PDF Summary:The White Indian Boy, by Elijah Nicholas Wilson

In The White Indian Boy, Elijah Nicholas Wilson recounts his unique life journey—from his Mormon pioneer upbringing to his adoption and assimilation into the Shoshone tribe. Wilson provides a rare firsthand account of Shoshone culture, traditions, and daily life through the lens of his personal experiences and bonds within the community.

Beyond mere observations, Wilson reflects on the mistreatment and displacement of Native Americans by white settlers. His defense of the Shoshones challenges prevalent stereotypes and laments the tragic loss of indigenous cultures. Wilson's memoir advocates for mutual respect and understanding between peoples during an era fraught with conflict.

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Wilson's Affection and Loyalty Towards His Shoshone "Mother"

Wilson expresses deep affection for his adoptive "mother," who became a central figure for him within the tribe. He highlights her nurturing care, her constant concern for his well-being, and her unwavering protection in the face of potential threats from other tribal members. Wilson portrays her as a source of comfort and stability during his time amongst the Shoshone people, and underscores his heartfelt gratitude for her kindness and love.

History, Hardships, and Concern for Wilson From the Woman He Saw as His Mom

Wilson shares his "mother’s" personal story, revealing her past hardships, including losing her husband and two sons, which allows readers to understand the reasons behind her deep attachment to Wilson.

He details her constant efforts to provide him with familiar comforts from his past life, like dairy and baked goods, highlighting her sensitivity to his needs and her desire to make him feel at home. Despite her own struggles, she prioritized Wilson’s well-being, shaping their relationship into one of mutual care and affection.

Context

• The loss of close family members can create a profound emotional void, leading individuals to form new attachments to fill that space, often resulting in deep, nurturing relationships.
• During the time period of the book, access to dairy and baked goods would have been a luxury on the frontier. Providing these items would demonstrate significant effort and resourcefulness, highlighting the woman's dedication.
• Her ability to provide for Wilson despite hardships likely required extensive knowledge of the land and resourcefulness, skills that were crucial for survival in the harsh conditions of the American West.

Wilson's Bond With Chief Washakie and Tribal Respect

Wilson portrays Chief Washakie as a wise and compassionate leader who advocated for peaceful coexistence with the newcomers. The author admired Washakie’s even-tempered approach to conflict resolution, which contrasted sharply with the more aggressive tactics of other chiefs like Pocatello.

Washakie's Leadership and Peace Efforts

Wilson recounts Washakie’s efforts to maintain peace and avoid unnecessary conflicts with the newcomers. He describes Washakie's strong disapproval of Pocatello's actions in raiding wagon convoys and taking settlers' lives, highlighting Washakie's belief that this would ultimately lead to the tribe's downfall.

The author emphasizes Washakie’s deep understanding of the shifting power dynamics between Indigenous communities and the encroaching white settlers, portraying him as a pragmatic leader who sought to protect his people by choosing diplomacy over aggression.

Other Perspectives

• Washakie's disapproval of Pocatello's actions could be seen as a difference in leadership styles rather than a definitive measure of what was right or wrong at the time.
• It could be argued that, in some cases, a show of force or resistance by Pocatello and others may have been necessary to protect tribal lands and resources, or to negotiate from a position of strength.
• The interpretation of Washakie's understanding as "deep" could be subjective, and other historians or contemporaries might have evidence suggesting that his understanding was flawed or incomplete in certain respects.
• Diplomacy over aggression could be seen as a sign of weakness by other tribes or by the settlers, potentially undermining Washakie's authority and the security of his people.

Wilson's Interactions With Shoshone Tribe Members

Wilson describes his interactions with other members of the Shoshone people, highlighting both positive and negative experiences. He details friendships formed with fellow hunters and the camaraderie shared during hunting expeditions, demonstrating his acceptance within their social circles.

Bonding With Trapper "Hog" and Conflicts With Children

The author recounts his working partnership with a man named "Hog," who taught him valuable skills in trapping, underscoring the trust and respect that existed between them. This bond also highlights the potential for harmonious cooperation between whites and Native Americans based on mutual respect.

Wilson mentions how his initial lack of knowledge regarding Shoshone culture, like his willingness to engage in traditionally female tasks and his reactions to tribal customs surrounding death, led to conflicts with other, particularly younger, tribe members. These conflicts illustrate the challenges Wilson faced navigating the social dynamics within the group and the time it took him to fully assimilate.

