News & Updates Archive

 

11/08/2025

by Phillip B Gottfredson

November was tough for us at Black Hawk Productions.com. Our computer crashed when Windows 10 support ended, so we had to work hard to recover years of data and get things running again. A generous donor gave us a new Mac, which we’re now using. It’s been a busy time, but we’re hopeful for better days ahead. We’re very thankful for the support, and keeping backups really saved us from bigger problems.

The good news is that visits to our site have almost doubled in the last month! We’re planning to upgrade our website, hopefully starting in 2026. We’re very thankful for our loyal followers and the many new ones. Your support keeps us moving forward. Since launching in 2003, we’ve come a long way together over the past 20 years.

We have several new projects underway. Two new scholars have joined our team, and we’re excited to work with them. Our documentary film, which began in July, is going well. Our producer, David White, says it will take at least another year to finish, but he’s preparing a preview soon. We’ve put in hundreds of hours on the film and other projects. We can’t share many details yet, but we’ll have more updates in the coming weeks. Thank you all for your support. We’re committed to building on what we’ve achieved and bringing the truth to light.

 

10/17/2025

PHILLIP B GOTTFREDSON

No, it's correct, there is no period after the middle initial B in my name. I remember getting into a discussion with a banker when I was about 12 years old when I opened my first savings account. He asked what the B stands for. I said it's just B. He said well then there should be quotations "B". No, I said, I don't want quotations. It's just B. Well, he said, that's wrong. I said, well, that's the way my mother said to write it.

The banker relented and my name has been Phillip B Gottfredson since. Now here's the puzzel. I have never figured out why My mother named me B. She never gave me an explanation for my middle name. She would just giggle when I pressed her for a reason. No one ever called me by my middle name, thank you. So, all my life people have put a period after the B, and I have had to remove it. Sorry... I'll go back to what I was doing now...

 

10/8/2025

An Old-school Wannabe?

by Phillip B Gottfredson

BlackHawkProductions.com has been sharing our research on the Utah Black Hawk War since 2003. Some people call us 'old school,' but I’m proud of our history and experience. Still, I agree it’s time for a fresh look, so we’re working on a new site. I don’t have a launch date yet, but the current site is still reliable, and we’ll keep posting meaningful content as we make the transition.

We’re currently developing a documentary film on the Utah Black Hawk War. While others are creating related content, we’re keeping our storyline confidential to protect our work until release. A preview will be available soon.

Recently, the Discovery Channel invited me for an interview, but I declined because the request didn’t align with my expertise in the Utah Black Hawk War.

One last point of interest. I recently posted on “My Story” on Facebook, which received the highest number of comments of any I have previously posted. I was surprised, quite frankly. I told the story that I am not Native American, nor do I pretend to be. I wasn’t aware how many people believed I was pretending to be, what the Native people call “wannabe.” I love the Native people. They taught me so much. They are family to me. So, for the record, I am not a “wannabe.” But I am not as white as I appear, either. For those who don’t know, I lived over 20 years with Indigenous Americans from Washington to Guatemala and the Mayan. I am still closely associated with several Tribes and will remain so until I cross over. Good heavens, people, please disregard the outdated design of my website and focus on the content. Wannabe, hey, I wanna be free… okay? Love you, crazies, it’s all good, right?

 

9/27/2025

THE FILMMAKER FROM HELL!

by Philip B Gottfredson

The summer of 2025 has been full of excitement for Black Hawk Productions, and there’s still more to come. Back in July, we shared that David White from Know The Soul in Utah would be joining us as our documentary filmmaker. I was confident in David from the start, and that trust has only grown. Honestly, calling him the 'filmmaker from hell' doesn’t even cover it. We’ve filmed countless hours together, and David keeps reminding me that finishing this project will take at least a year, even longer.

The Discovery Channel then reached out to me twice, asking if I could keep the first week of October open for a shoot with them. I can’t share more details yet, but the Beatles’ song 'They're Going to put me in the movies...' has been running through my head and keeping me up at night. Honestly, I just got back from living with my Native friends, and I’m still getting used to being home again after years on reservations and in the Arizona deserts. I have to admit, I miss living with the Timpanogos most of all.

That said, I remain devoted to the promises I made to my Native elders, to teach my people what they taught me and help build that bridge of peace and mutual understanding between us. As I have said before, this is not about me; it's about all of us who stand in the circle of life as equals. I humbly ask for your continued support. Follow, share, and contribute as we work together to make our world a little better. Thank you!

 

9/19/2025

Phillip B Gottfredson Invited To Speak To The Descendants of Brigham Young

Descendants of Mormon colonist Brigham Young invited Phillip Gottfredson to speak with them on Zoom a couple of days ago, to discuss the path to reconciliation with the Timpanogos Nation. Phillip agreed if two conditions were first met: "That we leave religion and politics out of our discussion," said Phillip. Phillip and his colleagues were pleasantly surprised when they agreed without any hesitation.

The meeting was scheduled for one hour, but it went an extra half-hour into overtime. Phillip said, "I didn't know what to expect to be perfectly candid, not only were they descendants of Brigham Young, but they are also active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Especially at the beginning of the meeting I introduced Jared Ferguson who's a direct descendant of the only known survivor of the Circleville Massacre in 1868. One the many casualities of Brigham Young's extermination order. But things well. The fact is everything went better than expected."

After Phillip shared how he became involved in the Black Hawk War Project and expressed his hope for healing between the LDS Church and the Timpanogos, and that the church rescinds Brigham’s “Extermination order from 1849,” a participant thanked him for his thoughtful words and described him as "the poster child of reconciliation." Others echoed this gratitude, appreciating Phillip's insights and support. Phillip concluded, "I am truly grateful for the opportunity to get aquainted with each of you, and for your candid comments. I sincerely believe this meeting could mark the beginning of reconciliation between the Timpanogos Nation and the LDS Church, which we all agree is long overdue."

You can watch the entire video of Phillip's meeting with the descendants of Brigham Young by clicking on this link: WATCH VIDEO

 

9/7/2025

When will extermination of the Timpanogos Nation end?

A few weeks ago, an LDS nonprofit group called the Gathering of Tribes invited Mary Murdock Meyer, Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation, to give the opening prayer for their Sunrise Ceremony, an event aimed at fostering community unity and spiritual reflection, on September 13th at 7:00 a.m. Mary is an Ambassador for the World Peace Organization and a nominee for an Honorary Doctorate degree. Location for the ceremony to be held at the Timpanogos Temple in American Fork, Utah.

However yesterday, Mary was informed by a member of the GatheringofTribes.org that she would not be allowed to pray as planned. Mary was told she is welcome to attend, but she cannot give the opening prayer.

Quoting from the organizations website the following, "Gathering of Tribes is on a mission to meet the needs of Indigenous Latter-day Saints. Working in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we encourage Indigenous Latter-day Saints to nurture their faith in Jesus Christ, unite families through family history and temple work, care for those in need, and celebrate their cultural identity as it relates to the gospel."

Clearly their mission, GatheringOfTribes.org states is for Indigenous people of the LDS faith. But the question is how does discriminating against one Native American in favor of another 'nurture their faith in Jesus Christ?' But they can name their temple 'Timpanogos Temple,' but they are not allowed to pray there?

This is what settler colonialism looks like. And this is what Mormonism looks like. For a 176 years the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have thumbed their nose at the Timpanogos Nation, stolen their land, caused irreversable damage to their culture, and slandered them saying they are savages and heathens. Where and when will extermination of the Timpanogos Nation end!

9/7/2025

by Phillip B Gottfredson

May I share some thoughts I leaned while living with Native Americans for over 20 years?

We all have our own paths to walk, and no one can walk your path for you. It doesn’t matter the path you choose to walk. For each path leads to the same conclusion. What matters is how you walk your path. We should walk our paths in a way that is good for all. Chief Sitting Bull said, “It is not necessary for Eagles to be Crows.” For we each have our own free agency to be all that Creator gave us to be. It was not necessary for Black Hawk to become a Mormon, or embrace white-man’s ways to have tremendous moral character deeply rooted in the virtues his ancestors taught. He followed the path in his heart.

When we look at the world around us and see all the hate, anger, mistrust, confusion; we see all the pollution in our streams, rivers, lakes and oceans; we see animals confused, struggling to survive; and we see our brothers and sisters, and children living in poverty dying from starvation and lack of medicine, and a loving home. And we ask “Where do we even begin?”

A German poet, Johann Wolfgang Goethe wrote, “A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart.” I believe Black Hawk understood that the path to healing begins within each of us. If you want to see love in the world, then be loving. If you want to find kindness in the world, then be a kind person. If you want there to be peace, then find peace within. Love, humility, honesty, kindness, courage, wisdom, and respect, these virtues we must have in our hearts before we will see them in the world.

Be who you truly are, and come from your heart in all that you do and say. You will find that the language of the heart is love, a universal language understood by all, even the animals who are our relatives, they too understand the language of the heart. We are too much in the habit of blaming others. It’s time we take a long look at what’s in our hearts, and be the person we want others to be.

I feel I owe so very much to the Native American people. Yet they never asked me for anything in return for all the countless hours, days, and years that they spent teaching me their ways. All they said was, “Speak the truth, be kind to others, share what we have taught you with others, and no matter where your path takes you, walk your talk.” - Copied from My Journey To Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace.

9/3/2025

The LDS Church Needs To Rescind The 1849 Extermination Order!

by Phillip B Gottfredson

In a recent conversation with Mary Murdock Meyer, Chief of the Timpanogos Nation, she emphasized that no reconciliation can occur between the Timpanogos Nation and the LDS Church until the 1849 Extermination Order signed by Brigham Young is rescinded and the resulting damage over 176 years is acknowledged and addressed.

Many Mormons say, "that's all in the past, we just need to forget about it." I strongly disagree. The primary issue is that, although some believe the Black Hawk War ended in 1873, its effects and unresolved consequences persist to this day.

After 30 years among First Nation peoples, especially the Timpanogos, I learned that the trauma from LDS colonization in Utah Territory was catastrophic. For the Timpanogos those scars remain and drive the urgency for reconciliation.

Why is it so difficult for a worldwide religious organization worth billions of dollars to rescind the extermination order and say, "we apologize for the suffering our forefathers caused"? As a returned missionary of the LDS faith, I'll tell you why. Your moral compass is attuned only to the suffering of one side, your compass is broken, and so is your humanity. And it is because of that hypocrisy that I left the church years ago.

9/2/2025

Black Hawk War Documentary Film crew shows up at Beans & Brews

What does Beans & Brews Coffee shop in Springville, Utah, have to do with the Utah Black Hawk War Documentary? It serves as the creative space where author Phillip B Gottfredson starts his day, writing and shaping his perspective each morning. Producer David White got permission from Ashley, the store's manager, to film Phillip's favorite hangout. "I love coming here in the early mornings to have a delicious cup of brew and write," said Phillip.

Recently, documentarian David White has been looking into Phillip's background to help others get to know the person behind the story. David wondered what would inspire someone in his 50s to leave a successful career, sell everything, and spend twenty years living with First Nations people to learn directly about Black Hawk's 1865 mission of peace. And accomplish all he has done without any income? Phillip's commitment and experiences give him credibility and show his genuine compassion as he seeks out the Native American perspective on the Utah Black Hawk War and the lasting harm caused by settler colonialism. His honesty earns their trust and respect by being authentic. Phillip said, "It's not about me. It's about a people whose lives were destroyed, written out of history, and forgotten all under the banner of God, gold and glory. The truth must be told, regardless of what happened." David and the project's consultants appreciate Phillip's compassion and honor the promise he made to Tribal elders, who asked him to share what they taught him with his own community, saying, “They will believe you because you are white.”

"I am so grateful to David White, and Professor John Perry Christiansen who share my passion for truth. I love working with David and John because not only their expertise, but their integrity." - Phillip B Gottfredson

8/24/2025

End Settler Colonialism In Utah!

by Phillip B Gottfredson

BlackHawkProductions.com has seen significant growth over the past year, with our followers now approaching 10,000. We sincerely appreciate your continued support.

As we grow, more people are reaching out to ask how they can help end settler colonialism in Utah, the root cause of the Utah Black Hawk War. Book sales for my book, My Journey To Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, are rising, and more followers want to get involved.

To address these questions, I have created a new page titled "End Settler Colonialism in Utah." This page explains how settler colonialism caused the Black Hawk War, how it continues to impact the Timpanogos Nation, and outlines steps we can take to help end it.

Some may wonder if the Black Hawk War is simply a distant event that we should move past. However, the Timpanogos Tribe in Utah continues to experience the lasting effects of settler colonialism, and these impacts still affect our broader community today.

Many believe colonialism is a thing of the past with no relevance today. However, settler colonialism led to systems such as slavery and racism, and many of our current political challenges have roots in this history.

Thanks again to our followers across the US, Canada, and around the world. We see you, you count and you are appreciated!

Phillip

8/18/2025

Artist Pettit Harding

Producer David White is with Carol Pettit Harding

Artist Carol Pettit Harding, who designed the cover of Phillip's book, Black Hawk's Mission Of Peace, gets the recognition she deserves when our camera crew shows up the artist's studio in Pleasant Grove. Utah.

There are no known photos of Timpanogos Chief Antonga Black Hawk. After getting permission from the Timpanogos Tribe in 2018, Phillip B Gottfredson commissioned artist Carol Lahoma Pettit Harding of Pleasant Grove to create a forensic reconstruction drawing of Black Hawk's face. It was based on the historical photo of Black Hawk's skull when Goddard robbed his grave. Harding then designed the cover of Gottfredson's book. According to a dream Gottfredson had, she superimposed the drawing over her painting of Mt. Timpanogos.

Taking Carol over two months of intense work to complete, these photos show the development stages from conception to completion. Working from the only historic photograph of Black Hawk's skull, Carol worked from many images of his past and present descendants to ensure accuracy. The final sketch was presented to the Timpanogos Council for approval before publishing it.

Forever grateful to you Carol Pettit Harding, your a true master of art!

8/12/2025

A Do cum entry Film In The Works!

A powerful documentary film is currently in production, Producer, Writer, David White, Know the Soul LLC, and Phillip B Gottfredson, author of the book "My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace," have begun work investing hundreds of hours visiting historic sites, and discussing the tragic historical events that occurred between Mormon settlers and the Timpanogos Nation between 1847 and 1873.

Others have made several attempts at making a film about the Utah Black Hawk War, but this one promises to be epic.

"I'm truly honored to work with David, he is a deeply passionate human being, with decades of experience," said Phillip, who has spent many years living with First Nations people while researching the history and life-ways of Native Americans across North and South America.

A veteran filmmaker with over 25 years experience, David has taken a keen interest in Phillip's decades of personal sacrifice researching the Black Hawk War in Utah, for the specific purpose of understanding Timpanogos Chief Black hawk, and his mission of peace, the irreversible damage caused by Mormon settlement, and the plight of the Timpanogos Nation. Through it all rode a man, Black Hawk, who until his last breath, pleaded for peace and an end to the bloodshed.

"It may take us a few years, said David, but we are fully committed to making this documentary. More importantly, David and I agree that collaborating with First Nations peoples is critical to this project." Noted Phillip, I recall the words of advice my late friend Loya Arrum gave me, "The truth must be told regardless of what happened."

We will provide updates as the project progresses.

7/26/2025

Truth in Education!

Throughout my two-decades-long research into the history of First Nations in Utah, I have repeatedly encountered disheartening false narratives that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and place blame on Native communities. The same old refrain echoes, "We have given the Indians every opportunity to succeed, yet they choose a life of dependency on government support, succumbing to addiction, poverty, and despair. It's their own fault." This assertion couldn't be further from the truth. For over a century and a half, Indigenous people of Utah, and nationally, are wards of the Government, not by choice but by force. It's our responsibility to challenge these harmful stereotypes and work towards a more accurate and respectful portrayal of Indigenous communities. Please visit our Truth In Education page. See the shocking stories about Utah's schools ignoring their history as Native Americans, who are indigenous to Utah.

Let me add that I have lived with First Nation peoples in many states and other countries, and it's my opinion that Utah is by far the worst when it comes to teaching true Indigenous history. Utahans are resigned to learn history from historical markers and headstones that are replete with racist comments referring to Indigenous people as heathens, savages, loathsome Indians, Lamanites, red skins, and murdering marauders. They believe the cause of the war was because, "The Indians stole our cattle." Really!? I'll never forget one day when a woman said to me, "This was never Indian land! The land belong to us! They stole it from us," she yelled at me, and stormed off.

The good news is, our years of tireless efforts are not being ignored. I see hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens coming together and vocalizing their support for justice for the Indigenous people of Utah. But, there is much more that needs to be done to build that bridge between our cultures.

7/24/2025

Celebrating Pioneer Day in Utah

July 24th is a day of celebration in Utah as people celebrate their ancestors who made epic journeys from foreign lands to what is now Utah. Coverts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, better known as the Mormons, believed they were led by God to the Promised land to restore God church to the earth. My ancestors were among the tens of thousands who came hear in 1856, taking 3 months from Denmark to New York City. You can visit Peter's Bio page to read the whole story.

Personally I am proud of my ancestors that they survived such an epic journey that took a lot of courage and a strong will to endure all they went through. However, I am not sure if they knew what the would see and experience, I'm not sure they would have done it.

I would love to see the LDS Church, and it's members also remember the tens of thousands of Indigenous lives in Utah who paid the ultimate price, genocide. Consultant, Professor Dr. Daniel McCool, University of Utah, said,"We took from them almost all their land—the reservations are just a tiny remnant of traditional tribal homelands. We tried to take from them their hunting rights, their fishing rights, the timber on their land. We tried to take from them their water rights. We tried to take from them their culture, their religion, their identity, and perhaps most importantly, we tried to take from them their freedom."

So, God led them to the promised land to establish Zion...I don't know what "God" they are talking to, but this is humanity at it's worst. -Phillip B Gottfredson

7/19/2025

Table Point Update #2

by Phillip B Gottfredson

Our team of experts, David White, and historian John Perry Christensen, and myself, we have continued in our research of the massacre at Table Point that occurred in 1850, when 50 Timpanogos men were disarmed, lined up, and murdered in front of their families. In this photo, we are looking at the general area where the tragedy took place. We are certain the actual site is within a quarter-mile radius of where this photo was taken.

One new document we recently found describes that the bodies are stacked up in a pile on the shore of the lake, their heads had been decapitated, and the bodies were left to rot. The account further describes the extreme cruelty of the perpetrators. They had no remorse whatsoever; it was nothing more than a sport to them. Just another day of wholesale slaughter of human beings, whose only crime was that they were "Indians."

I am so grateful for the expertise of our team. This is a difficult story to talk about. There are different versions of this story, and at this stage in our work, it is a challenge to decipher with accuracy which one is closest to the truth. In the end, the truth is somewhere in the middle, after all is said and done. We are determined to be as accurate as possible, at the same time approach this project with great respect and sensitivity for the Timpanogos keeping them apprised of any new developments, and mindful of those whose ancestors participated in this crime. We will provide more updates as we continue on our quest for truth. I welcome anyone who would like to share any information that would help us in our work. Click the 'ContactUs' button above. Or, click on Facebook above and message me. See: Fort Utah Massacre 1850

7/18/2025

Bug Fixed In The Menu!

Wow! We apologize for not finding the problem sooner, but the bug in our menu at the top of each page has been fixed! If you are still having a problem just refresh your page.

7/10/2025

Update On Table Point Massacre 1850 - Eureka! we nailed it!

On February 16th, at Table Point near the southeastern shore of Utah lake, Dr. James Blake of the Stansbury expedition, captured a band of some 50 Timpanogos at Table Point located on the south end of Timpanogos Lake, today known as Utah Lake. Lieutenant Gunnison of the Stansbury Expedition reported that the Mormons promised to be friendly to the Timpanogos men, but then Blake disarmed the men, lined up the men and executed them all in front of their families. He wanted the to ship the heads to Washington and sell them for as much as $100 each. Some attempted to flee across the frozen lake, but the Mormon militia ran after them on horseback and shot them. The men hacked off the heads of as many as fifty corpses. more...

Today, July 10, 2025, researchers Phillip B. Gottfredson and David White, a documentary filmmaker, met early this morning and traveled again to Table Point, located on the southern end of Utah Lake. They were searching for hard evidence that the legendary Timpanogos people once inhabited the shores of the lake in central Utah.

"It was quite serendipitous. David and I drove up a rugged dirt road to what we thought was a cave from a distance, but it turned out to be an outcropping of rocks. While we were on the mountainside, I suggested that we look over the boulders for any signs of Indigenous people. I told David it was too steep and rugged for me to climb, so he volunteered to go up to the boulders above.

As luck would have it, David yelled down to me, 'I found something!' He continued to explore the area, examining every rock, then returned to retrieve his camera. After photographing what he had discovered, he texted the photos to me while I waited below at the truck. When I opened the file, I couldn't believe my eyes! We found what we were looking for!"

If you have been following our posts, you may recall that we visited this site a couple of days ago and felt compelled to return. It's a vast area, and on our first visit, we didn't have anything. But today was a eureka moment!

I am not saying we are the only ones who may have found this one particular petroglyph; no doubt, people have visited this site of the massacre any number of times since 1850. However, for me, this was the first time in over 25 years researching the Utah Black Hawk War that I had ever heard of, or read about, pictograms in this area.

It was a good day!

7/7/2025

Update On the Table Point Massacre 1850

Researcher Phillip B Gottfredson and his awesome team visited the historical site at Table Point on the shore of Utah Lake yesterday. Hoping to find evidence to verify the horrific account of the execution of 50 Timpanogos men in 1850. They spent time yesterday just getting acquainted with the lay of the land. "We are going back to do a more thorough search very soon, said Phillip. What is disappointing to me, we didn't find any historical marker in remembrance of this horrific event. But we did find some clues that gave us starting point, we'll go back again very soon, and spend more time."

As we gather more information we will publish it here. We have three critical points to find that will strengthen the accuracy of historical accounts.

In the above photo, way out front is historian John Perry Christensen, and do cum entry filmmaker David White.

7/1/2025

Let's Clear up The Confusion!

Chief (Antonga) Black Hawk was a Timpanogos; he was never a member of the Ute tribe, a fact confirmed by his living descendants, who keep meticulous records. These include Tribal vital records, for example: Black Hawk's father was Chief Sanpitch, and Chiefs Old Elk, Wakara, Arapeen, Ammon, Sowiette, Grospeen, and Tabby were siblings, uncles of Black Hawk, born into the Timpanogos Nation. Additionally, Indian Agency records and reports from the Department of the Interior, some of which date back to the Dominguez-Escalante expedition in 1776, as well as the NAGPRA Repatriation Report, clarify this misconception.

