Shoshone) and York, (African American) in order to depict a more inclusive and diverse perspective. My narrative will highlight the unconscious bias of those involved. I want the example of Lewis and Clark to remind the reader that people are inherently flawed, but they can always strive to be better.
The Trip
On this trip I will bike over 4,350 miles. I want my experiences on this trip to be reflected on the page. I want to know what it is to struggle for miles for days on end, as I follow the Missouri River. I want to wake up stronger each morning. I want to see what the men in my story saw, and gasp at the beauty of the landscape and wildlife I encounter.
The Lewis and Clark Trail has over two hundred historical markers, interpretive centers and museums. In addition, I’ve compiled a list of over a hundred national and state parks and 24 Native American museums and cultural centers. On this trip I hope to visit many of these sites and learn all I can from as many voices as possible. I want my story to relay the truth.
In addition to researching my novel, I will post updates weekly on my blog, share pictures on my website and on Instagram, livestream q&as, film a web series on Youtube and compile a mini documentary at the end of my trip.
15 percent of proceeds will go to the Warrior Women Project, a non-profit that helps to raise the voices of indigenous women.
Donation Levels:
Prarie Dog Level
$10 and above
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
River Otter Level
$25 and above
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Marmot Level
$50 and above
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Beaver Level
$100 and above
-PDF e-book compilation of stories and photos from the trail
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Elk Level
$250 and above
-Early draft excerpts from my novel
-PDF e-book compilation of stories and photos from the trail
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Buffalo Level
$500 and above
-A hand knitted cowl
-Early draft excerpts from my novel
-PDF e-book compilation of stories and photos from the trail
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Grizzly Bear Level
$1000 and above
-A live slideshow and lecture upon my return in front of an audience of your choice (within driving distance of Boston)
-Early draft excerpts from my novel
-PDF e-book compilation of stories and photos from the trail
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Follow the blog HERE
Follow the trip on Instagram HERE
Subscribe to my Youtube HERE
In 2018, after a road trip through the plains states, I became fascinated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. I didn't know much about it, just what I'd learned in history class. When I read the journals, the whole story opened up to me. It became real and human. More importantly, it became something different than a story about two white men accomplishing great things for their country. Their expedition highlighted the biases in American history. The more I read, the more I saw this strange mix of Manifest Destiny propaganda alongside a story far more complex than I’d ever understood. It drove me to research not just the expedition, but a dozen Native American nations to try to see the story through their eyes.
The Route I'm Taking
The further I went in my research, the more nuances I saw. As I dove into this story I began to see where my blind spots were. I was reminded that history always has a bias. It paints people as heroes and villains and deifies human beings. It's important to remember that whatever their impact on history, Lewis and Clark were fallible. They both directly and indirectly contributed to centuries of genocide and the erasure of indigenous cultures from the public lens. In the moment, they thought that they were acting honorably, but, they were only acting in the best interests of the United States and instead bulldozing dozens of Native American Nations. My story is about two men trying to do what’s right for their country and inadvertently leaving devastation in their wake.
Writing an Historical Fiction Novel on the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Since I started this project I’ve written 39 chapters. I am writing from the viewpoint of Lewis and Clark, George Drouillard (Shawnee), Francois Labiche (Omaha), Pierre Cruzatte (Omaha), Sacagawea (Shoshone) and York, (African American) in order to depict a more inclusive and diverse perspective. My narrative will highlight the unconscious bias of those involved. I want the example of Lewis and Clark to remind the reader that people are inherently flawed, but they can always strive to be better.
The Trip
On this trip I will bike over 4,350 miles. I want my experiences on this trip to be reflected on the page. I want to know what it is to struggle for miles for days on end, as I follow the Missouri River. I want to wake up stronger each morning. I want to see what the men in my story saw, and gasp at the beauty of the landscape and wildlife I encounter.
The Lewis and Clark Trail has over two hundred historical markers, interpretive centers and museums. In addition, I’ve compiled a list of over a hundred national and state parks and 24 Native American museums and cultural centers. On this trip I hope to visit many of these sites and learn all I can from as many voices as possible. I want my story to relay the truth.
In addition to researching my novel, I will post updates weekly on my blog, share pictures on my website and on Instagram, livestream q&as, film a web series on Youtube and compile a mini documentary at the end of my trip.
15 percent of proceeds will go to the Warrior Women Project, a non-profit that helps to raise the voices of indigenous women.
Donation Levels:
Prarie Dog Level
$10 and above
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
River Otter Level
$25 and above
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Marmot Level
$50 and above
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Beaver Level
$100 and above
-PDF e-book compilation of stories and photos from the trail
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Elk Level
$250 and above
-Early draft excerpts from my novel
-PDF e-book compilation of stories and photos from the trail
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Buffalo Level
$500 and above
-A hand knitted cowl
-Early draft excerpts from my novel
-PDF e-book compilation of stories and photos from the trail
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Grizzly Bear Level
$1000 and above
-A live slideshow and lecture upon my return in front of an audience of your choice (within driving distance of Boston)
-Early draft excerpts from my novel
-PDF e-book compilation of stories and photos from the trail
-Monthly postcards while I'm on the road
-Exclusive access to a Lewis and Clark themed Spotify playlist I curated
-First in line for Livestream Q&A questions
-Your name appears on my website as a project supporter
Follow the blog HERE
Follow the trip on Instagram HERE
Subscribe to my Youtube HERE
Fundraising team (2)
Meghan Bridget
Organizer
Marblehead, MA
Kathy Sands Boehmer
Team member
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