Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dakota Midday: Lewis & Clark And The Missouri River Tribes

Over the course of their expedition, Lewis and Clark came into contact with nearly 50 Native American tribes. Some had never seen a white man before, while others spoke bits of English and wore hats and coats they received from Europeans.

Presentation College history professor Brad Tennant says that while the meetings between the Corps of Discovery expedition and the native populations were relatively peaceful and friendly, one of the most strained meetings occurred in present-day South Dakota when Lewis and Clark held council with the Teton Sioux, or Lakota.

Tennant is a long-time member of the Encounters on the Prairie South Dakota Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. He also presents programs about Lewis and Clark and state history as a part of the South Dakota Humanities Council’s Speakers Bureau. He joined Dakota Midday and discussed Lewis and Clark's experiences with the tribes along the Missouri River.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
Related Content