Between 1848 and 1865, the Mormon population in Utah Territory grew to approximately 80,000. Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk sought assistance from numerous neighboring tribes, among them were the Utes in Colorado, to help him push back against Mormon encroachment on Indigenous lands. While he led them in this effort, this does not mean he was Ute. Black Hawk was born into the "Royal Bloodline" of The Timpanogos Nation Is Snake-Shoshone.

When Spanish explorers Dominguez and Escalante came through Utah Territory in search of the "bearded ones," their journals make no mention of the Utes in Utah Territory.

The reason this issue of Tribal identity persists in Utah is because for the past century the LDS Church has been the sole source of Indigenous history in the state and they have rewritten it to accommodate the church's religious agenda, and if that means omitting the truth, oh well, let's not forget the religious freedom act gives religions a lot of latitude. As it has been said, "If your moral compass is attuned only to the suffering of one side, then your compass is broken, and so is your humanity." Oh and BTW, Black Hawk's birth name was Nu'intz, Brigham Young, being supercilious, gave him the name Black Hawk. Remember the Mormons came from Illinois.... the Black Hawk War of 1838....get it?

6/22/2025

Where the in hell is Table Point?

The story goes, in 1850, Howard Stansbury had been sent out by the U.S. Government to Utah Territory to survey and map out the Great Salt Lake. Stansbury wrote in his journal the expedition was briefly interrupted by the battle at Fort Utah. He volunteered assisting Brigham Young's militia and sent his company to help out.

Wild Bill Hickman and his men returned from Rock Canyon to Fort Utah where Hickman showed off his trophy, the head of Old Elk. Bill Hickman then hung the head of Old Elk from the eves of his cabin at Fort Utah. A witness at Fort Utah told reporters, "...it was hung pendant by its long hair from the willows of the roof of one of the houses. I well remember how horrible was the sight." - Robert Carter, Fort Utah.

Dr. James Blake, geologist in the Stansbury Company, was greatly influenced by Hickman's trophy of Old Elk's head. Dr. Blake then ordered troops Abner Blackburn and James Orr to go out and behead each of the frozen corpses lying about in the snow following the two-day battle that resulted in the deaths of nearly hundred "Indian" people.

On February 16th, at Table Point near the southeastern shore of Utah lake, Blake led one of the smaller hunting parties captured a band of some 50 Timpanogos. Lieutenant Gunnison of the Stansbury Expedition reported that the Mormons promised to be friendly to the Timpanogos men, but then Blake disarmed the men, lined up the men and executed them all in front of their families. He wanted the to sell their heads for money. Some attempted to flee across the frozen lake, but the Mormon militia ran after them on horseback and shot them. The men hacked off the heads of as many as fifty corpses.

In total, one militia man and an estimated 102 Timpanogos were killed” at Fort Utah and Table Point. ~Source Wells’s Special Order No. 2, Utah State Archives, State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah Territorial Militia Correspondence, 1849-1863, ST-27, Microfilm reel 1, Document No. 5. Eugene E. Campbell. Establishing Zion, Utah Humanities.org~

“Here,” wrote one historian, “the violence shifted from warfare to killing.” After disarming a large band of Timpanogos at Table Point near the southern edge of Utah Lake, the militiamen shot them down in cold blood. But it was the brutal and senseless act that followed the slaughter that is as chilling. As for the Timpanogos massacred at Table Point, both Abner Blackburn and Anna Clark Hale substantiated the fact that the 'Indians’ bodies had been mutilated and their heads brought back to Fort Utah. “I can never forget,” Hale remembered, “the horrible and frightening scene when the boys brought into the Fort a number of Indian heads with their nasty bloody necks and their tongues sticking out of their mouths. It was awful.” See more about Fort Utah.

Table Point, where is it?

Professor John Perry Christensen, a historian of American history, and I will be taking a trip to the south end of Utah Lake on July 6, 2025 as we search for Table Point. So far, I have not been able to pinpoint its exact location. After examining early maps of the area, I only have a general idea of where it might be. Over the past year, I have been mentoring John on the history of the Utah Black Hawk War, during which I mentioned my interest in finding Table Point. Since then, he has insisted that we find it. Stay tuned, everyone! I will provide a full report of our journey to find Table Point.

P.S. Anyone reading this, if you know where Table Point is please e-mail me at: phillip@blackhawkproductions.com and put "Table Point" in the subject.

6/11/2025

Imagine our country taken over by a foreign country.

We are told we can’t wear the same clothes, speak our language, or eat the food we are accustomed to. We are no longer free to come and go as we please unless we are given written permission to do so. We are no longer entitled to the resources on our land unless given permission. And finally, we can only worship their god. What would you do?

This is what happened to the Shoshone Timpanogos people when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, under the leadership of Brigham Young, settled in Utah Territory in 1847.

The Doctrine of Discovery was created in 1493, a year after Columbus arrived on the shores of North America; Christian Monarchies decreed that anyone who did not believe in the God of the Bible was deemed "heathens," "infidels," and "savages."

Steven T. Newcomb, Indigenous Law Institute and author of "Pagans in the Promised Land" said it succinctly: "Indian nations have been denied their most basic rights ... simply because, at the time of Christendom's arrival in the Americas, they did not believe in the God of the Bible, and did not believe that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah... This is the land promised by the Eternal Father to the Faithful, since we are commanded by God in the Holy Scriptures to take it from them, being idolaters, by reason of their idolatry and sin, to put them all to the knife, leaving no living thing save maidens and children, their cities robbed and sacked, their walls and houses leveled to the earth. This is the basis for the denial of Indian rights in federal Indian law and remains as true today as it was in 1823."

"The ways of life, identities, well-being and very existence of Indigenous People are threatened by the continuing effects of settler-colonization and national policies, regulations and laws that attempt to force them to assimilate into the cultures of majoritarian societies. A fundamental historical basis and legal precedent for these policies and laws is the "Doctrine of Discovery", the idea that Christians enjoy a moral and legal right based solely on their religious identity to invade and seize indigenous lands and to dominate Indigenous Peoples." - World Council of Churches

"Papal authority is the basis for United States power over indigenous peoples but this fact is not generally understood, even by lawyers who work with federal Indian law. This is due in large part to the sophistry of John Marshall, one of the greatest figures in the pantheon of the U. S. Supreme Court in 1801. Marshall borrowed from Papal Bulls the essential legalisms needed for state power over indigenous peoples. Johnson v. McIntosh has never been overruled. "Christian discovery" remains the legal foundation for United States sovereignty over indigenous peoples' lands. But it is concealed, as most foundations are, because Johnson v. McIntosh acts as a laundromat for religious concepts. After Marshall's opinion, no lawyer or court would need to acknowledge that land title claims in United States law are based on a doctrine of Christian supremacy. From that time on, in law and history books, "European" would be substituted for "Christian," so that school child and lawyer alike could speak of the "age of discovery" as the age of "European expansion." See The Doctrine of Discovery for more information.

6/4/2025

"I didn't write this article, AI did... You re absolutely correct! I wrote most of it. I apologize."

As many of you know, I, Phillip B. Gottfredson, and Blackhawkproductions.com have been reporting on the Black Hawk War in Utah over the past two decades. Then, in 2019, I published my book, "My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace," which has consistently received 5-star reviews. Now comes AI and artificial intelligence, and so far, it is living up to its name. Artificial, by definition, means 'fake.' That's all we need in our world, more fake stuff, right?

Well, folks, so far, fake intelligence hasn't been kind to blackhawkproductions.co nor the Timpanogos Nation. We have worked diligently to present to the public a more accurate portrayal of the Black Hawk War in Utah from the perspective of the Indigenous people of the Utah Territory. There have been many issues to address to accomplish our goal; one in particular has been the issue of Tribal identity. You would think that historians and scholars, after nearly 178 years, would have figured out that the Timpanogos Nation and the Ute Nation are two distinctly different Indigenous cultures, differing in language, bloodlines, and cultural practices. The Timpanogos are Shoshone and were first reported by Spanish explorers Dominguez and Escalante in 1776, 249 years ago. In their journals, they never mention having met Utes. However, artificial intelligence suggests that the Timpanogos are Ute.

So, being the kind of person I am, I went toe-to-toe with AI and said, "I'm sorry, but you got it wrong. The Timpanogos are not Ute." Then AI responded, "You are absolutely right. The Timpanogos and Ute are two separate Tribes. I am sorry. I apologize," and it went on giving a history. I took it a step further, asking AI why it made a mistake about the Timpanogos and Ute being the same Tribe. Now, it really got interesting when AI replied, "There may be contradictory accounts, but the earliest account asserts that the Timpanogos is Shoshone.

The next day, I asked AI the same question, "Are the Timpanogos Ute?" AI replied, "YES". Again, I said, "You are wrong." and again, AI apologized.

Okay, I get it; it's a new technology, and there is a disclaimer that clearly states, "AI is not always accurate." Meanwhile, here at blackhawkproductions.com, we are scrambling to make our website AI-friendly.

One side note worth mentioning. We have hard evidence that Brigham Young ordered the Tiumpanogos to be "exterminated." AI says, Yes, Brigham said that, but he didn't mean genocide. Hmmm, his exact words were, "I say go and kill them all...let the women and children live if they behave themselves." I got help from Grammarly by using these AI prompts:

Prompts created by Grammarly
- "Improve it"

5/30/2025

"Thirty years of living among Native Americans, I have not found one savage."

During a recent visit to the Provo City Library Special Collections, I discovered a fantastic three-volume set of books written in the years 1832 and 1839 by George Catlin, titled "North American Indians."

In Volume 1, Catlin describes how he set out to sketch the Native American tribes in North America. What I found remarkable was, in his own words, "how misunderstood they are." Catlin refers to Indigenous people as "an anomaly among men." They were kind-hearted, respectful, and generous, he said. It struck me hard because his description mirrors my own experience exactly!

When I began my research in 1989, I attended the Grand Opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. There were thousands of Indigenous people from all over the world. During my stay, I had a great time. I met hundreds of Indigenous people; they were fun to be around. I watched them dance, listened to them tell stories, and even shed happy tears with some. In thirty years of living among Native Americans, I have not found one savage. - Phillip B Gottfredson

5/23/2025

AI (Artificial Intelligence) as the Name Implies

If our job hasn't been hard enough teaching intelligent people the Timpanogos Nation's perspective on the Black Hawk War in Utah over the past quarter of a century, and now comes artificial intelligence.

The challenge with AI so far is... where do I begin? Oh... Example: Two buddies are talking over a cup of coffee. and one says to the other, "They say the world is going to end soon." The other guy asks, "Who are THEY?" His buddy says, "you know, the experts!" Well, folks, that's where we're at with AI when asking a simple question like, "What was the Black Hawk War in Utah about?" I have asked AI that question a half dozen times, and I get six different answers. AI compiles its answers from all the available sources. There are many, and each has a distinct and often conflicting argument. And AI doesn't always credit its source. And AI's answers depend on HOW you ask your question.

Unfortunately, I can't blame everything on AI as much as I want. Here's the problem. In Utah, we have many different Universities and educational institutions, and none of them agree with each other on the events of the Black Hawk War in Utah. Some are saying the War was between 1865 and 1873, leaving out 26 years of horrific violence, starvation, and disease, a direct result of Mormon settler colonialism that began in 1847. Historians and writers can't even agree that the Timpanogos and Ute are two separate Tribes in origin, language, and bloodlines. Mainly because no one ever asked the Timpanogos! Maybe you think I'm joking. Hundreds of books have been written on the War, and no historian has ever requested the Timpanogos explain who they are. And it follows AI can't figure it out, either, because there is so much confusion among the experts.

I asked AI who the Timpanogos are. AI answered, "They are Ute." I corrected AI and said, "You got it wrong. They are not Ute." AI said, "You are absolutely correct. The Timpanogos are Snake Shoshone, not Ute."

Last year, I spent $800 at the local coffee shop while writing updates to our website to ensure its accuracy and ranking in the search results. Wait... I just got a text from Google. It says, "Get the Most Out of Gemini on Web." Okay, thanks, Google. "Hello, coffee shop, hey, make me a double espresso with a double shot of Everclear!" Huh? No, I'll sleep in the car tonight.

5/5/2025

Mayan Elders Honor Phillip B Gottfredson with a seat at the fire as a Mayan Shaman.

I explained that I learned to sing the song from my Shoshone brothers and was given permission from the elders to sing it to ask the eagle to carry our prayers to the Creator. With my rattle in one hand, I sang three rounds of the song, and on the fourth round, Jörge was pointing to the sky. I looked up, and two eagles were circling above us. The song ended, and everyone raised their hands, praying, laughing, and amazed. I was in tears. It happened just that way. And as I sat in my place at the fire, I couldn't stop crying, trying to understand it all. They said I am so filled with the spirit of love and they now call me Elder and Shaman. See Phillip B Gottfredson In The Heart of Mayan Country

4/30/2025

Radio Free Mormon Podcast with Phillip B Gottfredson and Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation Mary Murdock Meyer!

4/28/2025

UPDATE TO UPCOMING PODCAST! Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation Mary Murdock Meyer, and historian Phillip B Gottfredson will be interviewed on the RADIO FREE MORMON podcast this Wednesday at 6:20 PM MST. You don't want to miss this one! It could be Epic!

https://streamyard.com/ykbn9tykgz

04/07/2025

BlackHawkProductions.com Announcement

Phillip B Gottfredson and BlackHawkProductions.com has teamed up with Jacky Xoxo, a Social Media Specialist and Documentary Filmmaker, to collaborate on a series of videos on the Black Hawk War in Utah, and Phillip's extraordinary journey into the Native American culture. "I’m excited to work with Jacky," said Phillip. "Jacky is very passionate about their years of experience as a filmmaker, and deeply committed to our advocacy for Native American sovereignty, treaties, and aboriginal rights. Holding the government, organizations, and institutions accountable for withholding true Native American history from the public, which caused irreversible damage to the Timpanogos Nation, who are Indigenous to Utah, by sugarcoating settler colonialism, taking their land and resources, hunting rights, fishing rights, and religious freedom without a treaty or compensation.”

 

03/17/2025

RADIO FREE MORMON PODCAST

Phillip B Gottfredson and Mary Murdock Meyer will be guests on the Radio Free Mormon podcast live on April 30th at 6:20 pm. Everyone is invited to tune in at https://streamyard.com/ykbn9tykgz
We will keep you updated if there are any changes.

3/01/2025

Website Updates

Hi folks, This is just to inform you of a couple of updates to the website. We have combined the Utah Black Hawk War Timeline page with the Research Menu. What you will see at the top menu of each page is "Black Hawk War Timeline," or "Timeline." It was a long-overdue update, making it easier to navigate. There could be some bugs, so please be patient. We'll kill those pesky critters.

I was thinking about the Timeline Page over coffee this morning. The old version that I just replaced, I created in 1998 using a FrontPage wysiwyg editor. That page I recall took me several days to make back then, and functioned perfectly for 27 years! A testament to an old-school web designer. Yes, I'll admit I get sentimental about these things. There's no bling, and nothing flashy about my website. That's intentional. I believe the nature of the content requires reverence and respect, don't you?. I turn 80 this month. -Phillip

2/5/2025

The Sky is Falling...The Sky is Falling!

My journey to San Pedro was to research the historical, and spiritual connection between North and South American Native peoples. I visited San Pedro in 2012 when uninformed North Americans said the Maya had predicted the world would end. The Maya never made any such claim. It was, however, an auspicious time in Mayan history when they celebrated the advent of Job Ajaw, the start of a period when harmony, understanding, peace, and wisdom could reign, according to Carlos Barrios, a member of the Mayan Elders Council. Barrios describes in his book The Book of Destiny that "Somewhere along the way, Western society began to assume that human beings have the right to dominate plants, animals, even each other. The result of this materialist outlook is an economical, ecological, social, and moral crisis that has caused the downfall of other cultures."

In 2012, sacred ceremonies were a huge part of my experience in San Pedro, Guatemala. There were times when the air was beautifully scented with spices being burned in the ceremonial fires around Lake Atitlan. What I heard in these powerful ceremonies were prayers for world peace. What I learned from their teachings, a nearly identical belief of the North American indigenous peoples, was that the heart knows not the color of the skin. The Mayans welcome people from all walks of life in the spirit of equality and teach their children to honor Honesty, Love, Courage, Truth, Wisdom, Humility, and Respect. See Phillip B Gottfredson In The Heart of Mayan Country.

1/23/2025

Were Native American heathens and savages as we are led to believe?

On a visit to the public library's special collections, I found a three-volume set of books by George Catlin from 1832 to 1839. This book is an extremely interesting account of Native Tribes in North America. What Catlin found remarkable was how misunderstood they were. He referred to them as “an anomaly among men. They were kind-hearted, respectful, and generous.” Validating my own experience living with them for over 25 years. His description mirrored mine exactly.

"Native American culture is a perfect example of total spirituality without religion." Elders of the Shoshonee and other Tribes invited me to participate in numerous ceremonies. It was life-changing. My spiritual experiences humbled me, profoundly changed my understanding of what it means to be human and opened my eyes to our sacred connection with Mother Earth. Understanding Native American time-honored traditions is essential when establishing meaningful relations with them, especially for educators with Indigenous students.

Honesty, love, respect, courage, truth, wisdom, and humility are ancient traditional virtues and values that Black Hawk and Indigenous people have honored throughout their history.
Sadly, scholars ignore that the age-old message of Indigenous America is about 'connection, relationship, and unity.' All people are one. All are the direct living descendants of our Creator. Lakota Chief Joseph said, 'We have no qualms about color. It doesn't mean anything."

There can be no doubt that this was Chief Black Hawk's message when he made his last ride home to pass out of this world in peace. In severe pain, dying from a gunshot wound to his stomach. In the final hours of his life, Chief Black Hawk made an agonizing hundred-and-eight-mile journey by horseback from Cedar City in southern Utah to Payson. He advocated for peace and an end to the bloodshed. This heroic journey was Black Hawk's 'mission of peace.' Still, colonialists were too arrogant to see what it meant to be human. Chief Black Hawk died on September 26, 1870.

1/15/2025

We need to look beyond religion to find the answers

Our goal for 2025 is to focus more on the sacred practices of Indigenous people. We need to break through the stereotypical beliefs that Indigenous people in Utah and America were "heathens and savages."

Regrettably, scholars often overlook the age-old message of Indigenous America, a message of 'connection, relationship, and unity.' It's a message that reminds us that all people are one; all are the direct living descendants of our Creator. As Lakota Chief Joseph eloquently said, "We have no qualms about color. It doesn't mean anything." This message of unity and inclusivity is one that we all can and should embrace.

Historian Phillip B Gottfredson's research offers a unique perspective, delving into the profound, sacred connection of Indigenous people with each other and Mother Earth, a perspective often overlooked.

The Indigenous culture, as exemplified by Native Americans, embodies a timeless spirituality devoid of religious constraints. The virtues of honesty, love, respect, courage, truth, wisdom, and humility have been revered by Black Hawk and his people throughout their history, underscoring their enduring relevance.

1/6/2025

I often visit the burial site of Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk at Spring Lake in Utah. This was not the original burial site. If you look at the mountain behind me, from the top of my hat you see a v shape rock slide. That's very close to where is was buried. Spring Lake is where he was born c1838

It took an act of Congress, the help of National Forest Service archeologist Charmain Thompson, and the humanitarian efforts of a boy scout Shane Armstrong to find and rebury the remains of Chief Black Hawk at Spring Lake. In a private conversation with Shane, and his mother, Shane explained to Phillip, "I felt it in my heart I should find Black Hawk's remains," he said. Inspired at the age of 14, Shane, on his own, makes contact with Thompson. He explained the frustration of finding Chief Black Hawk's remains, "no one knew where they were," said Shane Armstrong. Gottfredson details in his book how after a month of searching they located the lost remains of the Chief in a basement storage room in a cardboard box on the campus of Brigham Young University. See Utah Chief Black Hawk's Grave Robbed For Amusement

 

01/04/2025

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERBODY!

List of "American Indian" battles in the war of extermination of the Native Americans:

BATTLE OF ORISKANY (1777) * WYOMING VALLEY MASSACRE (1778) * CHERRY VALLEY MASSACRE (1778) * SULLIVAN EXPEDITION (1779) * BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS (1782) * NORTHWEST INDIAN WAR (1785–1795) * NICKAJACK EXPEDITION (1794) * SABINE EXPEDITION (1806) * WAR OF 1812 (WESTERN THEATRE), WHICH INCLUDED: * TECUMSEH'S WAR (1811-1813) * PEORIA WAR (1813) * CREEK WAR (1813–1814) * SEMINOLE WARS (1812, 1817–1818, 1835–1842, 1855–1858) * ARIKARA WAR (1823) * FEVER RIVER WAR (1827) * LE FÈVRE INDIAN WAR (1827) * BLACK HAWK WAR (1832) * PAWNEE INDIAN TERRITORY CAMPAIGN (1834) * CREEK WAR OF 1836, AKA SECOND CREEK WAR OR CREEK ALABAMA UPRISING (1835-1837) * MISSOURI-IOWA BORDER WAR (1836) * SOUTHWESTERN FRONTIER (SABINE) DISTURBANCES (NO FIGHTING) (1836–1837) * CHEROKEE UPRISING (1836-1838) * OSAGE INDIAN WAR (1837) * CAYUSE WAR (1848–1855) * NAVAJO WARS (1849–1861) O LONG WALK OF THE NAVAJO (1863–1868) * SOUTHWEST INDIAN WARS (1849-1863) * PITT RIVER EXPEDITION (1850) * MARIPOSA WAR (1850–1851) * YUMA EXPEDITION (1851–1852) * UTAH INDIAN WARS (1851-1853) * WALKER WAR (1853) * GRATTAN MASSACRE (1855) * YAKIMA WAR (1855) * SNAKE RIVER WAR (1855) * KLICKITAT WAR (1855) * PUGET SOUND WAR (1855–1856) * ROGUE RIVER WARS (1855–1856) * KLAMATH AND SALMON INDIAN WARS (1855) * TINTIC WAR (1856) * GILA EXPEDITION (1857) * MENDOCINO WAR (1858) * SPOKANE-COEUR D'ALENE-PALOOS WAR (1858) * PECOS EXPEDITION (1859) * ANTELOPE HILLS EXPEDITION (1859) * BEAR RIVER EXPEDITION (1859) * PAIUTE WAR (1860) * KIOWA-COMANCHE WAR (1860) * CHEYENNE CAMPAIGN (1861–1864) * DAKOTA WAR OF 1862 (1862) * BEAR RIVER MASSACRE (1863)* COLORADO WAR (1863–1865) *CIRCLEVILLE MASSACRE (1866) * KIDDER MASSACRE (1867) * SNAKE WAR (1864–1868) * UTAH'S BLACK HAWK WAR (1849–1872) * RED CLOUD'S WAR (1866–1868) * COMANCHE WARS (1867–1875) * BATTLE OF WASHITA RIVER (1868) * MARIAS MASSACRE (1870) * MODOC WAR (1872–1873) * RED RIVER WAR (1874) * APACHE WARS (1873, 1885–1886) * EASTERN NEVADA EXPEDITION (1875) * BLACK HILLS WAR (1876–1877) * NEZ PERCE WAR (1877) * BANNOCK WAR (1878) * CHEYENNE WAR (1878–1879) * SHEEPEATER INDIAN WAR (1879) * WHITE RIVER WAR (1879) * UTE WAR (1879-1880) * GHOST DANCE WAR (1890–1891) * WOUNDED KNEE MASSACRE (1890) * BATTLE OF LEECH LAKE (1898) * NEW MEXICO NAVAJO WAR (1913) * COLORADO PAIUTE WAR (1915) * AIM TAKEOVERS (1969 - 75) * SENECA INDIAN NATION STANDOFF AND NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY BLOCKADE (1997)

11/19/2024

Utah Native American population stands at 79,000

AXIOS reports that according to the 2023 census Utah's Indigenous popuplation now stands at 79,000! That's about the same number when Brigham Young and the Mormons first arrived in 1847.