Context

• Trust was essential in such partnerships, as the wilderness posed numerous dangers, and partners relied on each other for safety and success.
• Mastering trapping would require patience, observation, and practice, indicating a deep level of mentorship and trust between the teacher and the learner.
• The relationship highlights how personal interactions could transcend broader societal conflicts. By focusing on shared goals and mutual benefits, individuals like Wilson and Hog could form bonds that defied the larger narrative of division.
• Communication issues due to language differences could have exacerbated misunderstandings, as Wilson might not have fully grasped the nuances of the Shoshone language or expressions.
• Engaging in tasks considered feminine could have been viewed as a challenge to traditional notions of masculinity within the tribe. This might have led to conflicts, especially with younger members who were more rigid in their views of gender roles.
• Certain practices might be considered sacred and require specific behaviors or abstentions, which an outsider might not be aware of, leading to inadvertent disrespect.
• Establishing trust within a new community often requires time and consistent effort, especially when initial actions are perceived as breaches of cultural norms.
• The daily life of the Shoshone, including their methods of hunting, gathering, and social organization, would have required Wilson to adapt his skills and habits to fit into the community effectively.

Wilson's Return to Family and Shoshone Interactions

This section explores Wilson's conflicted decision to leave the Shoshones to reunite with his family, the broken promise to his adoptive mother, and his subsequent attempts to reintegrate into society, along with his continued efforts to maintain ties with the Shoshone people.

Wilson's Conflicted Feelings About Departing From the Shoshones

Wilson grapples with complex emotions surrounding reuniting with his relatives. He struggles to reconcile his fondness for the Shoshone way of life with his desire to reconnect with his European-descended relatives, acknowledging the deep affection he held for his adoptive mother and tribe members.

Despite his longing for his Shoshone family, the author recognizes the growing tensions between Indigenous peoples and white settlers, fuelled by mistrust and violence. This awareness, coupled with his relatives' pleas for his return, fuels his decision, but with a heavy heart and a firm intention to return.

Unable to Fulfill Promise to Shoshone Mother to Return

Wilson's guilt for breaking his promise to his adoptive mom is palpable. He describes her anguish at his departure, her deteriorating health due to his absence, and her unrelenting search for him. He acknowledges his helplessness in being unable to fulfill his promise due to circumstances beyond his control, amplifying the emotional weight of the decision.

Context

• In many Native American cultures, including the Shoshone, promises hold deep spiritual and communal significance. Breaking a promise can be seen as a breach of trust and respect, which adds to Wilson's sense of guilt.
• The absence of a member, especially one who has been integrated into the community, can affect not just the immediate family but also the wider community, altering social roles and responsibilities.
• During the time period of the 19th century, communication and travel were limited, making searches for missing individuals more challenging and requiring significant effort and determination.
• The emotional weight of his decision is compounded by the strong familial ties and responsibilities he felt towards his adoptive Shoshone family, which would have been significant given the tribe's emphasis on kinship and community.
• The journey back to his adoptive mother might have been dangerous due to potential conflicts or hostilities in the region.

Wilson's Reintegration Into Society and Struggles to Adapt

Wilson reveals his difficulty readapting to life within a "civilized" society. The simplicity and freedom of Shoshone life contrasted sharply with the restrictive customs and expectations of the Mormon community, making it difficult for him to find his place.

He expresses his frustration with the injustices faced by Native Americans at the hands of white settlers, acknowledging the hypocrisy and mistreatment that fueled the growing conflicts. This disillusionment further complicated his efforts to regain a sense of belonging within his own community.

Struggling to Adjust and Earn After Frontier Life

Wilson relates his struggles to find stability upon his return. He recounts his attempts to re-establish himself through various jobs, from farming to driving stagecoaches, showcasing his adaptability and resilience in navigating the economic challenges of frontier life.

However, he continued to grapple with the emotional wounds inflicted by losing his Shoshone family and his unfulfilled promise to his adoptive mother. This lingering sorrow underscored his permanent connection to the tribe and his commitment to fostering understanding between Indigenous peoples and white settlers, becoming a driving force for much of his subsequent years.

