Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Native woman and children. Photo taken by George Norton, circa 1900. Courtesy of the Eddy County Museum and Historical Society. The accompanying note states the woman is carrying "twins on her back." However, a closer look suggests she may also be carrying a third child in her coat.
Photograph of native camp set up north of New Rockford. Photo circa 1900.
A couple of weeks ago, Archival Anecdotes featured artifacts which were carried and transported by immigrants as they traveled from the old country.
Several more features of the same accord could be prepared, however doing so would neglect the diversity of materials which are housed at the Eddy County Museum. Many of which provide insight to the lives of the indigenous peoples who lived nearby.
The Spirit Lake Tribe was established by a treaty between the United States Government and the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Bands in 1867.
The Cut-Head band had already been placed on the reservation. The Sisseton and Wahpeton bands were soon relocated to the reservation as well.
Reservation life was a far cry from the livelihoods to which the people of these three bands were accustomed. They were expected to adopt the Euro-American way of life and cultivate the land. Government food subsidies were provided, however flour, sugar and lard only go so far.
Groups were spotted camping outside of town. Horses and carts made the return trip easier, after all it's hard enough to carry a month worth of supplies and two kids on your back.
The influence of native culture in New Rockford didn't stop there and is still evident at the Eddy County Museum.
Admin the hundreds of Euro-American artifacts at the museum, there are plenty that have a native back story. Some of the more obvious artifacts include a variety of ornate beaded jewelry and a traditional Sioux bassinet.