 

11/12/2024

REPATRIATION OF TIMPANOGOS CHIEF BLACK HAWK'S REMAINS

Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk was not a member of the Ute Tribe of the Uintah Ouray Reservation. Author and historian Phillip B Gottfredson obtained permission from the Department of the Interior NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection Repatriation Act) to publish the following official report on the examination of Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk's mortal remains before his reburial at Spring Lake, Utah. Chief Black Hawk was not Ute! It's another colonial lie that needs to be buried.

"The human remains and associated objects were accessions by the
Museum of Latter-Day Saints Church History in 1919. At that time, a
local physician attempted to confirm a report that the human remains
were those of the Timpanogots' Chief Black Hawk who had died in 1870
and had been buried in the same approximate location. The physician
collected statements from Chana E. Hales, William E. Croft, Louise N.
Pace, and Ben H. Bullock who had known Black Hawk. These individuals
identified many of the objects as Black Hawk's personal effects. "

See Repatriation Document of Timpanogos Chief Document

 

11/9/2024

End Settler-Colonialism!

What is Settler-Colonialism, and how do we stop it?

According to Cornell Law School, "The concept of settler colonialism can be defined as a system of oppression based on genocide and colonialism, that aims to displace a population of a nation (oftentimes indigenous people) and replace it with a new settler population. Settler colonialism finds its foundations on a system of power perpetuated by settlers that represses indigenous people’s rights and cultures by erasing it and replacing it by their own." See Cornell Law School definition of settler colonialism.

Oxford Bibliographies states, "Settler colonialism is an ongoing system of power that perpetuates the genocide and repression of indigenous peoples and cultures." See Oxford Bibliographies Settler Colonialism.

UCLU Utah, "Indigenous justice is the freedom and ability of Indigenous people to exercise their rights and sovereignty over themselves, their people, and their land." See UCLU Utah

I did a survey and was shocked at how many people I interviewed believed that settler colonialism ended with the Civil War. WOW! Well, folks, I am here to tell you it is still alive. Discrimination, racism, subjugation, and assimilation are still very much alive, not just in North America but around the world. One person asked, "How do we end it?"

I don't believe any one person has the answer. But, I strongly believe the answer lies beyond religion. I believe change begins within. Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Carlos Barrios, Mayan Elders Council, describes in his book The Book of Destiny that "Somewhere along the way, Western society began to assume that human beings have the right to dominate plants, animals, even each other. The result of this materialist outlook is an economical, ecological, social, and moral crisis that has caused the downfall of other cultures." See Phillip B Gottfredson In The Heart of Mayan Country

I wrote in my book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, "Native American culture is a perfect example of total spirituality without religion. Elders of the shoshonee and other Tribes, invited me to participate in numerous ceremonies. It was life-changing. The spiritual experiences I had humbled me, and profoundly changed my understanding of Native American culture, and opened my eyes to the sacred connection we have with Mother Earth," See Time To Look Beyond Religion For Answers

We can learn so much from First Nations people if we get out of our heads and listen with our hearts. We need to help each other. We are all interconnected and interdependent upon one another. We need each other to survive and live. We need each other as equals. We are all in a relationship with each other. And each becomes a relative by relationship. We must help each other learn the truth and heal from over a century of fake history. We must find a pathway to forgiveness and help build that bridge between our cultures with compassion, honesty, and mutual respect for humanity.

 

10/29/2024

Repeat after me... Ask The Timpanogos!

At BlackHawkProductions.com, we understand the critical importance of our online ranking. It's not just about being at the top but showing up consistently in related categories. Our high ranking and consistent presence in categories like "Utah Indian Wars" or "The Utah Black Hawk War," are a testament to our success and the importance of our online presence.

Over the past decade, we've faced numerous challenges in re-educating people about the Timpanogos who are Snake-Shoshone and not Ute. We asked the Timpanogos, and published a book, "My Journey To Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace." I remember a time when people didn't even know they existed, despite a 12,000-foot mountain in the central part of the state called Mt. Timpanogos. And I was one of them. This mountain, named by Spanish explorers Domingus and Escalante in honor of the Timpanogos Nation in 1776, stands as a testament to its significance. Seeing the number of businesses and institutions that bear the name Timpanogos is inspiring. However, they refer to the majestic mountain, not the Tribe displaced by Mormon colonialism.

It's truly baffling, isn't it? The solution is simple: ask the Timpanogos Nation about their unique history, and read the book! But does anyone, especially historians, engage with the Timpanogos? Do our schools teach the unique and true history of the Timpanogos? Not even the school that bears the name, No, believe it or not, no one has ever asked the Timpanogos who they are or their version of the Black Hawk War in Utah until recently. But if you read the opening paragraph on our Homepage, you will know why. This lack of engagement has fueled our mission since before 2002.

The good news is that we have over 9000 followers a month! Yes! We sincerely appreciate your support and interest in the Timpanogos Nation's history. Your support is what keeps us going and we cannot thank you enough for it. Thank you so very much!

 

10/15/2024

“Violence shifted from warfare to killing”

When you thought the story of the beheadings at Fort Utah in 1850 couldn't get any worse, we've uncovered new information that will make your stomach turn. This local perspective, known as the Massacre at Table Point, was missing from our story of Fort Utah until now. See Massacre at Table Point

10/11/2024

The Church can rewrite history to suit its religious beliefs

"LDS scholars, it's time to stop insulting and denigrating the Timpanogos people. It's unacceptable to use racist terms or publish fake stories and photographs. The Timpanogos people are human beings - Indigenous, Native Americans, and First Nation People. They are Shoshone and not Ute. As members of the human race, they have an inalienable right to fight settler colonialism, and we must support them in this fight."

When my late brother, David, and I began our research of the Utah Black Hawk War in 1989, we couldn't understand why no one was telling the Timpanogos version of the story. Two decades later, people are still arguing whether the Timpanogos are Ute. At least discussions are going on, but what is disturbing is that those arguments have been going on for over a hundred years. Even more troubling is that those who argue never ask the Timpanogos! There is no logic in that. Why would scholars not talk to the Timpanogos, who have thousands of pages of documentation proving who they are?

I have lived with many other Indigenous Tribes in North and South America and have not found the same problem. That's right, only in Utah have I seen so much confusion over who is who and who did what to whom. Why? I am going to give you a clue: Religious Atomony. Religious Autonomy is "the right of religious institutions to govern themselves without interference from the government. It is a principle protected by the Constitution's religious clauses which is based on the idea of separation of Church and state." In other words, the Church can rewrite history to suit its religious beliefs. That means they can lie unchallenged as long as they tell the story from their religious perspective, i.e., the Book of Mormon. From a moral and ethical standpoint, you say it's just not right, and I agree. But from a legal perspective, morals and ethics don't apply.

If you would like to discuss this matter, please visit our Facebook page (link above) and I will open a chat forum.

 

10/03/2024

Sunstone.org Utah Black Hawk War Podcast with Phillip B Gottfredson & Lindsay Hansen Park

You are invited to listen to the Sunstaone.org Podcast with Phillip B Gottfredson and Linsay Hansen Park discussing the Utah Black Hawk War from the Native American perspective. Click Here: https://sunstone.org/episode-133-the-black-hawk-war/

 

9/29/2024

The Native Nation Festival !!

The Timpanogos Cultural Festival had a great turnout! Gary Lee Price brought his magnificent bronze statue of Timpanogos Chief Wakara, titled "Anew Day," to the event, stealing the show. The 5th great-granddaughter of Wakara, Jamie, seen in the photo with Phillip B Gottfredson, was also present, along with Rustin Bonner, who drove from Oregon to support his Tribe. Artist Carol Pettit Harding, who designed the cover for Phillip B Gottfredson's book "Black Hawk's Mission of Peace," also attended with her daughter Fawn.

Unexpectedly, the University Mall made a surprising alteration to the program without informing Mary Murdock Meyer of the Timpanogos. The event, previously centered on the Timpanogos and known as the Timpanogos Cultural Festival, was rebranded as the Native Nations Festival this year. Despite this unexpected change, the event saw meaningful participation from the Morning Star Academy Preparatory School, the Allan Grover family, and the ASD Title 6, a federally funded Native American education program. Each was given a half hour to share their unique perspectives and stories.

Mary Murdock Meyer and Perry Murdock spoke on behalf of the Timpanogos, addressing how history has distorted the past and robbed them of their culture. Their authenticity and courage in reminding people of the colonization of Utah were evident, earning them the respect of all who were present.

The Timpanogos tribe significantly impacted the event, particularly with the presence of Gary Lee Price's statue of Chief Wakara and his descendants. Their authenticity and courage in reminding people of the colonization of Utah were evident, inspiring all who were present. Indeed, it was a new day for the Timpanogos; their authenticity was a standout feature, setting them apart at the event.

9/28 2024

 

Come see us at the Timpanogos Cultural estival at University Place in Orem, Utah 3 to 6pm TODAY!!

9/26/2024

Remembering Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk passed over on this day September 26, 1870. See Black Hawk's Burial.

 

9/19/2024

Refresh pages, Phillip has been making changes again!!

We have restructured our website to make it easier to navigate while browsing. The Research Menu at the top of each Story page is the best way to find general key sections. For specific subjects or to follow the Black Hawk War story sequentially please go to the Research Menu at the top of each page. New feature in navagation is, if you are just browsing click on the NEXT link at the bottom of each page to follow the Black Hawk War story chronologically.

We found a bunch of pages with awesome information we forgot we had and linked them up to the Research Menu! We corrected some mistakes and tightened things up. Slight changes can have a good or bad effect on our rankings. But the most important thing for us is our visitors. We want you always to have a good experience when you visit us. Hope you are having a great day!!

 

9/14/2024

The Timpanogos Nation Is Snake-Shoshone

I have a question for the Ute Tribe of the Uintah Ouray Reservation. You say the Timpanogos are Ute because you claim their Chiefs Sanpitch, Wakara, and Black Hawk are your Chiefs, and you have no documentation to prove that BTW, then why is the Ute Tribe not paying the Timpanogos royalties on the millions of gallons you export off the Uintah Valley Reservation each month? -Phillip B Gottfredson

9/13/2024

The Lie Said To The Truth

I love this so much I think I will memorize it! It's from the 18th century.

 

The Lie said to the Truth, "Lets take a bath together, the water is very nice."

The Truth, still suspicious, tested the water and found out it was nice, so they got naked and bathed.

But suddenly, the Lie leapt out of the water and fled, wearing the clothes of Truth. The truth, furious, raced out of the pond to get her clothes back. But the world, upon seeing the naked Truth, looked away with anger and contempt.

Poor Truth returned to the pond and disappeared forever hiding in shame.

Since then, the Lie runs around dressed as the truth, and society is very happy, because the world has no desire to know the naked Truth. (UNKNOWN)

 

9/7/2024

Special Order #1

The question asked is, if there was an Order #2 to exterminate the Timpanogos Tribe, what was Order #1?

 

Source: Battle at Fort Utah. (2024, August 1). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_at_Fort_Utah

Order No. 1 was a war-order from Apostle Daniel H. Wells to the Nauvo Legion allerting them to prepare to exterminate the Timpanogos Nation. Special Order #2. was the actual order to General George D Grant of the Nauvo Legion, to carry out the order at Fort Utah. See Fort Utah for more information.

8/20/2024

Special Order No. 2

“On January 31, 1850, Apostle Daniel H. Wells drafted orders for Captain George D. Grant to exterminate the Timpanogos, known as Special Order No. 2. The decision was the result of a meeting with Isaac Higbee, bishop of Fort Utah, together with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Higbee reported conflict between the pioneers and the Timpanogos, and it was unanimously decided the only way to keep Fort Utah would be to exterminate the Timpanogos.

“The initial detachment commenced battle on February 8, 1850 under Captain Grant. However, after hearing reports of poor attitude of the settlers in working with Grants’s troops, Brigham Young asked Wells to lead a detachment. On February 11th, Wells arrived and split the army into two. One contingent followed the trail of some Timpanogos who had fled up Rock Canyon. Wells led the other contingent south towards Spanish Fork river. He divided them into smaller parties and searched the southern valley for native peoples to kill. On February 14th, at Table Rock near the southeastern shore of Utah lake, one of the smaller hunting parties captured a band of Utes. Lieutenant Gunnison of the Stansbury Expedition reported that the Mormons promised to be friendly to the Timpanogos men, but then lined up the men to be executed in front of their families. Some attempted to flee across the frozen lake, but the Mormons ran after them on horseback and shot them. At least eleven Ute men were killed. In total, one militia man and an estimated 102 Timpanogos were killed.”~Wells’s Special Order No. 2, Utah State Archives, State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah Territorial Militia Correspondence, 1849-1863, ST-27, Microfilm reel 1, Document No. 5. Eugene E. Campbell. Establishing Zion~

Brigham Young is quoted saying, “I say go [and] kill them…Tell Dimick Huntington to go and kill them—also Barney Ward—let the women and children live if they behave themselves…We have no peace until the men [are] killed off—never treat the Indian as your equal.” ~BYC, Microfilm reel 80, box 47, folder 6. Farmer, Jared (2008). On Zion’s Mount: Mormons, Indians, and the American Landscape. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674027671~

“There is a curse on these aborigines of our country who roam the plains, and are so wild that you cannot tame them. They are of the house of Israel; they once had the Gospel delivered to them, they had oracles of truth; Jesus came and administered to them after his resurrection, and they received and delighted in the Gospel until the fourth generation, then they turned away and become so wicked that God cursed them with this dark and benighted and loathsome condition; and they want to sit on the ground in the dirt, and to live by hunting, and they cannot be civilized. And right upon this, I will say to our government if they could hear me, ‘You need never fight the Indians, but if you want to get rid of them try to civilize them.’ How many were here when we came? At the Warm Springs, at this little grove where they would pitch their tents, we found perhaps three hundred Indians; but I do not suppose that there are three of that bank left alive now. There was another band a little south, another north, another further east; but I do not suppose there is one in ten, perhaps not one in a hundred, now alive of those who were here when we came. Did we kill them? No, we fed them. They would say, ‘We want just as fine flour as you have.’  To Walker, the chief, whom all California and New Mexico dreaded, I said, ‘It will just as sure kill as the world, if you live as we live.’ Said he, ‘I want as good as Brigham, I want to eat as he does.’ Said I, ‘Eat then, but it will kill you.’ I told the same to Arapeen, Walker’s brother; but they must eat and drink as the whites did, and I do not suppose that one in a hundred of those bands are alive. We brought their children into our families, and nursed and did everything for them it was possible to do for human beings, but die they would. Do not fight them, but treat them kindly. There will then be no stain on the Government, and it will get rid of them much quicker than by fighting them. They have got to be civilized, and there will be a remnant of them saved.” ~Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 14:86-87 (9 April 1871)~ See Fort Utah Massacre

8/19/2024

THERE IS NO UINTAH OURAY RESERVATION

Caleb B. Smith, Secretary of the Department of Interior, recommended to President Lincoln that the Uintah Valley, in the Territory of Utah, be set apart and reserved for the use and occupancy of Indian Tribes of Utah. "I respectfully recommend that you order the entire valley of the Uintah River within Utah Territory, extending on both sides of said river to the first range of contiguous mountains on each side, to be reserved to the United States and set apart as an Indian reservation," he said. President Abraham Lincoln responded, "Executive Office Oct. 3, 1861," with the President's words, "Let the reservation be established, as recommended by the Secretary of the Interior." The Uintah Valley Reservation was then enacted into law on May 5, 1864, by the Act of Congress.

The Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray agency wasn't federally recognized until 1937, under the constitutional name "Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation." Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation is the Ute Nation's constitutional name, BUT THERE IS NO UINTAH OURAY RESERVATION. There has never been any congressional action that created a reservation called the "Uintah & Ouray Reservation." The Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation lives on the Uintah Valley Reservation and are also referred to as the Northern Ute. See The Timpanogos Nation Is Not Ute

 

8/18/2024

I have updated the Timpanogos Nation Is Not Ute page for clarity. I rewrote much of it, making the page shorter to read. This has been consistently one of our more popular pages explaining that the Timpanogos Nation is not Ute, even though most of Mormon history says differently. It has been quite remarkable that over time, not only have the Timpanogos been written out of history, but a Tribe who killed a government Indian Agent was sent to Utah as a "prisoners of war" became the ruling tribe. As they say, follow the money.

 

8/17/2024 UPDATE

Recently, I came upon an article that was published in 1860 by the LDS Church-owned newspaper THE DESERET News:

"DEATH OF ARAPEEN

MANTI, SANPETE COUNTY

December 9, 1860

ED. Deseret NEWS:

The Utah chief Arapeen died on Tuesday last the 4th instant about sixty miles south of this place; he was on his return from the Navajo country where he had been on a trafficking expedition together with many of his tribe or band. He died with good feelings towards the whites in this part of the territory for their hospitality to him and his people, and requested that no person should be killed on account of his death.

I had a visit this morning from his brother Sanpitch and ten others of the tribe. He is at present, the leader of the band and wishes, as well as his men, to be at peace with all. They mourn the loss of Arapeen, Sanpitch, his brother's horses, and five of his cattle were killed after he died. He wants the superintendent to come up this way with some of his presents if he has not given them all to Little Solder, the pe-up captain. He wishes to have Arapeen's death published in the papers.

Yours & C.&.,

George Snow."

This article is significant for two reasons. First, it helps establish that Sanpitch was a brother of Arapeen. Second, Sanpitch was the father of Black Hawk and became the principal Chief of the Timpanogos Nation when Arapeen died from the smallpox epidemic in 1860. Sanpitch was Murdered in 1866 when his brother Tabby became the Nation's principal Chief. Also we should keep in mind this is one of those one-sided versions, and I don't believe that Arapeen was as warm toward the Mormons as the reporter states here. Keeping in mind all the horrific events of the previous 23 years, resulting in the loss oif countless lives and their homeland. - Phillip B Gottfredson

P.S. I have corrected the date of Arapeen's death on the Timpanogos Nation Biography & The Utah Black Hawk War page.

8/15/2024

Springville City Library accepted Phillip B Gottfredson's book My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace and is now available to the public. THANK YOU SPRINGVILLE CITY LIBRARY!!

8/10/2024

Federal recognition does not determine the authenticity or existence of a tribe

Note: The Timpanogos Nation may not have received federal recognition yet, but they are Indigenous to the state of Utah. Since time immemorial, they have been Indigenous to the Great Basin and North America. The Department of The Interior clearly states that federal recognition does not determine the authenticity or existence of a tribe, it confirms the existence of a nation-to-nation relationship between an Indian tribe and the United States government. In the case TIMPANOGOS vs CONWAY in 2002 the Federal Court stated "A Tribe recognition or lack of recognition by the secretary of the Interior does not determin weather the Tribe has vested Treaty Rights." Green 64 F. 3 d at 1270. Federal Common Law gives Indigenous people their vested Treaty Rights. Federal recognition is optional, many Native American Tribes who have deep historical and cultural roots are independent of federal recognition. Federal recognition is important to Indian tribes for several reasons. First, when they are extended federal recognition, they can establish tribal governments that possess a measure of sovereignty.

-Phillip B Gottfredson

8/9/2024

IT'S TIME TO REVISIT THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY

The Doctrine of Discovery was created in 1493, a year after Columbus arrived on the shores of North America; Christian Monarchies decreed that anyone who did not believe in the God of the Bible were deemed "heathens," "infidels," and "savages."

Steven T. Newcomb, Indigenous Law Institute and author of "Pagans in the Promised Land" said it succinctly: "Indian nations have been denied their most basic rights ... simply because, at the time of Christendom's arrival in the Americas, they did not believe in the God of the Bible, and did not believe that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah... This is the land promised by the Eternal Father to the Faithful, since we are commanded by God in the Holy Scriptures to take it from them, being idolaters, by reason of their idolatry and sin, to put them all to the knife, leaving no living thing save maidens and children, their cities robbed and sacked, their walls and houses leveled to the earth. This is the basis for the denial of Indian rights in federal Indian law and remains as true today as it was in 1823."

Just before the massacre at Fort Utah, Mormon apostle George A. Smith, a cousin to Church founder Joseph Smith declared heathens "have no right to their land." And while the LDS Church had no legal basis to remove indigenous peoples from their aboriginal land and violated the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1848. Smith ordered the all-Mormon legislature to "extinguish all titles" and get them out of the way and onto reservations because they were "heathens" and "savages." So the stage was set for the extermination of the Timpanogos Nation that would follow. George A. Smith was 33 when he initiated the genocide of the Timpanogos Nation.

WOW!! Folk's could I make it any clearer what the Mormon's did to the Timpanogos Nation was based entirely upon frivolous religious fanaticism having no legal basis what-so-ever to do what they did?

Note: Pope Francis has renounced the 500 year old Doctrine of Discovery as of March 2024.

 

8/8/2024

Historians Break with Tradition and Reach Out to The Timpanogos!

The good news is a few historians in Utah have reached out to the Timpanogos and offered to help them get Federal Recognition! WOW!! According the Timpanogos Council, I have been told that several historians have written letters to the Department of The Interior in favor of the Timpanogos Tribe getting recognition.

I will keep our readers informed as information is made available. - Phillip B Gottfredson

 

8/2/2024

It's been very busy at Blackhawkproductions.com, and we have some exciting news to share. Our new books have arrived, and we are thrilled about it! The success of our fundraiser has left us feeling incredibly grateful. This morning, we were touched by Mr. Gottfredson's generosity as he donated two copies of My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace to his hometown library in Springville, Utah. This act of kindness is a testament to the impact of our work.