Practical Tips

• Develop a "re-entry" ritual to ease transitions from one life phase to another. This could involve setting aside a day to reflect on what you've learned from the previous phase and how you can apply it moving forward. If you've just finished a demanding project at work, use this ritual to decompress and plan your next steps in a calm, controlled environment.
• Start a 'career exploration' club with friends or peers interested in expanding their professional horizons. Meet regularly to share experiences, exchange job shadowing opportunities, and discuss insights from trying out different roles. This peer support system can make the process of exploring new jobs more structured and less intimidating.
• Implement a "One Small Change" weekly initiative in your personal budget. Each week, identify one minor cost-saving change you can make without significantly impacting your lifestyle. This could be as simple as making coffee at home instead of buying it or walking instead of driving short distances. Over time, these small changes can lead to greater financial resilience.
• Engage in expressive writing to confront and heal from your emotional wounds. Set aside time each week to write about your feelings and experiences related to loss or family trauma. This practice can serve as a form of self-therapy, allowing you to articulate and work through complex emotions. For instance, you could write letters to lost family members that you never send, as a way to express unresolved feelings and foster a sense of closure.
• Write a letter of intent for each significant promise you make. This letter should detail why the promise is important to you, the steps you will take to fulfill it, and the timeline you expect to follow. This exercise not only reinforces your commitment but also serves as a tangible reminder of your obligation.
• Create a "skills exchange" program within your workplace or social group. Encourage members to list skills they can teach and skills they wish to learn, then pair individuals accordingly. This reciprocal arrangement strengthens bonds and creates interdependencies akin to those found in tight-knit communities.
• Start a virtual book club that focuses on literature by Indigenous authors, ensuring that the group includes a diverse range of participants. Use video conferencing tools to meet and discuss the books, aiming to gain insights into Indigenous experiences and worldviews. This not only supports Indigenous authors but also provides a platform for learning and discussion among people who might not otherwise engage with these perspectives.
• Identify a personal milestone and create a visual reminder for your space. Choose a significant goal you want to achieve and design a poster, wallpaper for your devices, or a small object you can place on your desk that symbolizes this commitment. Seeing this daily will reinforce your dedication and remind you of the long-term importance of your commitment.

Wilson's Ties and Interactions With the Shoshones

Wilson maintains a strong bond with the Shoshones, highlighting his deep commitment to the tribe despite his physical separation. He recounts his frequent visits, his ongoing role as an intermediary connecting the tribe and white settlers, and his personal efforts to safeguard the memory of his adoptive mother and other members of the community.

Translation and Relationship-Building Roles in Memory Preservation Efforts

Wilson actively worked to bridge the divide between the Shoshone and the encroaching white world. He served as an interpreter, a mediator in land disputes, and an advocate for the tribe’s fair treatment. This ongoing role underscores Wilson’s deep respect for the Shoshones, his recognition of the injustices they faced, and his desire to create a more harmonious relationship between both cultures.

Context

• Efforts to bridge cultural divides have lasting impacts on how history is remembered and recorded, influencing both contemporary and future relationships between cultures.
• Land disputes often arose from differing concepts of land ownership. Native American tribes typically viewed land as communal, while settlers saw it as property to be owned and divided, leading to conflicts.
• By acting as an advocate for fair treatment, Wilson demonstrated a commitment to justice and equality, recognizing the systemic challenges the Shoshones faced.
• The Shoshone, like many other tribes, experienced cultural erosion as settlers imposed their own ways of life, often disregarding indigenous traditions and social structures.
• Successful mediation efforts could lead to more sustainable peace and coexistence, influencing future interactions and policies regarding Native American and settler relations.

Wilson's Views on Native American and Settler Interactions

This concluding section explores Wilson's mature reflections on the complex and often tragic relationship between Indigenous peoples and white settlers. Based on his unique experiences, he sheds light on the systemic mistreatment and displacement of Native tribes, while fervently advocating for understanding and acknowledging the profound cultural loss.

Wilson's Observations of Native American Mistreatment and Displacement

Wilson reflects on the tragic displacement and mistreatment faced by Native Americans as white settlers expanded westward. He cites specific examples, such as the forced relocation of tribes to reservations with inadequate resources, the introduction of diseases that decimated Native populations, and the constant pressure to assimilate into a foreign culture.

The author doesn’t shy away from exposing the broken promises and brutal realities faced by Native Americans, emphasizing how their traditional ways of life were systematically undermined and destroyed, leading to immense suffering and cultural loss.

