Righting a Wrong

I read Ambrose's Undaunted Courage about Lewis & Clark's expedition to the Pacific Northwest and liked it. I do not recall, though, that it covered the fact that they apparently swiped a canoe from the Clatsop Indians when they left. This was most ungracious since it was the largesse of the Clatsops that kept them alive during the winter in Oregon before they headed home. That wrong has now been made right by the descendants of Lewis & Clark.

A handcrafted replica canoe that was built in Veneta, Oregon was recently presented to the Chinook Nation, a consortium of tribes including the Clatsops. The canoe was paid for by the explorer's heirs and some other donors. The presentation ceremony was held in Long Beach, WA and included tribal members and several of the explorer's descendants. Case closed. It's never too late to say you are sorry.

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44658752/ns/us_news/#.ToB-0E-SdJJ