As we look ahead, we have some exciting plans for August. Sunstone Mormon Histories has extended a formal invitation to Mr. Gottfredson to be a guest speaker on their podcast. We are eagerly anticipating this event and will share the details of the time and date soon. Stay tuned for more updates!

More good news! Traffic to our website has tripled over what it was last year, a clear indication of our growing influence and the increasing interest in our work!! We have worked hard to freshen things up and tweak things to run smoothly. Now in our 21st year online! How time flies when you're having fun!

We especially want to thank all our visitors for their support. Just a reminder: You are always welcome to send us your comments. Thank you! Please share, tell your friends, and if you don't have any, tell your enemies!

 

Fundraiser update 7/17/2024

We have 100 copies of My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace on the way from the publisher! Thanks to our donors, our fundraiser was a great success!

I NEED YOUR HELP to say BIg HUgs!! Thank you!!

Udate: 7/13/2024 By request, people asked if I would extend thefundraiser another week! So I have, and the additional funds will go toward purchasing more books. Thank you!!

Update: 7/11/2024 I have recieved $1670 in donations! THANK YOU!

Upadte: as of 7/7/2024 I have recieved $620 in donations!

I have two book signing event's comming up in July and I need help so I can purchase 100 copies of my book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace. I have setup a GoFundMe account to raise $1500. 100% of the funds will go toward purchasing books. Thank you for your support!

-Phillip B Gottfredson

 

06/24/2024

How many LDS Church historians have spoken to the Timpanogos Nation in the past 100 years?

(crickets)

06/05/2024

Where do you get your source material?

We frequently get asked where we get our stories. Answer: First Nations, State Archives, Church Archives, University of Utah Special Collections, Brigham Young University Special Collections, to name a few. For more sources see Phillip B Gottfredson Biography and Source Material

 

06/01/2024

A RESPONSE TO WARD RADIO - PART 1 by Kyle Bishop is available for viewing on our Facebook page Utah's Black Hawk War.

Ward Radio attacked all who have said that Brigham Young signed an extermination order known as Order #2, saying it isn't true. Ward Radio LDS, Radio, and Podcast Community also claims that people are just attacking the church.

In Kyle's hour-long video, he methodically addresses Ward Radio's claim with carefully researched documentation while pointing out that Ward Radio offered its audience zero documentation.

It's particularly valuable for those who maintain a healthy skepticism to invest the time to watch.

 

6/01/2024

Federal Recognition

It's important to note that federal recognition does not determine the authenticity or existence of a tribe; it only confirms the existence of a nation-to-nation relationship between an Indian tribe and the United States. Because it is optional, many Native American Tribes with deep historical and cultural roots are independent of federal recognition. The Timpanogos Nation currently consists of about 1000 descendants of the 'Royal Bloodline' living on the Uintah Valley Reservation in Utah, and they have filed for recognition.

The Utah State Division of Indian Affairs disagrees. For example, Google "Native American Tribes in Utah." You will see six Tribes listed, but not The Timpanogos Tribe. Why? According to the Utah State Division of Indian Affairs, "We only acknowledge Tribes that are Federally Recognized."

Well, that's their choice. However, they are Indigenous to Utah and have filed with the Department of the Interior some 13000 pages of documents, genealogy, bloodlines, birth records, Indian Agency records, etc., proving they are American Indians, Indigenous, Native American, and shoshonee. Still, are they listed among the Native Tribes of Utah?

Why don't the English, Danish, Germans, and all other nationalities living in the United States have to be federally recognized?

5/17/2024

OOPS!!

If you have tried to purchase our book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace from our website here and you got an error message, it has been fixed. We are very sorry for any convienance. Thank you for your understanding.

5/11/2024

A misleading myth that glosses over the brutal reality of settler colonialism

The notion that Brigham Young building relations with the Timpanogos by feeding and not fighting them helped develop and improve relations is a misleading myth that glosses over the brutal reality of settler colonialism in Utah. The truth is that the Mormon settlement of the Great Basin was based on the violent seizure of an entire territory of the Timpanogos Nation and its resources, which resulted in the decimation of their population and their forced relocation and confinement to reservations.

Quoting the Boston Review 2021- The United States is Not "A Nation of Imagrants"

by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

"This idea of the gift-giving Indian helping to establish and enrich the development of the United States is a screen that obscures the fact that the very existence of the country is a result of the looting of an entire continent and its resources, reducing the Indigenous population, and forcibly relocating and incarcerating them in reservations. The fundamental unresolved issues of Indigenous lands, treaties, and sovereignty could not but scuttle the premises of multiculturalism for Native Americans. Multiculturalism persisted into the neoliberal twenty-first century, culminating in widespread “diversity” training, the coining of a new term, “people of color,” and the production of Hamilton, which not only erased the Indigenous peoples and African slavery but also turned the white founding fathers, who authored a Constitution that recognized only white people as citizens, into brown and Black men."

4/21/2024

CONGRATULATIONS MARY MURDOCK MEYER!!!

Mary Murdock Meyer, Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation, has just been made "Global Women Peace Ambassador" for the Women's Federation For World Peace USA.

From my heart to yours Mary you are the best!!

Phillip B Gottfredson

 

04/2/2024

There Are No Known Photos of Timpanogos Chief Antonga Black Hawk

In 2019, Phillip B Gottfredson completed the writing of Black Hawk's Mission of Peace when he asked his long-time friend Carol Pettit Harding if she could recreate the face of Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk from an old historic photo of his skull. 

William E. Croff, shown holding Black Hawk's skull, is credited with having dug up Black Hawk's remains back in 1919 at Spring Lake above Payson, Utah. Carol, in her 80s, examined the photo closely, and after some enhancement of the old photo, Carol was confident she could recreate the face of Black Hawk from the photo.

The Timpanogos Tribe granted permission for Carol to do the work, and Phillip provided other photos of Tribal members, past and present, to help Carol in the process. Mr. Gottfredson also provided Carol with historical documents that described in detail what Black Hawk looked like and what he wore. After nearly two months of tedious work, Carol and Phillip made a special trip to the Uintah Valley Reservation to meet with Mary Murdock Meyer, Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation. As Mary and members of the Tribe looked at Carol's work, they said, "He looks like uncle Frank." Satisfied with Carol's work, permission was granted to Phillip to publish Black Hawk's image in his book. See Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk's Grave

 

03/21/2024

 

Celebrating Life, Art, and The Human Spirit

by Phillip B Gottfredson

It's always a rich and uplifting experience to visit Gray Lee Prices Alchemy Arts Foundry in Springville, Utah. Today was no less exciting. Gary and Leesa Price shared not only their most recent projects but also their vision for humanity.

Gary Price's Statue of Responsibility, temporarily located outside the famous La Cacita Mexican Restaurant in Springville City, Utah, is nothing less than profound. The message of the two hands clasping each other is that we each have a responsibility to lift each other up as we progress in life. Sometimes, we do the lifting; other times, we are the ones being lifted up. Gary is an exemplary model for that message.

Gary walks his talk. The examples are endless. But his work with the Timpanogos Nation is stellar. Gary is not only an artist; he is also an author. His book Devine Turbulence is the #1 best International Seller. As a sculptor is recognized nationally. Yet his compassion for all life, humility, and respect for others is genuine. The Timpanogs who have suffered unimaginable emotionally and physically because of Utah's Black War days, Gary has lifted them up. He understands their pain because of his personal experiences, which he describes in his book.

Today was Mary Murdock Meyer's birthday. Gary and Leesa treated Mary, members of the Timpanogos Council, friends, and supporters, a total of 15, to dinner at La Casita. It was delicious, and good conversations and good friends. It doesn't get better than this. From my heart to yours, BIG HUGS, Gary and Lessa, for being who you are!!

02/29/2024

DID YOU KNOW?

There are appromently 3000 oil wells on the Uintah Valley Reservation in Utah. According to the Depatment of Energy Records, in 2022, Utah exported over 5.324 million barrels of oil per month via pipeline.

The Ute Tribe recieves about 10% of oil revenues, and the rest goes to the oil companies and the State of Utah. The Timpanogos Nation who also lives on the Uintah Valley Reservation recieves 0% of oil revenues because they are not a federally recognized Tribe. Even though Congress recogized the Tribe in 1865, the Department of the Interior has never put them on their list.

So why hasn't the most documented Indigenous Tribe in Utah never been recogized? Follow the money!

That's my opinion. -Phillip B Gottfredson.

 

02/22/2024

Phillip B Gottfredson Makes a Guest Appearance At The Hutchings Museum

The Hutchings Museum in Lehi, Utah, is considering acquiring a 7-foot version of Gary Lee Prices statue of Timpanogos Chief Wakara. Author and Historian Phillip B Gottfredson briefly spoke, saying, "During my years of research of the Timpanogos Nation and the Black Hawk War, and all the many accounts I read, not one account ever talked about the Timpanogos version of the Black Hawk War. No account said anything about the Indigenous point of view. This, I believe, is one reason it is so important for the Hutchings Museum to have this statue of Wakara and to educate people to the true history of Utah's Black Hawk War."

Leesa Clark-Price and Ed Conder spoke eloquently to the council about the Timpanogos Wakara project and the Statue of Responsibility project.

Timpanogos council member Perry Murdock represented the Timpanogos and spoke in support of the Hutchings Museum having the statue.

Also in attendance were James Pritchett, along with his wife Karen and their grandson Kendrick. James is the great-grandson of Timponogos Chief Tabby.

02/21/2024

There are times when someone gets it right, and Signarama NAILED IT!! I am talking about the new sign I had made and installed for my Suburban. Now that's perfection!! Thank you Signarama in Orem, Utah!! Excellent customer service, they are the best!!!

 

02/08/2024

THE UINTAH OURAY RESERVATION DOES NOT EXIST

The Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray agency was federally recognized in 1937, under the constitutional name "Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation." Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation is the Ute Nation's constitutional name, BUT THERE Is NO UINTAH OURAY RESERVATION. There has never been any congressional action that created a reservation called the "Uintah & Ouray Reservation." The Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation lives on the Uintah Valley Reservation and are referred to as the Northern Ute.

Caleb B. Smith, Secretary of the Department of Interior, recommended to President Lincoln that the Uintah Valley, in the Territory of Utah, be set apart and reserved for the use and occupancy of Indian Tribes of Utah. "I respectfully recommend that you order the entire valley of the Uintah River within Utah Territory, extending on both sides of said river to the first range of contiguous mountains on each side, to be reserved to the United States and set apart as an Indian reservation," he said. President Abraham Lincoln responded, "Executive Office Oct. 3, 1861," with the President's words, "Let the reservation be established, as recommended by the Secretary of the Interior." The Uintah Valley Reservation was then enacted into law on May 5, 1864, by the Act of Congress. See Mistaken Identity of Utah's Timpanogos Nation & the Ute Tribe

NOTE: The Utah Division of Indian Affairs states on their website the following: "Three bands of Utes make up the Northern Ute tribe: the Whiteriver, Uncompahgre, and Uintah. The Uintah Band was first to call the Uintah Basin their home. Later, the Whiteriver and Uncompahgre bands were removed from Colorado to the Uintah Valley Reservation, creating the Uintah and Ouray Reservation." And... "After conflicts with the Mormons, the Utes signed the Treaty of Spanish Fork in 1865 and were forced to move to the dry Uintah Basin."

Historian Floyd O'Neil famously said, "You can't stretch a rat's ass over a rain-barrel." He explained, "No treaties were made between the Indian people of Utah and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons); 'agreements' were made between the Mormon Church and the indigenous people. At best, these agreements were divisive to trick the Indians into giving up their land," he said. See Black Hawk War Treaties

There is no U & O reservation, and no treaties! Wow! Add that the Utes relinquished any claim to land they may have had when they signed the Ute Treaty of 1868 in Colorado, and they were not sent to Utah until 1881. And even the Utah Division of Indian Affairs doesn't understand the history of the Indigenous people they represent, really?!

2/5/2024

IMPORTANT: The Fort Utah Battle Creek Canyon pages have been corrected. Over time story lines unintentionally got out of sequence as new material was added, but hopefully they are corrected now. Sorry for any inconvienance it may have caused.

 

1/22/2024

A Hand Up For The Timpanogos!!

Wait! Is that Congressman Burgess Owens Raiders Super Bowl Champ? Indeed it is, with Timpanogos Nation Chief Executive Mary Murdock Meyer! WOW!! And take a closer look; Mary is wearing Bugess's Championship ring! WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!

Yesterday was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer person than Mary Murdock Meyer, or Burgess for that matte! All thanks to Gary and Leesa Price. The room at Alchemy Foundry in Springville, Utah, was packed with amazing people, Mike Mendenhall, mayor of Spanish Fork, the honorable Judge Marla Snow, Debora Bond Heber City Council, Wakara Agular and Michele Agular, direct descendants of Timpanogos Chief Wakara, Jim Pritchett great-grandson of Timpanogos Chief Tabby and wife Karen and grandson Kendrick, representatives from Central Bank, author Phillip B Gottfredson, and the entire Tribal Council of the Timpanogos Nation.

 

Internationally renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price inspired everyone by describing the story behind his latest 7' masterpiece bronze of Timpanogos Chief Wakara.

"I call it, A New Day", said Gary. "Because this statue represents a new begining for the Timpanogos Nation." A hundred and sixty years have passed since the days of the Utah Black Hawk War when Mormon leader Brigham Young took from the Timpanogos their land, their culture, and freedom.

To the statue's left is a miniature version of Gary's Statue of Responsibility. "The Statue of Responsibility is more than a statue," Gary explained, "it is a movement. The message, two hands clasping wrists, is that we all have a responsibility to each other. Sometimes we are the hands reaching up for help, sometimes we are the hands reaching down to help. So it is no accident that the statue of Responsibility and the statue of Wakara have come togeather at the sametime. It is no accident that I met Mary when I did, or that we had the opportunity to bring the Statue of Responsibility to Utah."

Mayor Mike Mendenhall announced that he and the city of Spanish Fork have approved land and resources for the Chief Wakara statue, "Spanish Fork, I believe, is a perfect location for the Wakara statue," Mendenhall explained. Mayor Mendenhall described how Spanish Fork got its name from the early Spanish explorers Dominguez and Escalante, who camped in the area in 1776 and met the Timpanogos people. "Mary has expressed her desire to have the statue placed in Spanish Fork because she said, "the land is sacred land of our people." Please donate to the Timpanogos Wakara Statue Project

The Mayor praised Phillip B Gottfredson's book My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Message of Peace. "If you haven't read the book you need to," said Mike Mendenhall. Phillip presented Congressman Burgess Owens with a copy of his book. Judge Snow sat beside Phillip and said, "I have read your book. My husband has read it. I bought two more for my friends," she said. "I feel deeply honored that Judge Snow and Mike like my book," said Phillip.

Timpanogos Tribal Council

 

1/10/2024

The Black Hawk Monument at Spring Lake, Utah

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 1, 2018

Let's correct racist and inaccurate Black Hawk War monuments please!

We begin by looking at each line of the above monuent below:

Monument: When the Ute Indian Chief, Black Hawk died on September 27, 1870 near Spring Lake and was buried by his tribe in a nearby ravine, there was laid to rest a man designated by Brigham Young as "The most formidable foe amongst

Fact: 1. Black Hawk was not Ute; he was Timpanogos. See Timpanogos Bio. 2. Black Hawk died at Spring Lake and was buried by his kin on a hillside above the lake on the south side. 3. The Utes were not in Utah until 1881, 8 years after the Black Hawk War ended. 4. Black Hawk was only in the war for 14 months when he was shot at Gravely Ford. He spent the last two years of his life campaigning for peace, called "Black Hawk's Mission of Peace. You don't see the settlers doing that, This monument doesn't tell us the rest of the story.

Monument: the Redman" that the pioneers had encountered in many years. These words were prompted by the memory of Chief Black Hawk's part in Utah's worst Indian war which ended in 1867. The war commenced in April 1865 at Manti, Sanpete County. Three years later, when the Indians were finally brought to terms 51 settlers had been killed and 25 settlements abandoned in 5 counties.

Fact: 1. The war may have begun for the Mormons in 1865 at Manti when drunken John Lowry pulled war Chief Jake Arapeen off his horse and beat the hell out of him. Before that date, there were over 40 bloody confrontations spanning 24 years, which began in 1848 at Battle Creek Canyon with Brigham Young's "Extermination Order." Fact: 2. There were no "Indian problems" until the whiteman came and stole their land. But the monument doesn't mention that. 3. The Timpanogos population is estimated to have been over 70,000 when the Mormons came to Utah in 1847. Brigham Young boasted, "I do not suppose there is one in ten, perhaps not one in a hundred, now alive of those who were here when we came." That being the case, the death toll of the Timpanogos was staggering. 4. Our research shows 932 documented Timpanogos deaths and 238 Whites. This does not include deaths from smallpox and starvation! The Timpanogos Tribe decreased by 90%.

Monument: The seriousness of the Indian depredations was such that during the three-year war, over 4700 men of the Territorial Militia were called into service.

Fact: 1. The "Territorial Militia" they refer to was Brigham Young's all Mormon miltia which was illegal BTW. 2. No mention of Mormon depredations that cost the Timpanogos their lives, land, and irreversable damage. See What Does the Timpanogos Version of the Black Hawk War Look Like?

Monument: Expenses incurred during the war were in excess of one and one half million dollars. Although scattered Indian raids continued into the summer of 1868, the Black Hawk War was regarded as officially closed in 1867.

Fact: 1. The cost of the war is correct according to reliable histories, however, The LDS Church billed Congress for that amount. See Memorial of the Legislative Assembly of Utah 2. As far as the war ending in 1865, according to the Native people of Utah it has never ended.

Final note: The word "Indian" is also offensive to Native Americans. They prefer Native American, Indigenous, or Tribal names such as the Timpanogos or the Paiute. "Indian" is Whiteman's term dating back to Columbus when he thought he had discovered India.

It's monuments like these that unintentionally cause divisions between our cultures, racism, and hate. We need more balanced accounts that tell both sides of the story. Research shows what people know about the Utah Black Hawk War they get from reading monuments like this one. We have a responsibility to tell the truth for future generations. Besides, remember that descendants of leaders like Black Hawk see these monuments, too. How would you feel if it was your ancestors on these monuments?

 

1/9/2024

A NEW DAY FOR THE TIMPANOGOS NATION!!

It's a new day for the Timpanogos Nation as the newly completed Bronze Statue of Chief Wakara rolls out of the Alchemy Foundry in Springville, Utah. Taking nearly a year to complete from conception to casting, renowned Sculptor Gary Lee Price has created a masterpiece of one of the seven great Chiefs of the Timpanogos Nation. And if all goes according to plan, Wakara will be installed in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Chief Wakara was the Principal Chief of the Timpanogos when Brigham Young and 134 Church of Jesus Christ members entered the Great Basin in 1847. For more information, please visit Chief Wakara.

This is the first time in 160 years since the Black Hawk War in Utah anyone has honored the Timpanogos—a heartfelt thanks to Gary Price and the Timpanogos Nation Chief Executive Mary Murdock Meyer. Hopefully, this will be a new beginning for the Timpanogos Nation.

Donate to the Timpanogos Project Chief Wakara Monument

Visit Gary Lee Price

-Phillip B Gottfredson

 

1/6/2024

Truth-out!! FAKE History!!

FACT: This is NOT Timpanogos war Chief Black Hawk, aka "Antonga." This is a photo of a Kiowa Apache called Black Hawk.

This photo is an albumen print taken in 1875 by William S. Soule, the post photographer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The Smithsonian collection has provided it.

Utah's Black Hawk died in 1870 at Spring Lake, Utah. There are no known pictures of Antonga Black Hawk who was a war Chief of the Timpanogos Nation from 1865 to 1870. The Timpanogos are not Ute and never were. They are Snake-shoshonee, an entirely different Tribe in language, customs, and bloodlines.

For decades, this photo has been incorrectly labeled and widely published many times on the internet, in news articles, magazines, and books as being a Ute Chief named Antonga Black Hawk of Utah.

I wish to thank David McLaughlin for this photo and information.

 

FACT: This is not a photo of Timpanogos Chief Wakara aka Walker. It is Chief Colorow of the Colorado Ute Nation who died in 1888.

This photo, for over 20 years, has been published many times on the internet, and printed material as being Chief Wakara. Chief Wakara was the principal Chief of the Timpanogos, and died in 1855. The Ute and Timpanogos are different Tribes in bloodline, customs, and origin. The Timpanogos are not enrolled members of the Ute Tribe and never were.

1/4/2024

Celebrating the casting of Timpanogos Chief Wakara

Great day at the Alchemy foundry of sculptor Gary Lee Price in Springville, Utah, today. We all celebrated the casting of Timpanogos Chief Wakara. In the above photo, left to right, Carl Christensen Tribal Council, Ed Conder Artisan, Perry Murdock Tribal Council, Leesa Price, Mary Murdock Meyer Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation, Gary Price, Jim Pritchett Great Grandson of Chief Tabby, Karen Pritchett, Kendrick grandson of Jim and Karen, Phillip B Gottfredson Author Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, and Stephanie Christensen.

 

Jim Pritchett seeing for the first time the bronze casting(unfinished) of Timpanogos Chief Wakara. Wakara was a brother of Jim's great-grandfather Chief Tabby.

In the second photo are Gary's sons poring 1700 degree bronze into molds.

Following the tour of the foundry Gary and Leesa treated us to a delicious meal at the La Casita restaurant in Springville.

The statue of Wakara is the first in a series of sculptures. It has been suggested that each of the Timpanogos Chiefs be recognised and placed in different places in the state of Utah honoring the Timpanogos Nation, and provide education, which is long overdue. The Utah Black Hawk War brought irreversable damage to the Timpanogos. And though we can never undo the wrongs of the past, we can join the movment to bring healing on both sides for gerations to come. There is tremendous gratitude that the Timpanogos Nation offered their full support for this project that everyone can participate in. One city inparticular already had land donated, and financial backing.

Because this is just the begining, detailed information will be posted as progress is made.

 

12/19/2023

Website Updates

BlackHawkProductions.com has been undergoing it's annual makeover. Fixing technical glitches, and giving things a cleaner look. We sure hope you like our new look, and thank you for your patience if we have caused you any inconvienance. We're almost done. Just a few more tweeks.

Best wishes to all this holiday season !!

 

12/17/2023

NEW RESEARCH!!

Timpanogos Chiefs Wakara, Tabby, Arapeen, Sanpitch, Grospean, Ammon, and Tintic had a sister(s) !!

Stay tuned, we're gathering all the facts still.

 

12/18/2023

Timpanogos Chief Tabby's Great-grandson

Checkout our new page on Timpanogos Chief Tabby's great-grandson! This is what colonialism looks like...