Examples of Broken Treaties, Violence, and Cultural Suppression

Wilson recounts the many instances where treaties with Indigenous tribes were disregarded by the U.S. government, leading to conflict and further displacement. He provides examples of deliberate acts of violence against Native Americans, including massacres and forced relocations, highlighting the brutality and injustice that characterized their interactions with settlers of European descent.

He also criticizes the systematic attempts to suppress Native American culture, particularly the forced assimilation of children into boarding schools, in which they were stripped of their language, traditions, and identity. These acts, Wilson argues, were designed to eradicate Native cultures and pave the way for unimpeded white expansion.

Practical Tips

• Educate yourself on current Indigenous issues by subscribing to newsletters from Indigenous organizations. By staying informed about ongoing challenges and initiatives, you can better understand the modern-day implications of historical treaties and support Indigenous causes. For example, find a local tribe or national organization that offers updates and subscribe to their mailing list to receive regular insights.
• Support Native American artists and businesses by purchasing their products or services. This action contributes to the economic empowerment of Native American communities, which can be a form of reparative support in light of historical injustices.
• You can learn and use a few phrases in a Native American language to foster cultural appreciation. Start by finding online resources or apps that offer basic lessons in the language of a tribe that interests you or whose land you live on. Use these phrases in your daily life to acknowledge and respect the culture that was suppressed in boarding schools.
• Volunteer with organizations that work towards the preservation of Native languages. Language is a key component of culture, and many Native languages are at risk of extinction. By offering your time, you can assist in various tasks that support language teaching and revitalization efforts, such as organizing fundraising events or helping with administrative duties.

Wilson's Defense and Empathy for Shoshone and Other Indigenous Peoples

Wilson's personal experiences fostered deep empathy for the Shoshone people. He challenges the prevalent stereotypes that painted Native Americans as savages, emphasizing their humanity, their rich cultural traditions, and their deep connection to the environment. He defends their actions, particularly those motivated by desperation for sustenance and resources, arguing that injustices they faced often drove them to violence.

Role Translating and Advocating, Fostering Mutual Understanding

Wilson dedicates much of his life to advocating for Native Americans, particularly the Shoshones. He served as an interpreter for government officials, helping to ensure that the tribe's voice was heard in negotiations and legal proceedings. He also served as a mediator, attempting to resolve conflicts peacefully and prevent further bloodshed.

Through these roles, Wilson strived to foster mutual understanding between Indigenous peoples and white settlers, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and respect, hoping to bridge the deep divide created by historical injustices.

Context

• Mediators aimed to prevent violence by facilitating dialogue and understanding, which was essential in a time when tensions frequently escalated into armed conflict.
• Interpreters were essential in ensuring that the nuances of tribal languages and cultural practices were accurately conveyed to government officials, which was vital for fair negotiations.
• Historical injustices, such as broken treaties and land seizures, created deep-seated resentment and mistrust that advocates had to navigate in their efforts to promote reconciliation.
• Advocates for Native American rights worked to influence public opinion and policy, striving to secure legal protections and recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and rights.

Wilson's Lament on Decline of Native American Populations and Culture

Wilson expresses deep sadness about the declining Native American populations and the gradual erosion of their cultural traditions. He views this loss as a tragedy, lamenting the disappearance of valuable knowledge systems, languages, and spiritual practices, which he witnessed firsthand during his time with the Shoshones.

Personal Connections Make the Loss Deeply Felt

For Wilson, this decline wasn't merely an abstract concept; it represented a deeply personal loss. The passing of his adoptive mother, the disappearance of her burial site, and the scattering of his Shoshone family throughout different reservations symbolized the broader fate of Indigenous peoples confronting westward expansion.

His reflections serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of cultural annihilation and the urgent need to protect and maintain the remaining vestiges of Native American cultures for future generations.

Practical Tips

• You can explore the impact of cultural loss by creating a personal journal that tracks cultural experiences. Start by visiting local cultural landmarks, attending community events, or trying traditional foods from various cultures. Document your feelings, thoughts, and any new understandings about the importance of these cultural elements. This practice can deepen your appreciation for cultural diversity and the human cost when it's lost.

Other Perspectives

• Cultural preservation efforts can sometimes inadvertently create a static view of cultures, ignoring their dynamic and evolving nature.