Welcome to Black Hawk Productions

The Black Hawk War website first went into service in the year 2002, and has since been dedicated to the history of the First People of Utah. Black Hawk Productions, LLC is an independent video production company licensed in the State of Utah specializing in American Indian history. Its founder Phillip B Gottfredson established the company in 2007 and was formed for the single purpose of producing the documentary film of the The Black Hawk War: Utah's Forgotten Tragedy.

The"Black Hawk War Project", as it is referred to, is the companies only project at this time. The project is complex and has required the contracting of professional filmmakers, directors, and historians. Black Hawk Productions has funded the project through grants from major institutions and private individuals.

PHILLIP B GOTTFREDSON: Over the past ten years study of the Black Hawk War has been my passion as I have devoted all my time to understanding it's legacy. It is because my great-grandfather Peter Gottfredson was a friend of the late Ute Chief Black Hawk and I honor that friendship. I have read a score of books and a pile of research material on the subject of Utah history and European expansion across America. I have researched journals, diaries, countless documentaries, archives, and libraries. But more importantly, I have had the distinct honor to live with Native Indians many years learning their traditions and life-ways, participating in sacred ceremonies, attended lectures, storytelling, watched documentaries by Indian filmmakers, and have been taught oral histories from elders. With the Native people I have danced, sung songs, participated in drumming circles, shared many prayers, helped build a traditional sweat lodge, attended and participated in pow wows, attended healing ceremonies, been counseled, given blessings, made to endure countless challenges to demonstrate my honesty and sincerity. I have traveled thousands of miles, met with learned tribal leaders, spiritual leaders, medicine men, from different tribes from California, to Arizona, Utah, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and I spent one week at the grand opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC.

I have not been given the honor as a spokesman for the Indian people. And while I have many Indian friends whom I consult, I do not know everything, and I have a lot more I want to learn. But, I am an advocate for the Native people and stand beside them in their quest for a decent life. I have opinions and something to say and teach, and I am proud to share with you through this website the wisdom and fruits of my journey.

Forrest Cuch Director Of Utah Division of Indian Affairs asked me to make a documentary film about his people the Ute Indians. THE BLACK HAWK WAR PROJECT has been a labor of love. I am not being paid for my work, and enjoy a very humble existence. While the rewards have been priceless spiritually, and I have no desire or motivation to profit from the tragic past of others. Any project of this magnitude does require funding from many sources as a matter of necessity and cannot be accomplished on goodwill alone.

About this Website In the year 2002

I first launched this website. At the time I recall there being only a negligible number of websites that focused on the Black Hawk War in Utah, and then only in brief. Today there are any number of postings, websites, blogs, and articles on the subject scattered across the internet. Still out of the thousands of sites none portrays the war from the perspective of the Ute peoples, I am proud to say I have been consistent and diligent in my pursuit of the truth.

Today I am only beginning to see some shift to the Utes side of the story for which I congratulate those who are making the effort to do so.Over the years I have written and re-written this website many times. As my understanding and knowledge grew so I made changes to the content accordingly. Most all of the stories and articles I have included and written focus on the injustices the Indian peoples of Utah have had to endure. As Americans, and citizens of Utah, when we look back at our history we want to find the heroes and stories of our ancestors that are inspiring. But the story of the Black Hawk war in Utah is brutal and bloody—one of the most inhumane human injustices in American history. As a member of the human race I feel it is my responsibility, and our obligation as human beings to stand up for each others rights. Where is the outrage for the injustices that our fellow citizens endure each and every day?

I say to those of us who are educators, church members, or in government positions who say "not my problem, I'm just doing my job", that those who take the position of indifference they themselves have become advocates of bigotry. And remember that racism has to be taught. Our children learn to discriminate against others from their friends, churches, and schools. Is Indian history being taught in your school? Why not? Who in hell made the decision to leave Indian history out of school curricula and why? I hope you find my research valuable and interesting.

Thank you for dropping by.

Phillip B Gottfredson President Black Hawk War Productions, LLC

P.O. Box 63 Blachly, Oregon 97412

4/02/2002