James Leonard Pritchett

a great-grandson of

Chief Tabby

 

Excerpt: "Who am I, where did I come from, and what am I doing here." Leo continues his life-long quest to find the answer to those questions. He is never told the Snake-shoshonee Timpanogos are not Ute and are distinctly different Tribes in origin, blood, language, and customs. I recall vividly the conversations I had with the Ute Tribe back in 2004. Several people told me, "We are afraid to talk about those days; the church might take revenge on us." Since then, others have explained that "because the church has orders to exterminate us, we were raised to never tell anyone that we are Timpanogos; it was a matter of life or death." 

Read More

 

Blackhawkproductions.com's Research News & Updates Archive is past articles going back to the year 2018. The material on this page regarding the Utah Black Hawk War has been arranged by the posting date. We recommend using your browser's 'search this page' feature to find articles by date or subject.

For the most current news and updates please click HERE.

 

Phillip B. Gottfredson, author of "My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace", endorses Gary Lee Price's latest sculpture of Timpanogos Chief Wakara Monument, and Gary reciprocates by endorsing Gottfredson's book! "Gary is a damn good friend, and I believe friendships are forever," said Phillip.

11/21/2023

Today will go down in history as the legeslature of the state of Utah unaminously voted to install Sculptor Gary Lee Price's 305 foot Statue of Responsibility on the site of the old state prison at the point of the mountain in Utah.

“We used to be a nation of builders and architects, and now we’re a nation of arsonists. We tear apart, we destroy, we tear down, and there’s so little left to inspire us,” said Cox. “I believe Utah is still a state of architects, a state of builders. I still believe that we believe in big things – things that outlive us, things that are bigger than us, things that matter more than just the moment – and I wanted something that would represent that, and this is that!” Utah Governor Spencer Cox (An exerpt from the Governor’s address yesterday at our SoR presentation at the State Capitol.) Nov. 21, 2023

 

10/23/23

Fireside Chat With Phillip B Gottfredson

The public is invited to a fireside chat with Phillip B Gottfredson, Author of My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace. The event will be on November 5th, at 7:pm at the home of Holly Anderson Robbins at 1235 North 250 East Orem, Utah. Phillip will discuss the Black Hawk War in Utah and the sacred lifeways of the Indigenous peoples of Utah. Phillip will also do a book signing. For more information please contact Holly at 801-885-0703. R.S.V.P

 

10/19/2023

STILL MORE TO COME!!!

It's been a fantastic year, moving from Arizona to Utah, getting kicked out of a motel for smoking in the bathroom, meeting new and awesome friends, book signings at two festivals, and all the support for the Black Hawk War Project. Most important is all the public recognition the Timpanogos Nation is getting now; to see the smiles on their faces and the hope in their eyes goes beyond words to describe. And it's just the beginning!

Renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price is about to make the first bronze casting of Timpanogos Chief Wakara in his Springville foundry. This, my friends, is a historic moment in the lives of the Timpanogos. Since the Timpanogos were forced to leave their home in 1878, they were finally given the recognition they deserved. And this, too, is just the beginning.

As grateful as we all are, much work still needs to be done. And to be perfectly honest, we stand on the shoulders of many people who helped us along the way. Donations support a lot. Thank you very much for that!! And our book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace is selling very well now, still 5 star reviews three years in the running! WOW!! Grateful for that as we continue to get the story out to the public. Thank you!!

 

Phillip B Gottfredson

 

9/27/2023

Meeting Sculptor Gary Lee Price

I spent a delightful afternoon with my old friend Gary Lee Price at his studio/foundry in Springville, Utah. Not only is Gary a master sculptor but he is the author of Devine Turbulence #1 International Best Seller. Gary has bought eleven copies of my book My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace as gifts to his many friends. I am truly grateful and honored to know Gary.

In the above photo is a seven foot statue of Timpanogos Chief Wakara, better known as Chief Walker. More information on that project when the time is right.

Thank you Gary Price and all the best!!

 

9/16/2023

Timpanogos Nation Cultural Festival

It was exciting to see and meet many members of the Timpanogos Nation at the second annual Timpanogos Nation Cultural Festival at The Orchard University Mall in Orem, Utah. There were hoop dancers, Tribal speakers, and drummers. Chief of Staff for Utah's Attorney General RIC CANTRELL is seen in the above photo speaking with the author of My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, Phillip B Gottfredson, at the Timpanogos Tribes booth. "The time is long overdue to recognise the Timpanogos Nation as the original inhabitants of Utah," said Phillip.

Tribal Council member Perry Murdock and Julian Reed Tribal members gave powerful speeches and sang sacred prayer songs. James Flaming Eagle Mooney, gave the opening and closing prayers honoring Mary Murdock Meyer, Executive Chief of the Timpanogos Nation.

"A heartfelt thanks to Ed Conder, Gary Lee Price, and Leesa Price for their support and helping us. THANK YOU!!" - Phillip Gottfredson

 

9/13/2023

Timpanogos Nation Cultural Festival

September 16, 2023 | 3:00-6:00 PM

Come to the 2nd annual Timpanogos Nation Cultural Festival in The Orchard at University Place.

Immerse yourself in captivating performances (schedule coming soon), authentic artistry and yummy Frybread.

There will also be yard games and a FREE dreamcatcher craft for kids (while supplies last).

Stop by the Timpanogos Nation and the Runa Arts booths for authentic Native American items for sale.

Runa Arts is also located inside the shopping center by Dillard’s.

Meet Mary Murdock Meyer, Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Tribe, and Author Phillip B Gottfredson in person. Mary & Phillip will be signing the book My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, which will be available for purchase. Black Hawk's Mission of Peace is a history of the Tribe, Pleasant Grove, and the Black Hawk War of Utah and was written in collaboration with the Timpanogos Tribe.

 

9/01/2023 UPDATE!

PLEASANT GROVE HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Timpanogos Tribe Culture Display

Park in Pleasant Grove, Utah, on Monday, September 11, 2023 ~ 5pm until dark TODAY!!

"A new feature of Heritage Festival in 2023 is a cultural display by the Timpanogos Tribe. Honoring the original inhabitants of the ground now occupied by Pleasant Grove."

Meet Mary Murdock Meyer, Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Tribe, and Author Phillip B Gottfredson in person. Mary & Phillip will be signing the book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, which will be available for purchase. Black Hawk's Mission of Peace is a history of the Tribe, Pleasant Grove, and the Black Hawk War of Utah and was written in collaboration with the Timpanogos Tribe.

Renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price's clay sculpture of Timpanogos Chief Wakara, better known as Chief Walker, will be on display for the first time. Sometime soon, Gary will cast in bronze a 30-foot version of Wakara. The exact location for the final version is still being decided, but it will be somewhere in Utah County.

Be there, or be square :-)

 

8/13/2023

Congressional Acts Governing First Nations There was a series of congressional acts designed to diminish tribal lands, or reservations, the Dawes Allotment Act 1887, the Reorganization Act 1934, the Termination Act 1953, Then came the boarding schools and the LDS Church Indian placement program 1954. The Self Determination Act 1970, and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act 1978.

 

7/17/2023

Utah Chief Antonga Black Hawk (1837-1870)

NOTE: For clarification, the were three or more "Black Hawk's" in Utah history. When referring to the Timpanogos Chief I use the name "Antonga Black Hawk."

Today the Ute Tribe claims that Antonga Black Hawk is their ancestor and that he was not Timpanogos but Ute. According to the 1885 Indian Census Roll of the Uintah Ute of the Uintah Valley Reservation, the only Black Hawk born into the Mountain family was in 1851. And it shall also be noted that the repatriation documents clearly state that Antonga Black Hawk was a Timpanogos Indian.

The Utes Black Hawk couldn't have been at Battle Creek Canyon in 1848 and the Fort Utah massacre in 1850. He could not have led Utes into battle in the Black Hawk War between 1865-1870. The Utes were brought to Utah under the Congressional Act of 1880, following the death of their agent Nathan Meeker at the Whiteriver Agency in Colorado. See Utah Black Hawk War; Timpanogos Biography

Timpanogos Chief Antonga Black Hawk was born in 1837 and was the son of Sanpitch, who was the brother of Timpanogos leaders Wakara, Arapean, Tabby, Ammon, Sowiette, Kanosh, and Grospeen, who was known as the "Royal Bloodline." For more information, visit the Timpanogos Nations' official website: Timpanogos Nations's official website.

May I also add, when I was closely working with the Utes in 2005 to 2009, I would ask them who Chief Wakara was. And Chiefs Tabby, Arapean, Sanpitch and others. They would tell me "they were renegade Indians, not our people." But today they are now claiming them as their chiefs. Colorado Ute Chiefs were Ouray, who died August 24, 1880, Colorow died 1888, and Ignacio died December 9, 1913. There is no record of these Chiefs being in Utah or taking part in the Black Hawk War.

 

6/17/2023

An Open Appology

During my routine review of the content on our website, I came across the following paragraph I wrote back in 2017:

The Fremont Indians; Fact or Fiction? It is not uncommon for the 'scholars' of Utah to create fallacious names for Indian Bands and Tribes or confuse one for the other. Here is an excellent example of confusion. Utah has a long record of inaccurate and fabricated Native American history. For example, let us take the Fremont Indians. There never was any tribe called the Fremont, a name derived from an early explorer named John Fremont who in 1843 tripped over some Indian artifact that no archeologist could attribute to any particular Tribe. So in their typical disrespectful 'devil-may-care' fashion toward indigenous peoples, they fabricate one calling it the "Fremont Indians." We can only imagine the confusion this will cause later on down the road for researchers, readers, and historians alike.

I have rewritten this paragraph to read:

The Fremont Indians; Fact or Fiction? Well, yes, and no. The so-called "Fremont Indians" refers to a Native American culture that existed in what is now the western United States, primarily in present-day Utah and surrounding areas. "Fremont" comes from the Fremont River, named after John Charles Fremont, an explorer who surveyed the region in the 1840s. John C. Frémont, also known as "The Pathfinder," was an actual historical figure and an explorer of the American West in the 19th century. He was born on January 21, 1813, in Savannah, Georgia, and died in New York City on July 13, 1890.

The Fremont River originates in the Fish Lake Plateau. It flows southeastward through the Capitol Reef National Park before eventually joining the Muddy River. The so-called Fremont lived in the region from approximately 400 to 1300 CE.

Beginning in the 1920s, archaeologists started the study of artifacts found along the Fremont River that they couldn't attribute to any known Tribe then, so they named them "Fremont." They are a Tribe indigenous to Utah, so they're given a French name by non-Native people? This a classic example of how disinformation over time becomes fact. We can only imagine the confusion this fictitious name will cause later on down the road for researchers, readers, and historians alike.

 

6/6/2023

The Power of Intention

writer Phillip B Gottfredson author Black Hawk's Mission of Peace

Dear Supporters,

It is with great passion and an unwavering dedication to the truth that I address you today. Over thirty years ago, my journey into the depths of the Black Hawk War in Utah began, ignited by the powerful words of my great-grandfather's book, "Indian Depredations in Utah," published in 1919. Little did I know that this path would lead me to a profound connection with the Timpanogos Tribe.

During the years of my research, I uncovered a hidden tale that has been shrouded in silence for far too long. The Timpanogos Tribe, brave and resilient, has carried the weight of their untold story for 160 years. While the pages of history were being rewritten by those who sought to romanticize the Mormon colonization of the Great Basin, the Timpanogos were unjustly erased, their rightful place stolen from them.

But now, the winds of change are blowing. A spark was ignited by releasing "My Journey To Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace" in 2019. Last summer, the Timpanogos began to rise, capturing the attention of historians, state legislators, anthropologists, and the general public's hearts. Their story, once silenced, now echoes far and wide.

To you, our steadfast followers, I extend my deepest gratitude. Your unwavering support has fortified our resolve in this noble pursuit. We have fought tirelessly, pushing against the currents of indifference and erasure. We have forged a path where none existed, shedding light on the dark corners of history.

Today, I stand in awe of the Timpanogos Tribe. Their courage, wisdom, and resilience have brought them to the forefront. Their long-suppressed voice has found resonance, and their platform grows stronger with each passing day.

There is still much ground to cover, much truth to unearth. But be assured we remain committed to our shared cause. We will continue to navigate this arduous journey, hand in hand with the Timpanogos, and we vow to keep you informed every step of the way.

Together, we have embarked on a mission that transcends the boundaries of time and injustice. We have the power to rewrite history, to give voice to the silenced, and to restore the stolen dignity of the Timpanogos Tribe. Let us seize this moment, for it is through unity and unwavering determination that we shall create a future where truth prevails.

With heartfelt gratitude and unyielding hope,

Phillip B Gottfredson

 

6/2/2023

Open Letter From Phillip B Gottfredson

Hi everyone!

Let me update you on what's been happening since moving back to Utah after 25 years. It has really been a challenge in many ways. The population has grown tremendously here. Towns have become bustling cities. Prices have skyrocketed. All the once fertile and productive farmlands are paved with concrete and asphalt. New subdivisions are crammed with quickly built homes and apartment complexes that all look the same, only a few feet apart. Every major retail chain is here and repeated the same from city to city. Developers have a cookie-cutter mentality and no imagination whatsoever. It's monotonous and boring. Above it all is the majestic snow-capped Wasatch mountains, the only familiar remnants of what was once a paradise for Indigenous people who called it their home.

My house is on the foothills with a panoramic view of Utah Valley and Utah Lake. Deer pass through the neighborhood, often looking for food and shelter. No longer able to make their way to the nearby lake because of fenced properties and traffic-clogged roads and freeways, they look worn and weary from doging the dangers and noise of a ruthless sprawling city. Frightened by the very sight of a human being, they dive into small patches of untouched land for safety and sanctuary, where it's only a matter of time before that will disappear too.

For me, it's a bag of mixed emotions. And like the deer, I, too, struggle to find a safe haven in what was once my home.

I awakened at 7am for a doctor's appointment at 9:20am this morning. I had waited over a month to see him. I drove 30 miles to the doctor's office and through rush-hour traffic. I arrived 13 minutes late and was told I would have to reschedule my appointment for being late. I thought of all the times I had to wait in the doctor's office 20, 30, an hour past my appointed time. "No," I said, "forget it! I wont be back."

 

04/07/2023

I first posted this article back in March 2019. It may seem insignificant to some people, but it is disrespectful to the living descendants of Timpanogos War Chief Black Hawk.

It's Time to Clean Up Utah's History

Fact: This is NOT Utah's Black Hawk! This portrait is an Albumen print taken in 1875 by William S. Soule, the post photographer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The photo is of a Kiowa Apache man called Black Hawk. The Smithsonian Collection has provided it. 

This photo has been published online and in numerous books and publications as Utah's Black Hawk for decades. There are no known photos of Antonga Black Hawk. Utah's Black Hawk died in 1870.

Utah's Timpanogos Chief Antonga Black Hawk was Timpanogos Snake shoshonee, not Apache or Ute. He was buried at Spring Lake, Utah, in 1870, and he was not from Oklahoma! See Black Hawk's burial for more information.

 

 

03/31/2023

The Vatican repudiates 'Doctrine of Discovery,' which was used to justify colonialism

Quoting from NPR news article 03/30/2023 by Bill Chapple

Nearly 500 years after papal decrees were used to rationalize Europe's colonial conquests, the Vatican repudiated those decrees on Thursday, saying the "Doctrine of Discovery" that was used to justify snuffing out Indigenous people's culture and livelihoods is not part of the Catholic faith.

The doctrine was invoked as a legal and religious standing by Europeans who "discovered" new lands and violently seized it from people who had been living there for generations. It has been cited in different arenas for centuries, including by the U.S. Supreme Court — as early as 1823 and as recently as 2005.

"It renounces the mindset of cultural or racial superiority which allowed for that objectification or subjection of people, and strongly condemns any attitudes or actions that threaten or damage the dignity of the human person." See NPR news article 03/30/2023 by Bill Chapple

For Decades First Nations have insisted the Catholic Church condemn the Doctrine of Discovery and admit to the destruction it brought to indigenous people worldwide. This historical moment is essential to reconciliation and justice for Native Nations.

 

03/25/2023

Spirit of the East, Bring Us Our New Dawning

Transitioning from Arizona to Utah over the past seven months has been a worthwhile and sometimes tricky challenge. Over two decades ago, my brother and I left our home in Utah and moved to Oregon to live with a Shoshone family to begin our quest to learn First Nation peoples' history and sacred lifeways. We sold everything and left with a trailer of personal belongings, two dogs, two cars, and a few thousand dollars. More importantly, we promised each other that we would accept whomever and whatever stood before us without judgment or expectations. It was a leap of faith, believing it was something we had to do and for reasons that would become clear as years passed. My brother David crossed over into the spirit world in 2015. He told me to continue our work and said, "it's not about us, you and me, but all of us."

It is good to be back home again. I live in Pleasant Grove, Utah, only a short distance from Battle Creek Canyon, where the Black Hawk War began in 1849 between the Timpanogos Tribe and Mormon Militia which I see as serendipitous that I should find a place to call home here in Pleasant Grove I believe was meant to be, but unplanned. And I am grateful for my friends who have given me tremendous, often unexpected, and overwhelming generosity in the transition.

The Timpanogos Tribe collaborated with me in writing the book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, released in 2019 by Archway Publishing from Simon Schuster. Before this time, virtually no one knew anything about the Timpanogos in Utah. It has played an essential role in giving the Timpanogos a voice. Over the past year, the Tribe, notably Mary Murdock Meyer, Chief Executive of the Timpanogos, has been very busy giving talks to groups and major organizations throughout Utah, bringing much-needed attention to the Tribe and its history. And that is why I moved back here to further assist the Tribe in any way they see fit to further educate the citizens of Utah about the Black Hawk War and the Timpanogos Nation.

But we can’t do all that needs to be done alone. We need your continued help as well. And the best way for our allies to help is to continue efforts to understand the devastating consequences that Settler Colonialism brought to the Timpanogos Nation. Knowledge is power, and the more knowledge you have the greater your influence in bringing much-needed healing to those who are suffering from generational trauma because of the atrocities of the Black Hawk War. Being well-informed when engaging in conversations and discussions about the Black Hawk War and the Timpanogos brings change.

Everything you need to stay informed is at your fingertips. Two informative websites, BlackHawkProductions.com, TimpanogosTribe.com, the book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, and direct access to Mary Murdock Meyer and the Timpanogos Tribe, and myself, Phillip B Gottfredson.

01/18/2023

Did You Know?

When the Civil War ended in 1865, attention turned toward western expansion and the U.S. military to Indian fighting. The United States government called for the extermination of tribes who resisted giving up their land. Highly publicized massacres of Indians brought the attention of philanthropic groups. American humanitarians proposed a new solution to the "Indian problem" by eliminating Indianness through acculturation. Christian reformers argued that if Indians were assimilated, the Indian problem would vanish. In the 1860s, the U.S. adopted a Peace Policy, gradually shifting toward a more peaceful approach, and genocide of Native Americans was officially discouraged. The Peace Policy meant forcing Native tribes to reservations and boarding house schools to assimilate them into white culture, thus eliminating Native peoples bloodlessly. The intended effect of the Peace Policy was to prevent the rampant slaughter of Native Americans.

Christianization, education, and cultural development became the means to assimilate tribal peoples so that they could be integrated and absorbed by mainstream society. Example, the LDS church converted many of Utah's Native Americans to Mormonism, according to church doctrine, and in so doing, the so-called "loathsome" Indians would become a "white and delightsome people." They would be forgiven of the sins of their forefathers. (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 5:21-23) According to church doctrine, the nature of the dark skin was a curse, and the cause was the Lord; the reason that the Lamanites (Indians) "had hardened their hearts against him, (God)," and the punishment was to make them "loathsome" unto God's people who had white skins.

12/15/2022

Gratitude from Phillip B Gottfredson

A few days ago, I received an e-mail from Marcus, a young man who explained he had just finished reading my book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace. "It was life-changing," he wrote. He liked it so much that he went out and bought four more books to give his friends as Christmas gifts. If that weren't enough, he made a sizable donation to BlackHawkProductions.com to thank us for all our hard work. 

I wanted to share this with all of our supporters because I appreciate people like Marcus for his thoughtfulness and incredible generosity. To all who have helped us through the years, a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone. We love you! 

12/10/2022

COLONIALISM VS. SETTLER COLONIALISM

"Settler Colonialism" is a fairly new term we have recently added to the narrative of the Black Hawk War. What is the difference between Settler Colonialism and colonialism? The Oxford dictionary defines colonialism as "the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically."

Settler colonialism is more specific. "Settler colonialism is an ongoing system of power that perpetuates the genocide and repression of indigenous peoples and cultures." According to Global Social Theory, "Settler colonialism is a distinct type of colonialism that functions through the replacement of indigenous populations with an invasive settler society that, over time, develops a distinctive identity and sovereignty." It is the elimination of Native Americans, and the seizure of land and resources in perpetuity.

Over the past month, Phillip B Gottfredson has updated much of the website injecting the term Settler Colonialism to the narrative so people better understand that it is the primary cause of Utah's Black Hawk War. For example, in the opening paragraph of the website he wrote, "Settler colonialism is the primary cause of  Utah's Black Hawk War. The war spanned 24 years from when Mormons' arrived in the upper Great Basin in 1847 to the extermination and forced removal of the Timpanogos Nation of the Wasatch to the Uintah Valley Reservation in 1871."

Another example, "Religion had a significant role in the Black Hawk War in Utah, cultural conflict, political motivation, and legal justification for settler colonization of North America. "Papal authority is the basis for United States power over indigenous peoples," wrote Peter d'Errico, Legal Studies Department, University of Massachusetts/Amherst."

11/25/2022

CHECK OUT OUR NEW BOOKSTORE!

P B Gottfredson's BookStore is for historians, educators, students, researchers, and enthusiasts of the Utah Black Hawk War and Native American culture. That means YOU!

P. B Gottfredson's BookStore

 

10/29/2022

BlackHawkProductions.com sees a remarkable increase in search engine ranking!

Over the past month, Phillip has been updating the home page. The purpose of the home page is to give our visitors a clear overview of our website. And not only for visitors but search engines such as Google, it is essential to get things right from a human perspective and technical requirements.

The good news is we are done, for now, and our website has the distinction of being listed at the top of Google's results page. Using the search term "Utah Black Hawk War," you see we are at the top position! Not too shabby for a 78-year-old and an old-school web designer! We apologize for any inconvenience we have caused during the process.

 

 

10/25/2022

The Gunnison Massacre 1853

by Phillip B Gottfredson

On this date Qct. 25, 1853, the Gunnison Massacre occured. Peter Gottfredson, my great-grandfather, gives a detailed account of the massacre in his book Indian Depredations In Utah. It's also here on our website at EXCERPTS.html#Gunnison.

What is remarkable, the story begins describing the exact location of the massacre and an old post that marks the exact spot. While I was in Utah over the summer, I was told by a friend who went to the location out in the west desert that the post is still there after 169 years! That's amazing!!

 

10/08/2022

GOING HOME

Since 2002 Phillip B Gottfredson has been researching the Utah Black Hawk War while learning Native American history from First Nations people in North and South America. Phillip just returned from Utah, where he spent the summer with artist and long-time friend Carol Pettit Harding in Pleasant Grove. Carol designed the cover for Phillip's book My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace. "I was born and raised in Springville, Utah," said Phillip, "and now it's time for me to return home again. I met so many new and wonderful friends up there on this trip. I spent two beautiful days at the home of Mark and Patti Eddington in Ivins, Utah. Mark Eddington, as many know, is a veteran journalist for the Salt Lake Tribune and former Lead Speech Writer at Utah Governor's Office. Patti is an artist, Founder, CEO, WebrandWest LLC, and a long-time friend. She introduced me to amazing people and showed me around Kayenta Center For The Arts.

"The book is doing well in Utah, and I believe my time could be better spent in Utah where I will continue my work."

The exact date Mr. Gottfredson will return home has not been set. Sometime in the early spring of 2023.

 

09/25/2022

In remembrance of Chief Black Hawk

We remember September 26, 1870, War Chief Black Hawk was laid to rest at Spring Lake, Utah, the place of his birth. He had fought the good fight and passed out of this world in peace.

 

08/21/2022

The Sanpete Messenger Heard Us! Chief Sanpitch is not Ute!

On July 9th we reported that a new monument was errected in honor of Chief Sanpitch saying he was Ute. Phillip B Gottfredson and Sarah Grahm fired off letters to the Sanpete Messager newspaper explaining that Chief Sanpitch was not Ute but Timpanogos. The newpaper responed by publishing our letter to the editor.

We are grateful to the Messenger for helping us correct a bit of Utah's History!

 

08/19/2022

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE :-)

Blackhawkproductions.com cites a large number of books on our website. For your convenience, we have linked those books to Amazon, where you can purchase them. We have changed our main menu at the top of each page. You can now choose SOURCES which takes you to our source material, and added LIBRARY, which takes you to all the books we cite as references that you can now purchase via our website. This added convenience makes our website an even more unique as a valuable online resource on the subject of Utah's Black Hawk War and Mormon colonization.

08/19/2022

"It's Not About Me"

The article "It's Not About Me" has been updated. "Written in 2008, it was time for me to update it for clarity. The story was taken from my journal and had never been edited. During those times, I was still learning and trying to understand my responsibility as a fellow human being, not just a historian. My arrogance at the time was something I had to overcome before I could learn from Native Americans their history and lifeways. It was a hard lesson but necessary. I am forever grateful to the Native people for their patience and understanding and for not giving up on me. - Phillip B Gottfredson

 07/19/2022

"On Sept. 7, 1872, the final peace treaty of the Utah Black Hawk Indian War was signed at the home of Bishop Seeley by General Henry A. Morrow, Orson Hyde, Amasa Tucker, Fredrick Olson, Reddick Allred and William S. Seeley. Representing the Indians were sub-chiefs Tabiona, White Hare, Angitzebl and others who served under Chief Black Hawk. The war cost Utah $1,535,000.00, the lives of more than 75 whites and several times that many Indians."

The above is the inscription found on another Monument in Mount Pleasant, Utah. This is of coarse an old monument, the plaque itself going back some 60 years. It is located at the relic hall on main street, which historically was the home of Bishop William S. Seely back in 1872, when the 'treaty' was signed.

So, lets unpack the truth here. First, only congress had the authority to sign treaties with the Indians, as I have pointed out countless times. This was not a treaty and was never ratified by Congress, it was an agreement. Second, Tabby was the principal Chief of the Timpanogos at the time, he was not a "sub-Chief of Black Hawk." And his name was not Tabiona. Third, according to our Timeline, there were 932 Indian deaths, and 238 whites. This does not take into account the thousands more Indian deaths that were the result of starvation, small poxs, and numerous other diseases that spread among the Timpanogos Nation. And last, but least, the war cost the Mormon church one and a half million, not Utah. Utah wasn't a state until 1896.

Also see below 07/09/2022 entry about the new monument just installed in Mount Pleasant, Utah.

See more information.

 

07/19/2022

More Fallacious Stories; This one is about Chief Wakara's burial.

There are many conflicting accounts about the location of Wakara's grave and how he was buried. Mormons say that Wakara was buried in a "sepulcher of stone" on the rugged eastern hillside above this little community of Meadow, Utah. And that his grave was located in Dry Canyon, the first canyon north of Corn Creek.

Here's where the story goes off the rails. Mormon accounts alleged that Wakara's two wives and some Paiute children were "offered up" as a sacrifice on the day of his burial. Besides his weapons, trinkets, and presents, the two wives and a young boy "were fastened alive to the pedestal beside Wakara's body." It is also presumed whites robbed the grave in 1909.

The Territorial Statehouse and State Park in Fillmore describe Wakara's burial. I asked Perry Murdock if his great-great-grandfather Wakara was buried with two children. He was puzzled. "I can tell you we would never do such a thing. That's not our tradition. No, that wouldn't happen. we have sacrificed a horse sometimes so the person's favorite animal would be with him, but we would never treat our women and children that way."

The Fillmore State Exhibit is embarrassing, a slanderous one-sided story meant to dehumanize and moralize the indigenous peoples of Utah as a tourist attraction. It is disgraceful. For more information see: Wakara

07/17/2022

UTAH TREATIES WITH NATIVE AMERICANS - WHERE ARE THEY?

In a 2004 interview, I had with the late historian Dr. Floyd O'Neil at the University of Utah. O'Neil explained that "no treaties were made between the Indian people of Utah and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)." He explained that 'agreements' were made between the Mormon Church and the indigenous people. "At best, these agreements were divisive to trick the Indians into giving up their land," he said. The Federal Government was the only one with the legal authority to make treaties. These so-called treaties were made in Heber, Mt. Pleasant, Ephraim, Cedar Valley &, etc., but Congress never ratified one.

The question that keeps coming up is "where are these treaties now?" Its a great question because as you travel around Utah towns and cities, you see any number of monuments that clearly state that "a treaty was signed with the Utes that ended the Black Hawk War." Where are these treaties? - Phillip B Gottfredson

07/11/2022

Hutchings Museum Lehi, Utah

Have you visited the Hutchings museum in Lehi, Utah? If not, put it on your list of things to do. I had the pleasure of meeting with the museums director Daniel Larsen who invited me to talk about the history of the Black Hawk War and the Timpanogos Tribe. We spent a couple hours discusing various aspects of the war. Daniela has also been working with Mary Murdock Meyer Chief Excutive of the Timpanogos Nation.

Daniela invited me to speak at the museum about my book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, and my decades of work on the war and Native peoples in Utah. Though the date hasn't been set yet, I will annouce it here when the time comes.

I am truly grateful to Daniela and the Hutchings Museum in their willingness to educate people on the history of Utah's first Nations peoples. ~ Phillip B Gottfredson

07/12/2022

Have You Read The Utah State Consitution?

Article III Ordinance

[Right to public domain disclaimed -- Taxation of lands -- Exemption.] Second: -- The people inhabiting this State do affirm and declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within the boundaries hereof, and to all lands lying within said limits owned or held by any Indian or Indian tribes, and that until the title thereto shall have been extinguished by the United States, the same shall be and remain subject to the disposition of the United States, and said Indian lands shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and control of the Congress of the United States. The lands belonging to citizens of the United States, residing without this State shall never be taxed at a higher rate than the lands belonging to residents of this State; but nothing in this ordinance shall preclude this state from taxing, as other lands are taxed, any lands owned or held by any Indian who has severed his tribal relations, and has obtained from the United States or from any person, by patent or other grant, a title thereto, save and except such lands as have been or may be granted to any Indian or Indians under any act of Congress, containing a provision exempting the lands thus granted from taxation, which last mentioned lands shall be exempt from taxation so long, and to such extent, as is or may be provided in the act of Congress granting the same

07/10/2022

 

What does the term "Federally-Recognized Tribe" mean?

According to the United States Department of Justice, "Recognition" is a legal term meaning that the United States recognizes a government-to-government relationship with a Tribe and that a Tribe exists politically in a "domestic dependent nation" status. Federally-recognized Tribes possess certain inherent powers of self-government and entitlement to certain federal benefits, services, and protections because of the special trust relationship.

Example of "benefits" are, education, social services, law enforcement, courts, real estate services, agriculture and range management, and resource protection.

The Department of the Interior says, "The Federal acknowledgement regulations, known as “Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe,” 25 CFR Part 83, govern the Department’s administrative process for determining which groups are “Indian tribes” within the meaning of Federal law.  The Department’s regulations are intended to apply to groups that can establish a substantially continuous tribal existence and that have functioned as autonomous entities throughout history until the present.  When the Department acknowledges an Indian tribe, it is acknowledging that an inherent sovereign continues to exist.  The Department is not “granting” sovereign status or powers to the tribe, nor creating a tribe made up of Indian descendants."

NOTE: Indigenous rights, vested treaty rights, and sovereignty rights remain intact as being the supreme law-of-the-land wheather a Tribe is formally recognized or not.

Achieving recognition can take years, decades or more.

"Indian Laws," as they are called, are extremely complex. Colonization not only resulted in loss of land for First Nation peoples, they were made wards of government. Native Americans were denied having any say in the laws that govern them.

07/09/2022

Here We Go Again - New monument in Mount Pleasant, Utah claiming Chief Sanpitch was Ute

July 2, 2022 the unveiling of a new monument in Mount Pleasant, Utah took place honoring Chief Sanpitch. Chief Sanpitch(Tenaciono) was a son of Chief Moonch, and the father of Black Hawk whoes mother was Tanar-oh-wich and gave birth to several children. Sanpitch was a brother of Timpanogos leaders Wakara, Sowiette, Arapeen, Ammon, Tobia (Tabby), and Grospean. However, that's not how the monuments plaque reads. It clearly states that Sanpitch was Ute. See Sanpitch for more information.

As explained in our 06/28/2022 post below, the Utes are not shoshonee and were not in Utah untill 1881.

Chief Sanpitch was a signor of the 1865 treaty at Spanish Fork. There were no Utes present at the signing of the treaty.

See article in the Sanpete Messager

 

07/1/2022

Update: Our feedback period is now closed.

 

06/28/2022

Uintah Valley Reservation or Uinta & Ouray Reservation-Which is it?

Abraham Lincoln in 1861 that created the Uintah Valley Reservation. Caleb B. Smith, Secretary of the Department of Interior, recommended to President Lincoln that the Uintah Valley, in the Territory of Utah, be set apart and reserved for the use and occupancy of Indian Tribes of Utah. "I respectfully recommend that you order the entire valley of the Uintah River within Utah Territory, extending on both sides of said river to the first range of contiguous mountains on each side, to be reserved to the United States and set apart as an Indian reservation," he said. President Abraham Lincoln responded, "Executive Office Oct. 3, 1861," with the President's words, "Let the reservation be established, as recommended by the Secretary of the Interior." The Uintah Valley Reservation was then enacted into law on May 5, 1864, by the Act of Congress.

The Uintah Valley Reservation was for the exclusive use of the Indians of Utah, namely the Timpanogos Nation, who are the indigenous 'Indians of Utah.' President Lincoln does not reference the "Uintah & Ouray Reservation." Nor make any reference to the "Utes" or Ute Indians of Colorado or "Confederated Utes of Colorado" whatsoever. The Timpanogos of the Wasatch were sent to the Uintah Valley Reservation in 1873.

So, why do we see a any number of maps and documents referencing the Uintah & Ouray Reservation in utah? That is the question!

The Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation is federally recognized but not until 1937, under the constitutional name "Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation." "Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation" is the Ute Nation's constitutional name, NOT A RESERVATION. There has never been congressional action that created a reservation called the "Uintah & Ouray Reservation." The Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation lives on the Uintah Valley Reservation and are referred to as the Northern Ute.

You may ask, why do the Utes use that name? Why do Utah maps label the Uintah Valley Reservation as the Uintah & Ouray Reservation? Maybe some one else can answer that question, we have our theories. What we do know is that it causes a lot of unnecessary confusion, and maybe intentionally.

06/27/2022

Changes to our home page has been on-going over the past year and more. Why? Its complicated to explain the technical requirements of SEO (search engine optimization) and visitor navigation. People today use any number of devices from cell phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. But it is critical to our website's success that we are able to meet all those requirements and much more.

BlackHawkProductions.com at the present averages the 7th position on Google's results page. Out of three million pages found on the search term "black hawk war Utah," 7th position is amazing! But it hasn't been easy. The competition is enormous, and results can change at anytime.

More importantly is navigation. It is extremely important to our visitors to quickly and with ease find what they are looking for. Especially those who are first-time visitors who may not know anything about Utah's Black Hawk War, they too need answers.

It might be interesting to some that BlackHawkProductions.com began in Utah before the year 2000, but is not a local Utah website. Though Phillip B Gottfredson is from Utah, born and raised, and lives there five months out of the year, we are based in Parker, Arizona. Our server Inmotionhosting.com is in California. We are world-wide. Most of our visitors come from Utah, and cities across the United States. Many others come from Great Britain, Denmark, Brazil, Canada, China, France, and Germany, to name some.

The good news. We are hopeful that we are now on target because of the adjustments we have made, and any changes going forward should be minor(fingers crossed).

Because of people like you who have donated and purchased our book, BlacHawkProductions.com has been able to deliver rich and informative content FREE to the public for over two decades!

Thank you so very much! :-)

 

06/24/2022

I want to acknowledge artist Carol Lahoma Pettit Harding for her tremendous contribution and generosity. Carol created the cover for my book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace. Please visit our Source Material page for more information. - Phillip B Gottfredson

06/24/2022

We mistakenly listed the Cree Nation as being from Wyoming on our main page. The Cree originate from Canada and some migrated to North Central Montana. We have made the correction. Our apologies to the Cree Nation.

06/23/2022

Only 7 days remaining when we will close our feedback link listed below. So far we have not recieved any comments, which is interesting. Meanwhile traffic to our site remains as strong as ever. Time spent on our site has increased over last year. We are grateful to our visitors for your loyal support.

06/01/2022

Your feedback is important as we strive to bring you essential information about the Black Hawk War in Utah. So, through June, we have set up a special e-mail account where you can comment on our website, make suggestions, ask questions, and whatever is on your mind. All comments will remain private, with no exceptions. At the end of 30 days, we will delete this special e-mail account. So now is a unique opportunity to give us your feedback directly at:. Just copy & paste our address into your e-mail client.

NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. BlackHawkProductions.com will never your e-mail address for any purpose other than to reply back to you only if you give us permission to do so.

Thank you, looking forward to hearing from you!

Phillip B Gottfredson

BlackHawkProductions.com

05/30/2022

Greetings to everyone. We decided to permanently delete Chief Black Hawk's Biography from our website. The reason is that the material was redundant to the material found on the Timpanogos Biography page. Black Hawk's Biography page was one of the first pages written back in 2002 when we launched our website. It has since become obsolete. And from a technical standpoint was in conflict with SEO(Search Engine Optimization) best practices. We are automatically redirecting all traffic to the Black Hawk's Biography page to the Timpanogos Biography page instead.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

blackhawkproductions.com - Team

 

05/17/2022

TREATIES IN UTAH - Phillip B Gottfredson

There seems to be some confusion about treaties in the State of Utah that is important to understand.

In 2004 I discussed treaties in Utah with Dr. Floyd O'Neil at the University of Utah. O'Neil explained that "no treaties were made between the Indian people of Utah and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)." He explained that 'agreements' were made between the Mormon Church and the indigenous people. "At best, these agreements were divisive to trick the Indians into giving up their land, he said. The Federal Government was the only one with the legal authority to make treaties. These so-called treaties were made in Heber, Mt. Pleasant, Ephraim, Cedar Valley &, etc., but Congress never ratified one.

The Spanish Fork treaty was between Mormon colonists and the Timpanogos Tribe in 1865 at the peak of the Black Hawk War. The treaty would fail ratification by Congress as it bore the signature of Brigham Young. Congress declared, "rather than associate with Brigham Young on such an occasion, they would have the negotiations fail; they would rather the Indians, than the Mormons, would have the land." - Commission of Indian Affairs Annual Report 1865, O.H. Irish (Source: Department of the Interior)

The significance of the Spanish Fork treaty is that it was intended for the Timpanogos Nation and signed by their leaders. None of the seven Tribes of Colorado known today as "Colorado Utes" were named. One exception was the Yampa Ute, who were named, but any claim they may have had was relinquished by them in the Ute Treaty of 1868 in Colorado, which had nothing to do with Utah. Leaving intact the homeland of the Timpanogos Nation. The "Sanpete Utes" as they were referred to in the treaty are not Ute. Sanpete gets its name from Chief Sanpitch, Black Hawk's father, Timpanogos. Historians mistakenly identify Timpanogos with Colorado Tribes. The Timpanogos are Snake-Shoshone and are not enrolled members of the Ute Nation. (Source: Timpanogos Nation, Commission of Indian Affairs Annual Report 1865, O.H. Irish and Department of the Interior.)

See Black Hawk War Treaties for more information.

I understand it gets confusing, I hope my explanation helps to clarify this subject.

 

05/14/2022

Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative

Secretary of the Department of the Interior Debb Haaland has released a stunning Investigative Report on the Indian boarding schools in the U.S. The report comprehensively addresses the facts and consequences of federal Indian boarding school policies—implemented for more than a century and a half—resulting in cultural assimilation and territorial dispossession of Indigenous peoples.

Consisting of 408 federal schools across 37 states, including 21 schools in Alaska and seven schools in Hawaii, we at BlackHawkProductions.com are grateful to Secretary Halland for launching this long-overdue investigation into this tragic time in our history.

We encourage our followers and supporters to visit our Facebook page Black Hawk War; Timpanogos of the Wasatch, for the latest developments, insights, and comments. If you are not already a member of our group - please join our campfire! It's eazy-pezzey!

 

05/09/2022

NEW IMPROVEMENTS FROM BLACKHAWKPRODUCTIONS.COM

Phillip B Gottfredson's Bio & Source Material page has always been popular because there are many resources for those who are researching the Black Hawk War. We have made it even better by adding hotlinks in the PUBLICATIONS section to Amazon, where you can purchase some of the great books we have listed about the Black Hawk War.

We hope you find this added feature convient! :-)

 

05/07/2022

Slate Canyon Earth Day - First People's History with the Timpanogos Nation

Mary Murdock Meyer Chief Executive Timpanogos Nation, and author Phillip B Gottfredson were guest speakers at the annual Slate Canyon Earth Day event held at the mouth of Slate Canyon above Provo, Utah today. Mary spoke about Native teachings and the sacredness of all things. "We are grateful to Kristina Davis, a faculty adjunct in UVU’s Biology department, for inviting us to speak at this event," said Gottfredson. What was suspose to be a half hour speech went over two hours because people were so interested in Native teachings. "Mary and I are so please that people have sincere interest in Utah's Native culture and protecting our enviornment," Mr. Gottfredson added.

 

03/29/2019

It's Time to Clean Up Utah's History

 

FACT: This is NOT Utah's Black Hawk! This is a photo of a Kiowa Apache man called Black Hawk. This portrait is an Albumen print taken in 1875 by William S. Soule who was the post photographer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. It has been provided by the Smithsonian collection.

For decades, this photo has been published many times on the internet and in numorous books and publications as being Utah's Black Hawk. There are no known photos of Antonga Black Hawk. Utah's Black Hawk died in 1870. HELLO, anyone listening?

Utah's Timpanogos Chief Antonga Black Hawk was Snake shoshonee and was buried at Spring Lake, Utah in 1870. He was not from Oklahoma!

 

FACT: This is not Utah's Chief Walker. This is a photo of Chief Colorow of the Colorado Ute Nation who died in 1888.

This photo, for over 20 years has been published many times on the internet as being Chief Walker. Chief Wakara was the principal Chief of the Timpanogos, and died in 1855. Did you know, he was born Apache and adopted by the Colorado Utes?

Three things to remember:

1. The Timpanogos are not Ute and never were. They are Snake Shoshone. The Utes are not Shoshone.

2. Colorow was a Chief of the Colorado Utes. He was an Apache.

3. Utah's Black Hawk was born at Spring Lake, Utah circa 1838, died 1873 at Spring Lake. He never was at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. There are no known photos of Utah's Black Hawk.

We hope this will be clear up some misinformation that is on the internet. It's a also a fact that there were 3 or more indigenous people in Utah's history that were named Black Hawk. So we need to appreciate that mistakes are made. Example, for nearly ten years I too believed the Timpanogos and Ute were the same tribe, until I finally met Mary Murdock Meyer Executive Chief of the Timpanogos. And to be frank, it really pissed me off when I learned I basically had to start all over again in my research. Not to mention, I had to re-write some eighty pages on our website. I will always be grateful to Mary for setting me straight though. - Phillip B Gottfredson

 

03/17/2022

The Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation speaks about Utah Lake (Mary Murdock Meyer) Video

 

3/05/2022

Black Hawk Productions' website is a work-in-progress as we continue to bring to our followers an accurate and detailed account of the Utah Black Hawk War.

Black Hawk's biography was first written in around 2005 while I was living in Oregon with the Shoshone. Since then, I have found lots of new and exciting information published in my book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace.

Since the release of my book, our website has undergone extensive revision, as many of you are aware. As our website has grown in popularity, so has the demand for fresh material. Black Hawk's biography, in my opinion, needs a refresh. It will take some time to update it, so please be patient as we go through the process.

Thank you very much for your loyalty.

Phillip B Gottfredson

 

3/04/2022

BLACK HAWK'S REAL NAME Update

by Phillip B Gottfredson

Back in Feb. of 2021 we posted an article about the name Antonga Black Hawk if it was infact his real name. And we promised we would keep you updated on our progress investigating this question.

A decade or more ago, I talked with three knowledgeable Utes, Vinita Taveapont, Loya Arum, and Sylvia Cornpeach. I had tremendous respect for them; sadly, all three have since crossed over. I recorded in my research journal that they agreed that Black Hawk's name was "Noonch." However, I could never find any documentation to support their claim.

Then I met the Timpanogos. MaryMeyer gave a plethora of documents; among them was the Dominguez Escalante journal that said, "Turunianchi the Great" was the leader of the Timpanogostzis, and Cuitza-pun-inchi, Pan-chu-cun-quibiran, and Picu-chi were his brothers. Turunianchi had a son named Moonch." The eight brothers were the uncles of Antonga Black Hawk, who was the son of Sanpitch. Moonch was the father of Chiefs Sanpitch, Yah-Keera (Walker), Arapeen (father of Jake Arapeen), Tabby, Ammon, Sowiette, Kanosh, and Grospeen, who were known as the "Royal Bloodline."

Could it be that Vineta, Loya, and Sylvia were right? Black Hawk's grandfather was Moonch, and perhaps he was named after his grandfather. They said "Noonch," only one letter off from Moonch.

I can't find any definitive proof that "Antonga" was his name, period. Meanwhile, the search continues, and we will give you updates as they occur.

 

 

2/13/2022

In Remembrance of Battle Creek Canyon and Fort Utah

February 29, 1849, marks the first of six massacres of the Timpanogos at the hands of Mormon colonists. Young Black Hawk was taken captive as his family was murdered at Battle Creek Canyon. Little Chief was wet with tears, and his horse wet with sweat. A year later, on February 9, 1850, a second massacre occurred at Fort Utah when 70 Timpanogos were killed, and their bodies decapitated. The decapitated heads were then sent to Washington and sold for scientific examination.

Please, let's take a moment and remember this tragic event in American history and honor the Timpanogos Tribe, whose only crime was they were "Indian."

- Phillip B Gottfredson

12/22/2021

Tabernacle dig yields remains

According to an article published by the Deseret News Paper in 2005 "Construction crews doing seismic retrofitting work on the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square apparently have unearthed the remains of a Native American in a concrete vault." See article on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/groups/UtahBlackHawkWar/

 

12/10/2021

Department Of The Interior to remove derogatory names from 11 Utah sites

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Deb Haaland has issued two federal orders to remove the term "squaw" from geological features in Utah. Haaland said "Racist terms have no place in our vernacular on our federal lands. Our Nation's lands and waters should be places to celebrate the outdoors and our shared cultural heritage - not to perpetuate the legacies of oppression."

The Tribune points out that the term "squaw" is used as a sexual slur for Native American women."

See article here

 

11/29/2021

The Unsanitized Version of the Utah Black Hawk War

Since 2002 Black Hawk Productions has brought you the unsanitized version of Utah's Black Hawk War, and our work is not complete. Our objective has been to educate people about the unjust and unnecessary devastation it has brought to the Timpanogos Tribe of Utah, dedicated in our efforts to help the Timpanogos Nation find its rightful place in Utah's history. 

"Over the many years, I have spent considerable time helping people who have contacted me with essential questions concerning war," said Phillip B Gottfredson, who founded Black Hawk Productions in 1989. "It has been a powerful experience making new friends and listening to their personal stories about their ancestors who were in the war. And no less important the countless indigenous people who gave me a greater understanding of those trying times, I am eternally grateful." 

INTERVIEWS FROM 1989 TO PRESENT: Personal Interviews of numerous descendants of early Utah Pioneers; oral histories while living with members of various Native American Tribes throughout North and South America; Western Shoshone, Colorado Utes, Grandriver Ute, Uncompahgre Ute, Yampa Ute, Moache Ute, Wiminuche Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, and Navajo Dine'. Additional interviews with Hopi, Zuni, Pueblo, Apache, Shoshone, Arapaho, Lakota, Silets, Makah, Southern Paiute, Northern Paiute, Yrok, Anishinaabe, Cherokee, Choctaw, Inca, and Mayan of San Pedro Guatemala. Living descendants of Timpanogos Chiefs Walkara, Sowiette, Arapeen, Sanpitch, Ammon, Tobia (Tabby), and Grospeen (all brothers), and Black Hawk (son of Sanpitch), Chief Executive Mary Murdock Meyer and Members of the Timpanogos Nation Uintah Valley Reservation;

09/30/2021

Will Bagley; Friend & Mentor

Will Bagley author of "Blood of the Prophets: Brigham Young and the Massacre at Moutain Meadows," passed away September 28, 2021.

Will was the first historian I came to be personally acquainted with when I began my research of the Black Hawk War in Utah. I am forever grateful to Will for the many hours we spent discussing Mormon history. Whenever I had questions, he was my go-to historian, for I always knew Will would give me informed and honest answers.

Admired and respected by thousands, he will be greatly missed.

- Phillip B Gottfredson

08/10/2021

The Timpanogos Make A Rare Public Appearance

Brigham Young University ecology professor Ben Abbott invited Chief Executive Mary Murdock Meyer of the Timpanogos Nation to speak at the Utah Lake symposium that was held at Utah Valley University on June 5th. Utah Lake has been in decline from years of abuse and neglect going back decades. Toxic algae blooms, and invasive fish such as carp have led to developers recommending the lake be dredged and islands built in an effort to accommodate Utah Valley's burgeoning population growth. Whereas ecologists and scientists disagree with such plans saying it would drastically change the ecology of the lake.

Quoting from the Salt Lake Tribune article, “It seems to me this project would do more to damage than help,” said Meyer, whose ancestors once inhabited the lake shore, in her opening remarks. “Utah, I ask that you please take heed to what the experts opposing this project have to say. Our people and the reeds around this lake give you your name. We stand in favor of restoring the lake to its natural beauty, but have to oppose privatizing and desecrating this historic sacred site.” (See the full article in the Salt Lake Tribune)

More information regarding the Timpanogos Nation and the extraordinary support they have found will be announced soon by the Tribe on their website: The Timpanogos Nation; Uinta Valley Reservation.

 

07/19/2021

GOOD NEWS FOR THE TIMPANOGOS NATION

It has been an exciting month for the Timpanogos Tribe of Utah. The good news is that a museum, historian, archeologist, archivist, and anthropologist scholars have expressed to the Timpanogos that they are willing to make a sincere effort to ensure they have their rightful place in Utah and American history.

"The meetings have gone well and have been productive," said Mary Murdock Meyer, Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation. Mary expresses cautious optimism that this may be the right time for long-overdue reconciliation and new beginnings for the Tribe.

More details to come as they are made available by the Tribal council.

 

05/13/2021

The State of Utah Water Rights Violation Uintah Valley Reservation

According to an article published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 05/13/2021 by Emma Penrod, the State of Utah and the CUP are attempting to take water from the Uintah Valley Reservation ignoring aboriginal treaty rights. The Ute Nation is suing the State to get back it's water "asserting that the misapproriation is one of a decades-long string of racially motivated schemes to deprive it of it's rights and property", according to the article.

"Rights and property" have been at the core of every conflict between the First Nation peoples of Utah and Mormon colonists since 1847. Hat's off to the Ute Nation for taking a stand to protect the Uintah Valley Reservation's valuable resources essential to life it's self. The State of Utah has no jurisdiction what-so-ever on tribal land according to the Tenth District court.

We are also grateful to the Salt Lake Tribune for making the public aware of the injustices aboriginal people of Utah have had to fight for, from traditional tribal homelands, hunting rights, fishing rights, the timber on their land, water rights, their culture, their religion, their identity, and freedom.

 

05/29/2021

THE WALKER WAR

We are pleased to announce Mary Murdock Meyer Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Tribe, and myself Phillip B Gottfredson have updated our story on the Walker War of 1853. We felt it was time to address the accuracy of Wakara's controversial burial, and his alleged slave trade.

For decades historians have written that two women were sacrificed and placed in his grave along with two live children and anywhere from 12 to 50 horses, depending on which Whiteman's account you read. And that Wakara stole from his own blood relatives their children and sold them as slaves. Mary, along with members of the Timpanogos Tribe, we have had numerous discussions about this story that has circulated for many decades, and gone by unchallenged. And of coarse no one has ever asked the Timpanogos their version of the story.

We invite you to read the Timpanogos first-ever version of Wakara's story.

 

05/09/2021

There were several broken links throughout and have been fixed. We apologies for any inconvenience.

05/03/2021 (broken link has been fixed)

Jay Winter Nightwolf: American Indian & Indigenous Peoples Truths

The Timpanogos Matter (Mary Murdock Meyer & Phil Gottfredson)

Mary Murdock Meyer is the Chief Executive of the Snake Shoshone Timpanogos Nation."As Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation I [Mary Murdock Meyer] have pondered many times how our people were forgotten. We are the living descendents of legendary Chiefs Walkara, Kanosh, Tabby, Arropeen, Washakie, Tintic, Sowiette, Sanpitch and others, who extended their hospitality to Mormon leader Brigham Young and his followers."Phillip B Gottfredson has been researching the Black Hawk War since 1989 and has published "My Journey to Understand... Black Hawks Mission of Peace"."Some 70,000 Timpanogos Indians — the aboriginal people of Utah — died from violence, starvation, and disease after Mormon colonists stole their land and destroyed their culture over a 21-year timeframe according to the detailed account Gottfredson learned from the Native Americans." Music:  Keep My Memory (Alexis Raeana feat. Charly Lowry)Jay Winter Nightwolf, HostVerona Iriarte, PrayerMoe Thomas, Production Editor

Please join Mary Murdock Meyer and Phillip B Gottfredson in a live podcast with Jay Winter Nightwolf. Recorded live a year ago from Mary's home on the Uintah Valley Reservation, Mary and Phillip engage in a powerful conversation with long-time talk host Jay Winter Nightwolf discussing the Timpanogos Nation and the Black Hawk War of Utah. Listen now.

 

 

04/09/2021

More updates to our website... REALLY@!?

from Phillip B Gottfredson:

Yes, but it was necessary. The reason this time has to do with SEO (search engine optimization). SEO is the art of getting the search engines to give your website high rankings in the search results. It is said Google is making a core change to it's search engine algorithms this coming May. And in order to meet their new requirements we have had to make a few more changes. It gets very complicated when designing a website in todays world of technology. It used to be so easy. And since I am an old-school web-designer the learning curve has been very challenging. But I have done my homework and hopefully the changes I have made are going to work. (fingers crossed)

Back in 2002 when I first launched this website, we were the only website on the internet talking about the Black Hawk War. Now there's thousands. The competition is getting harder all the time. And the catch 22 is, we have made thousands of changes over the past two years and that by itself has caused some SEO problems. The solution is to let it go now. Stop making changes and let the search engines catch up to what we have done.

So the good news is no more changes for at least until June when we can evaluate everything again.

 

03/26/2021

A SHOUT-OUT TO MY FRIENDS IN FT. DUCHESNE!

We've come along ways my friends. There can be no doubt the presence of the Timpanogos Nation is on the internet. All our hard word work and persistence is finally being realized not only in Utah, but nationally and internationally.

It is interesting that Brazil has taken a consistent interest. Website statistics show us they have been consistent in visiting our websites. China, Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, France, and Sweden are among a growing crowd of visitors as well.

For those who don't know about Ft. Duchesne it is the home of the Timpanogos Nation which is located in the north-eastern corner of the State of Utah. Established in 1886 by the United States government as a fort, it was closed 1912. Population of Ft. Duchesne is roughly 800 and is located on the Uinta Valley Reservation that was established by President Abraham Lincoln in the year 1861.

The Timpanogos just four years ago was barely known, but that is changing know. Hopefully they can achieve long over-due federal recognition they so justly deserve.

May the Timpanogos forever walk in beauty. - Phillip B Gottfredson

 

2/24/2021

ANTONGA BLACK HAWK - True or False UPDATE

In the previous article we discused the name Antonga and if perhaps it is of Spanish origin. If it is Spanish in origin then the letter 'G' would be silent. Antonga would be pronounced 'A-n-t-o-n-u-a' which could explain the difference in spellings 'Antongar" "Antongua" and a couple others.

2/17/2021

ANTONGA BLACK HAWK - True or False?

Historian Phillip B Gottfredson | Author "Black Hawk's Mission of Peace"

The name "Antonga" has for decades been a topic of many discussions with the Timpanogos Tribe. Was his real name "Antonga" and where did it come from? In the coming months we will be exploring this issue in an effort to find the truth.

"There are several different spellings" said Mr. Gottfredson. "Antonga being the most widely accepted. "Antongua" and "Antongar" are another versions I have seen in several historical accounts. I believe the name is Spanish in origin. The reasoning being that in those days Mexico bordered Utah to the south and the Timpanogos had trade relations with their Spanish-speaking neighbors. I believe it was a nick-name and may have been "Antonia" translated means "worthy of praise." One thing is certain, the Timpanogos don't recognise the name Antonga."

Updates to this article will be posted as our research progresses.

 

1/26/2021

Hi, this Phillip Gottfredson;

Some of the articles on our website I wrote a decade or more ago during the time I was learning about the Black Hawk War. I have been reviewing those articles and corrected my mistakes. For example, two articles one being 'John O'Sullivan's Manifest Destiny' and the other 'The Doctrine of Discovery.' I realize now that at the time I wrote these around 2009 I was confused, and for that reason assumed both were somehow interrelated. I apologize for the oversight. The Doctrine of Discovery was written by Christian monarchs in 1452. Whereas Manifest Destiny was written in 1839. However, it is important to know that both did play a role in the genocide of Native Americans.

And incidently, our page on The Doctrine of Discovery has gone viral three days in a row and still going.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay safe and keep up the good fight.

Phillip

 

01/09/2021

Good news all our updates have been completed!

We encourage everyone to 'REFRESH' or 'RELOAD' the page you are on for any updates to appear. This is especially important if you are a regular visitor to clear your browser cache. New visitors don't have to do anything.

We will continue to monitor our website and make any routine corrections.

Again thank you for your patience and we appologize for any inconvienance you may have experienced during this exausting process.

~ BlackHawkProductions.Com Team

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

 

12/30/2020

Black Hawk Productions has nearly completed all upgrades and updates to our website. It has been a long and tiring process having made over 700 changes since May of this year.

Navigation of our website has been a challenge. Today we uploaded navigational changes that we hope will make it easier for our visitors to find what they are looking for. We will continue to closely monitor the results of our efforts and make any adjustments when necessary.

Overhaul we are seeing high performance scores in the 90% range due to our efforts, and our bounce rate has dropped significantly into the 60% range. This means our visitors are staying on our site longer and finding good information, and the search engines are liking us more too.

Now that we have come to the end of our 'house-cleaning-chores' as it were, we can return to what we do best - researching the Utah Black Hawk War.

Thanks again everyone for your patience and on-going support. Stay Safe out there, and may we all find the courage and strength to endure these difficult times.

 

12/14/2020

Over the past weeks we have made several updates to our many topics and stories on The Black Hawk War. Proofreading all the material is a major undertaking, and while there much more to do we are working on it day and night.

Significant changes were made to our main website menu. We have structured and reordered the links to topics and stories making it easier for our visitors to find what they are looking for or browse. We also changed the settings on our Search Tool so results are more accurate.

Changes were made to our home page making it shorter and more to-the-point and hopefully bringing clarity to the intention and purpose of our website.

We apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused during this process. We suggest that our returning visitors 'refresh' their browsers to see our latest updates sooner than later.

Thank you! And please stay safe and well out there. :-)

 

11/29/2020

A Huge Problem For The State of Utah

by Author: Phillip B Gottfredson

For Utah's historians, scholars, and the State Of Utah to accept that the fact that the Timpanogos Tribe and the Ute Tribe are two distinctly different Tribes creates a huge problem.

For over a century, historians in Utah have mistakenly identified the Snake-Shoshone Timpanogostzis Nation as being Colorado Utes. Whereas the Utes and Timpanogos are two distinctly different Nations in origin, ancestral bloodlines, language, and customs. However, writers sometimes refer to them as "Timpanogos Ute" which is an Contradiction, a contradiction in terms. First Nations identity is critical in our understanding of the Black Hawk War in Utah, yet it remains the most overlooked topic causing inaccuracies in our histories leading to baseless conclusions, confusion, and false assumptions. The time has come to clear up some of these inaccuracies and explain the origins of these two individual Nations and how they both ended up on the same Uintah Valley Reservation. (See The Timpanogos-Ute Contradiction)

Throughout the state of Utah are countless historical markers, and burial headstones that refer to the Utes and the Black Hawk War. Not to mention countless publications books and records.

In spite of more than adequate documentation that proves the Timpanogos and Utes are separate Tribes, for reasons herein stated the powers-to-be are ignoring the truth. Meanwhile, a thousand member Tribe namely the Timpanogos, continue to struggle to be recognized by the federal government. For over 20 years they have fought for Federal Recognition status and have filed with the Department of the Interior over 13000 pages of documentation proving they are the original inhabitants of Utah, yet the Department of the Interior has not acted. They have not refused to give the Timpanogos their recognition, they simply make excuses for delaying their decision.

The facts are undisputable, the Timpanogos are who they say they are. But the Timpanogos didn't create the problem. The way I see it is, the blame falls squarely in the lap of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) and their one-sided history that has gone unchallenged for over a century. As I have said many times publicly, "celebrated scholars and award-winning authors who have written about the war never asked or cared what the Native Americans they studied had to say about their work. Nor did they ask them to analyze or interpret their books, or to share their own version of the particular story being told." If they had, its likely there wouldn't be this dilemma they are now faced with. There truth is often paradoxical.

As inconvenient the truth may be for the State of Utah, scholars and historians, and the agony they may encounter is inconsequential when compared to what the Timpanogos Tribe has suffered for over the past 150 years. University of Utah Prof. Daniel McCool explained, "We took from them almost all their land—the reservations are just a tiny remnant of traditional tribal homelands," We tried to take from them their hunting rights, their fishing rights, the timber on their land. We tried to take from them their water rights. We tried to take from them their culture, their religion, their identity, and perhaps most importantly, we tried to take from them their freedom."

As for the Timpanogos, they don't want pity, they only want justice.

 

11/23/2020

Our Message Is Spreading Internationally

Statistics from our BlackHawkProductions.com server reveals our message is growing in popularity internationally. Countries such as Brazil, Great Britain, Germany, France, Canada, Russia, Netherlands, China, and across the United States is growing in traffic to our website daily. Averaging over 10,000 visits a month, hundreds of visitors are spending between 30 minutes to over an hour in increasing numbers also.

This is exciting news for us as we have devoted endless hours over the years to achieve this kind of recognition. Thank you everyone for making BlackHawkProductions.com a great success!

 

11/23/2020

Interview With Author: Phillip B Gottfredson

BlackHawkProductions.com and The Oak Leaf by Ellinor IsadeRoss Eklöf of Sweden have teamed up to bring you a podcast featuring Author: Phillip B Gottfredson . Mr Gottfredson will be discussing the Utah Black Hawk War for about an hour. It was pre-recorded so you can listen in when it is convienant for you. You are invited!

 

11/9/2020

Some changes to the content of our website have been made. Our goal is to provide our visitors with accurate and up-to-date material about the Utah Black Hawk War as has been our tradition for nearly two decades now. As we continue our tradition, we will be rewriting and updating our content as we go forward, which is good, and some cases overdue.

The Utah Black Hawk War website has the distinction of being the go-to website for in-depth information on the Utah Indian wars. And it's FREE! It is nice when we receive a donation once-in-awhile though, after all, we do spend long hours each day maintaining our website for your interests and convenience. It a good feeling when someone shows their appreciation with a donation or purchasing one of our books. THANK YOU! :-)

 

10/27/2020

We have added to our SITE DIRECTORY a site-search tool. Now you can search our entire website for any subject you are looking for.

 

10/18/2020

The Utah Black Hawk War by Phillip B Gottfredson website has upgraded our Facebook page to PRIVATE to better serve the privacy of our members.

Did you know we mange three Facebook pages all relevant to Indigenous peoples in both North and South America? Follow us on Facebook and you will have access to all three!

 

10/01/2020

From Phillip B Gottfredson

Just returned home in Arizona for the winter. It was a good summer up in Utah spending time with friends and the Timpanogos Tribe. And I talked to many people who have read My Journey to Understand... Black Hawks Mission of peace. The book is selling well in Utah. Most notable were the few staunch Mormons I spoke with who loved the book. It was surprising to me how well they liked it. One gentleman told me he read it twice, and though he felt I was hard on the Mormon church, he expressed his sincere appreciation that the truth has been revealed. Honestly... I was rather apprehensive how those who have been born and raised in the church would react, but this man I spoke with for a couple hours said the time is log over due that we understand what really happened.

The Timpanogos are equally happy with the book, one tribal elder said she reads it every night before she goes to bed. She couldn't thank me enough for writing it. "Finally our history is being told" she said.

Of coarse the Timpanogos collaborated with me on the book making sure it was accurate. And I am truly grateful for their help. It was a good trip, and I am looking forward to next spring when I again will journey to the Uinta Valley Reservation for the summer.

 

0/15/2020

From Phillip B Gottfredson

We are deeply saddened from all the tragedy that is gripping our country and around the world. In my 75 years I can't recall anything that has been so bad as it is now. And I don't think there is anyone who isn't being affected in some way. People, animals, plants, nothing and no one is left out, we truly are in this togeather.

Yet, I have hope. I believe in the human spirit. We will find the way to come togeather and rebuild our lives again, and better. This is a time of great change throughout the world. And as long as we remain humble and prayerful and do what needs to be done, things will get better. It will take time, but it will happen.

Please stay safe, be kind to each other and above all find your warrior spirit. We need each other.

Phillip

 

09/15/2020

BLACKHAWKPRODUCTIONS.COM GETS A NEW SERVER

Over the past few days BlackHawkProductions.com has been changing over to a new server. Inmotion Hosting has long been our internet server, and when they notified us we were required to upgrade our service to a new Apache server we GASPED! Our greatest concern being it could be very disruptive. That our website and e-mail accounts would temporarily go down! Bad timing when we just launched our new books and made major changes to our website. And just before the holiday season?! We however complied, but nothing bad happened. We are truly grateful to Inmotion Hosting for stelar work, even though they warned us there could be some problems, the upgrade was seamless!

So we are loving our new server...it's faster! And fast is good...right? Big hugs for InmotionHosting.com!

 

 

08/28/2020

Open Letter From Author: Phillip B Gottfredson

Greetings everyone. I wanted to share with you what people are saying about my book "My Journey to Understand... Black Hawk's Mission of Peace." Recently sales of the book have taken off, and I am very grateful to those who are expressing how deeply moved they are by the book on many different levels. Archway Publishing from Simon & Schuster who published the book called me to confirm I have made it on their best-seller list!

More importantly, the other day around 6:30 am I had just got out of bed when a knock came to my door. It was a member of the Timpanogos Tribe I have known for a few years now. John is a hulk of a man, and I invited him in for coffee. He got to the point saying "I have been reading your book. I haven't got very far cause I can't hold back my tears. I have to put it down and after a couple days I read it some more until I can't see through my tears. Its so real to me my brother. I was just passing by going to town and had to stop and tell you."

There are so many stories I could share with you that are even more stunning, but it meant so much to me when John came by because its his ancestors I wrote about.

Being honest with you its all very humbling to me. It causes me to reflect over the past decades and all the beautiful people I met along the way I wish I could go back and do it again. And many have walked on who I miss dearly. But their spirit and the long conversations we had live on in my heart and in my book. I'm speaking of coarse about my Native friends who walked beside me opening my eyes and heart to world I never knew existed.

This book is not a story that is just about the Black Hawk War, but a boy who became his nations leader believing that love can overcome hate. Hypocritical morality. One who respected himself and appreciated others because we are all human. He understood the natural order that all inhabitants of Mother Earth are connected. He loved unconditionally, and forgave unconditionally, that being born human makes you superior to nothing. He knew that true freedom meant being in harmony with his fellow man and all that our Creator gave us. He fought to protect the sacred, his people, and human equality. This was Black Hawk's Mission of Peace.

I end here with a passage from my book I hope you will find inspiring:

A German poet, Johann Wolfgang Goethe wrote, “A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart.” I believe Black Hawk understood that  the path to healing begins within each of us. If you want to see love in the world, then be loving. If you want to find kindness in the world, then be a kind person. If you want there to be peace, then find peace within. Love, humility, honesty, kindness, courage, wisdom, and respect, these virtues we must have in our hearts before we will see them in the world.

Be who you truly are, and come from your heart in all that you do and say. You will find that the language of the heart is love, a universal language understood by all, even the animals who are our relatives, they too understand the language of the heart. We are too much in the habit of blaming others. It’s time we take a long look at what’s in our hearts, and be the person we want others to be.

Prayers and blessing to all my relatives here. Thank you for letting me share.

Phillip

 

08/12/2020

Phillip B Gottfredson's book "My Journey to Understand...Black Hawk's Mission of Peace" just made publishers Best Seller List! (Archway Publishing From Simon & Shuster)

Get the Book!

 

8/9/2020

Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation and Author: Phillip B Gottfredson were just recently interviewed on the Jay Winter Nightwolf radio show. A 21 year veteran radio host in Washington DC, Jay Nightwolf spent two hours discussing the Utah Black Hawk War, and the legacy of the war with Mary and Phillip. We will post a link to the interview as soon as it becomes available for our folowers to listen too.

 

Hi, this is Author: Phillip B Gottfredson and It gives me great pleasure to announce that my great-grandfathers book Indian Depredations in Utah is back in print as of Aug 1, 2020.

2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Peter Gottfredson's old-west classic firsthand account of the Mormon's Black Hawk War in Utah. First published in 1919 by Skelton Publishing CO. Salt Lake City, Utah, only 100 copies were printed.

I hope you will lend your support to the preservation of Peter's time-honored work by purchasing our official republication of Peter Gottfredson's original version of Indian Depredations in Utah.

 

Very gratefully yours, Author: Phillip B Gottfredson

 

7/30/2020

Changes have been made to our website improving functionality. We got rid of all those annoying new tabs that would open every time you open a new page. Now visitors are able browse freely without all those annoying tabs.

We love hearing from you! And so we have made it easy for our visitors who have comments, suggestions, or have questions to join our Facebook page. Just click on CONTACT US and click on the FB icon to join. If you have had a Facebook account for 3 months or more you are automatically approved!

As we announced earlier, we have put back into print Peter Gottfredson's book Indian Depredations In Utah that was first published in 1919. This republication is the original version of Peter's firsthand account of the Black Hawk War in Utah. We are celebrating the 100th year anniversary of Peter's book! And we are planning to come out with a 100th anniversary edition hopefully by the end of this year.

Thank you everyone for helping us to make The Black Hawk War; Utah's Forgotten History website the best!

 

7/19/2020

OPEN LETTER FROM PHILLIP B GOTTFREDSON

Where did the time go? At the age of 75 I cant help but reminisce a bit. Thirty one years have gone by now since I and my brother David began researching the Black Hawk War in Utah. And 18 years since I first launched this website. That's a lot of water under the bridge! And I have enjoyed every moment with no regrets. I am grateful to all who have supported my project, family, good friends, visitors, and donors. I could never have done it with out you!

What's truly amazing are the extraordinary experiences along the way. In my wildest dreams I never thought researching the Black Hawk War would take me all over the United States and down into south America. From Washington DC, to Washing state, reservations throughout the western states, and to the Mayan in in San Pedro, the past 20 years have been the best years of my life learning from Native American peoples their stories and life-ways.

But I say to you in all sincerity I never felt the journey was about me. In my mind it was always about us, all of us. It's been a quest to find and share with everyone the truth about not only the Black Hawk War, but the indigenous people across this land we all call home. There is so much we can learn from Native people, if only we would listen. And I can't thank them enough for their kindness, generosity, and patience in allowing me into their personal lives. Many have been the times we have along side each other down a lonely road, or through the forests deep, or sat beside and mountain stream, or starring into a warming fire, sometimes with tears of gratitude in our eyes for the beauty that surrounds us all. There is so much beauty to be grateful for if we would only open our hearts.

I always remember a conversation I had with a Hopi friend. In a time of confusion I said, "I love your culture so much I don't want to go back to my own. I feel caught between two worlds not knowing where I belong anymore." My friend spoke softly to me, "having a foot in both worlds is not a bad thing my brother. Its a blessing, a gift from Creator that you can walk in two worlds. And if you can, use that gift and be a bridge-builder." Humbled by his words it was then I understood my purpose in life. I understood why Creator had set my brother and me on a path that would forever change our lives in a good and meaningful way.

I have grown a lot over these past years. And the conclusion I have come to is best summed up in these words:

And after all is said and done about the War and all the suffering it caused, I make this one conclusion: In the end, it’s about the human condition. It is to know that because you were born human, it gives you superiority over nothing. The message of Indigenous America is connection, relationship, and unity. All people are one. One of the direct living descendants of Creator. Chief Joseph said, “We have no qualms about color. It has no meaning. It doesn't mean anything." And I believe that was Black Hawk’s message.

Follow your hearts with love in all that you do. Never be afraid to stand up for your truth. And always remember to use your gifts for the good of all, the two leggeds, the four leggeds, those that fly swim and crawl, the seen and the unseen. We all have a purpose for being here on Mother Earth. Be all that Creator gave you to be if it is good and meant to be for all our relations. Live your life in a good way that you will have no regrets.

 

BREAKING NEWS!

Peter Gottfredson's book INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN UTAH is back in print!

"When Peter first published his book in 1919, he could only afford a 100 printed copies," said Phillip B Gottfredson Peter's great-grandson. "I first republished Peter's book back in 2002, then there were only a few worn out copies to be found in the libraries."

Mr. Gottfredson went on to say, "Having just published my new book titled My Journey to Understand... Black Hawk's Mission of Peace I felt it fitting that my and Peter's should be made companion books. After all, it was Peter's book that gave me the inspiration to write my own. But there is much more we have in common which I find amusing, others call it fate. I call it coincidence."

"You be the judge, Mr. Gottfredson says. "Here are some facts. It took I and Peter 20 years to write our books. Peter published his in 1919, I published mine in 2019. Peter spent much of his time living in Timpanogos camps. I have spent five summers living with them also. Both book's are about the Timpanogos Nation and the Utah Black Hawk War. The list goes on, but I'm being honest with you, I never dreamed any of this would happen, it was destined to be."

"Grateful that great-grandfather's book has been held in such high regard, Peter would be pleased for sure as it was his wish that his book would have it's place in Utah's history. Out of respect for Peter and the Gottfredson family, I feel it is our duty to honor our ancestors legacy and preserve the dignity of his work that Peter Gottfredson so well deserves with this official edition of Indian Depredations In Utah. It is a paperback edition for now, however we are working on a beautiful cloth bound edition like Peter's original we hope will be out by years end."

"Meanwhile, I hope you will lend your support to the preservation of Peter's work by purchasing our official republication of Peter Gottfredson's book Indian Depredations in Utah."

Blackhawkproductions.com is very proud and excited to add Indian Depredations In Utah to our website as a companion book to Phillip B Gottfredson's book My Journey To Understand... Black Hawk's Mission of Peace.

 

05/26/2020

Battle Creek Canyon Pleasant Grove, Utah

by Phillip B Gottfredson

Remembering the lives lost at Battle Creek Canyon September of 1849, Carol Pettit Harding suggested that we plant a blue juniper tree at the site where the massacre took place at Battle Creek Canyon Park above Pleasant, Utah. We met with Deon Giles Park Director who gave us permission to plant the tree. Carol and I prepared the ground, made an offering and prayed over the spot.

 

 

04/12/2020

Just a few days ago a new member of our Facebook page David McLaughlin uploaded a never before seen document about Chief Arapeen dated 1856. "This is a copy of the original transfer of land comprising what is now Sanpete County, Utah from Arropine (Siegnerouch) to Brigham Young on December 23rd, 1856. I have viewed the original document several times at the Sanpete County Courthouse and am wondering if you have seen this original transfer document as well? So in essence Chief Arapeen signed over the San Pete land, the livestock, the guns, and tools listed to Brigham Young valued at the time at $155,765.00?" wrote David McLaughlin.

The document sparked lively discussion when Chief Excutive Mary Murdock Meyer of the Timpanogos Tribe and a direct descendant of Chief Arapeen pointed out that the handwriten document and the three signatures of the witnesses to the document were written by the same person. With that the discussion concluded with the sound of crickets.

We are grateful to David Mclaughlin for sharing this and have posted the document on our Black Hawk War Treaty page for all to see. Or you can logon to our facbookpage and also read the whole coversation.

 

04/09/2020

Did you know that blackhawkproductions.com manages three Facebook pages that are dedicated to many different aspects of Native American Nations and Tribes throughout north and south America? Covering a variety of fascinating topics from Native American spiritual beliefs, political and history. For your convenience we have listed them below along with descriptions and links. Currently we have over 2100 followers. Please feel welcome to join our groups and follow us on Facebook!

Phillip B Gottfredson's Group: "The heart knows not the color of the skin." One voice, one heart, one prayer, is to acknowledge that we are all one. Everything that exists has purpose and is an integral part of the tapestry we call the 'circle of life'.

At this time our focus is on the fossil fuel industry, corporations and people who choose excessive wealth over protecting our environment from their destructive greed. Phillip B Gottfredson's Group stands in support of equality, our right to protect our most fundamental resources, our right to abundant natural food, clean water, clean air, and healing Mother Earth upon which all life depends. https://www.facebook.com/groups/PhillipBGottfredson/ This is a public group.

Wisdom Keepers: Wisdom Keepers Group is a circle of kindred spirits who are students, teachers, leaders, and followers of spiritual and sacred life-ways of Native American indigenous cultures. No one person is more important than another. The opinions and comments of every person matters. Allow Honesty, Love, Courage, Truth, Wisdom, Humility, and Respect be the guiding principles in all posts and comments. Members are encouraged to ask questions, make comments, and share your own personal experiences. And so, Wisdom Keepers is a kind of sanctuary where we gather as a community to learn from each other, prayer and meditation. Emphasis on prayer and meditation. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheKeepersofWisdom/ This is a private group.

The Black Hawk War; Utah's Forgotten History: THE BLACK HAWK WAR trouble began when Mormon settlers pushed their way into the Great Basin (Utah) in 1847. Chief Wakara of the Timpanogos Nation who are indigenous to Utah, warned LDS Church leader Brigham Young and his followers they were not welcome to settle on their ancestral land. Brigham's all Mormon militia in hand with U.S. Troops would commit some of the most repulsive massacres in American history at Battle Creek Canyon in 1849, Fort Utah in 1850, Mt. Meadows in 1857, Bear River in 1863, Squaw Valley in 1865, and the Circleville Massacre in 1866. .

Our objective is to educate people about the tragic war between Mormon colonists and the Timpanogos Tribe that has been ignored and to a large extent covered-up. https://www.facebook.com/groups/UtahBlackHawkWar/ This is a public group.

 

 

03/27/2020

Black Hawk Productions is proud to annouce that our Facebook page the Black Hawk War; Utah's Forgotten History Group has finally begun to take hold. If you have questions or comments about the Utah Black Hawk War our Facebook page is the place to go. Connecting with members of the Timpanogos Tribe living descendants of Arapeen, Wakara, Tabby, Tintic, Mormon pioneers and experts on the Utah Black Hawk War has never been easier. We invite our visitors to join us and become members of our group. In depth conversations, shareing documents, and new discoveries are happening everyday. Please join us on Facebook, its so easy. If you have had a Facebook account for more than 30 days, you are already approved. See you on Facebook!

 

03/25/2020

Mystery Solved!

For many decades people in Utah have believed that this is a photo of a pencil sketch of Antonga Black Hawk. The fact is, it is not! There are no known photos of Antonga Black Hawk. It's always been a mystery where this photo came from and who this Black Hawk is.

This is a photo of a Kiowa Apache man called Black Hawk. This portrait is an Albumen print taken in 1875 by William S. Soule who was the post photographer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. It has been provided by the Smithsonian collection. By clicking on the photo it is linked to the source. Utah's Timpanogos Chief Antonga Black Hawk was buried in Spring Lake, Utah in 1870. This photo has no place what-so-ever in Utah's history. We wish to thank David McLaughlin for this information.

This is typical of the confusion that surrounds Utah's Native American history. We are always striving to help correct this history in a good and honest fashion.

 

03/09/2020

January and March have been busy for us. Phillip's new book My Journey to Understand... Black Hawk's Mission of Peace has been our focus. You may have noticed we have removed all our Goggle ads, and request for donations we have limited to just our contact page. We have continued our efforts to freshen up our website content and improve the functionality. Considerable time has been spent improving site navigation.

Though it's still early to say how the book is doing in sales, all indications are exciting. The reviews have all been 5 stars! We do not sell the book on our website, but we have made it easy to purchase it from the publisher Archway Publishing, Amazon, and Barns & Nobel. They are but three out of any number of online sellers nationally who are offering the book for sale and anyone can order it through their favorite bookstore.

Phillip has undergone cataract surgery and and is doing very well. We wish him a speedy recovery!

 

02/13/2020

NEWS RELEASE!

Historian sheds new light on the Black Hawk War of 1849 to 1873 in new book
Phillip B Gottfredson shares a Timpanogos perspective in ‘My Journey to Understand ... Black Hawk’s Mission of Peace’
PARKER, Ariz. – Phillip B. Gottfredson shares an intimate perspective of the Timpanogos peoples of Utah and the Black Hawk War of 1849 to 1873 in his debut Native American history book titled “My Journey to Understand ... Black Hawk’s Mission of Peace” (published by Archway Publishing).

Some 70,000 Timpanogos Indians — the aboriginal people of Utah — died from violence, starvation, and disease after Mormon colonists stole their land and destroyed their culture over a 21-year timeframe according to the detailed account Gottfredson learned from the Native Americans. Because few people know anything about Timpanogos Indians, who they are, or what they believed in, the author seeks to educate readers about them.

“Native American history is an integral part of this country’s history,” Gottfredson says. “After all is said and done, after the Black Hawk War and all the suffering it caused, I make this one conclusion: It isn’t about the war. It isn’t about religion. It isn’t about owning land and having material wealth. It’s not about power. In the end, it’s about the human condition. There is no such thing as race. Race is man’s invention to create divisions and separations, the building of walls and fences to segregate us from one another, to have power over each other. There is but one race, the human race. It’s about humanity, human equality, aboriginal rights and a sovereign people. It’s about there being one world, one prayer, and one heart. Having compassion toward all our relations.”

About the Author
As a historian Phillip B Gottfredson has spent the past 20 years researching and writing about the Black Hawk War in Utah while living with various Indian tribes throughout North and South America. He was invited to participate in numerous sacred ceremonies and received council from many tribal elders and leaders, which is unusual among today’s historians. Because Gottfredson is personally involved in Native American culture, his account brings an alternate perspective to a war that has historically been examined from the perspective of Mormon colonizers. For his advocacy for the First Nations people of Utah, the Utah State Division of Indian Affairs awarded him the prestigious Indigenous Day Award.

Five Star Review!

In psychological terms, they say you cannot get mentally healthy until you admit the problem, and are willing to look at all your behavior honestly. This book is an honest look at how native peoples have been and still are treated by an encroaching group who believe they have a higher right to do whatever they want to do, regardless of the consequences in human pain and suffering. We have a hard time imagining that our human history is a checkered one. Mr. Gottfredson has done an amazing job of telling this story with passion and honesty. As you follow him through his journey of discovery, you will be captivated by his experiences. And if you are willing to be honest in your feelings and a real student of human history, you will be rewarded with a greater and more profound understanding of the path we would all do well to emulate on our way to psychological wholeness. (and also a real spiritual awakening) As many have said, this book should be a part of every American high school student's study of American history, for if we could be willing to acknowledge our whole history and see the truth, the truth will set us free. Bravo, Sir !
barely ablemann

 

1/20/2020

The book My Journey to Understand... Black Hawk's Mission of Peace by Phillip B Gottfredson has just been released! Published by Archway from Simon and Shuster, is now available for purchase in bookstores and online. Available in all formats, hardcover, softcover, and digital, we have made it easy for you to get your copy today by simply clicking on this link BOOK.

 

1/11/2020

Chief Walker and Colorow update.

It appears Timpanogos Chief Walker is still being confused with Ute Chief Colorow on the internet. "Chief Walkara (c. 1808 – 1855; also known as Wakara, Wahkara, Chief Walker or Colorow) was a Shoshone leader of the Utah Indians known as the Timpanogo..." - Wikipedia. Colorado Ute Chief Colorow died 1888, Timpanogos Chief Wakara died 1855. This article does clarify that Wakara was Chief of the Timpanogos and that Colorow was Chief of the Ute. Definate progress being made and we are very pleased to see it happen.

The name Walker is white man's spelling. Descendants of Timpanogos Chief Walker spell his name Wakara. The earliest account we have found the writer said his name spelled phonetically would be Yah-Keera. Out of respect for his descendants we always use their version Wakara in all our articles.

Another similar mistake is the name "Jake Arapeen." Mary Murdock Meyer who is a direct descendant of Timpanogos Chief Arapeen explained that Jake and Arapeen are two separate people. Jake is the son of Arapeen. Chief Arapeen became the Timpanogos principle leader following Wakara's death in 1855. By 1865 Chief Arapeen made his son Jake the tribes War Chief. And when negotiations fell apart in Manti between John Lowry and Jake, Black Hawk was made War Chief. In that same year of 1865, Arapeen died from smallpox and Tabby became the principal leader of the Timpanogos. Tabby called upon Black Hawk to take the place of Jake.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!

 

12/20/2019

They Just Don't get it!

We reported back in Oct. 2018 (see below) that articles on the internet are confusing Timpanogos Chief Wakara with Colorado Ute Chief Colorow. Have they corrected their mistake? No! They are still doing it! If you Google Chief Walker Colorow" you will see what we mean.

The Ute Nation is comprised of seven distinctly separate Bands all of whom have their roots in Colorado. The Mouche, Capote, Weeminuche, Tabaquache, Grandriver, Uintah and Yampa are the Bands that comprise the Utes. Colorado Ute Chiefs were Chief Ouray who died Aug 24, 1880, Chief Colorow died 1888, and Chief Ignacio died December 9, 1913. There is no record of these Chiefs being in Utah.

Timpanogos Chief Wakara died in 1855 in Utah. Colorado Chief Chief Colorow died 1888 in Colorado.

Chief Wakara, or Walker as the Mormons call him, was the principal leader of the Timpanogos who are Snake-Shoshone. The Timpanogos were first discovered by Spanish explorer Juan Revera in 1765, and later Dominguez and Escalante in 1776. They describe in their journals having met "the bearded ones" or Eutahs who spoke Shoshone. "Turunianchi the Great" was the leader of the Timpanogostzis, and Cuitza-pun-inchi, Pan-chu-cun-quibiran, and Picu-chi were his brothers. Turunianchi had a son named Moonch. Moonch was the father of Chiefs Sanpitch, Yah-Keera (Walker), Arapeen (father of Jake Arapeen), Tabby, Ammon, Sowiette, and Grospeen who were known as the "Royal Bloodline." Six of the seven brothers were the uncles of Antonga (Black Hawk) who was the son of Sanpitch.

We also published to the internet September 2018 that the Timpanogos are Snake-Shoshone and are not related to the Colorado Utes. We posted documentation making it clear that the Colorado Utes were not in Utah until 1881 and where not the principle Tribe Mormon colonists encountered when they came to Utah in 1847, rather it was the Timpanogos Nation. Thus far the facts we have presented have not been disputed, and we have seen many websites correct their stories, but the majority have not. We believe there are several reasons most have not. The documentation we have provided testifies to the fact that Utah's history of the First Nations people is seriously flawed and must be corrected. It appears people would rather believe in lies than embrace the truth. We stand by our documentation and believe it will stand the test of time and hopeful that eventually Utah historians will honor the truth regardless of any unintended consequences it may have.

10/30/2019

Phillip B Gottfredson's new book My journey to Understand BLACK HAWK'S MISSION OF PEACE is being published by Archway Publishers from Simon and Schuster and is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2020. Taking 20 years to research and write, Black Hawk's Mission of Peace is a powerful and compelling story of Mr. Gottfredson's extraordinary quest to find the truth regarding the Black Hawk War in Utah while living with Native American people of Utah and throughout the western United States.

Noted Utah artist Carol Pettit Harding was commissioned by Mr. Gottfredson to not only illustrate the book, but Carol felt personally compelled to do a forensic reconstruction of Timpanogos leader Black Hawk. There being no known photos of the notorious leader, Carol devoted to the project spent nearly two months bringing Black Hawk to life at her studio in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Working from a historic photo taken in 1919 when Black Hawk's grave was robbed, the photo of the grave-robber is seen holding the skull of Black Hawk in his hand. The photo was enlarged revealing the details of his skull, and from this enhancement Carol was able to masterfully reconstruct his features.

Carol Harding's reconstruction of Black Hawk is just one of many features of Mr. Gottfredson's book. Phillip introduces to the reader the Timpanogos Nation and the first to do so, according to Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Tribe Mary Murdock Meyer. Phillip is the first to have been given access to the tribe's extensive historical records, some thirteen thousand pages filled with the Department of The Interior proving the Timpanogos Nation's peoples were are the original inhabitants of Utah. Mr. Gottfredson gives a detailed account of the Timpanogos from when Spanish explorers Dominguez and Escalante discovered them in 1765, to their personal account of the Black Hawk War, and how the tragedy of the war continues to play out in their lives to present day.

But the book is more than just the history of the war. The book chronicles the 20 years Phillip spent living with the First Nations peoples learning of their religious beliefs and life-ways that Phillip describes as "life changing" as he eventually embraces Native ways as his own. Phillip describes; "Everywhere I went, the message was the same — we are all related having come from the same common source, Mother Earth. All who spoke to me told of the seven sacred teachings: Honesty, Love, Courage, Truth, Wisdom, Humility, and Respect. I traveled north, south, east, and west, and I never found one person I did not like. I never found a single “savage” among them."

10/27/2019

We have been on the internet since 2002 and we have conducted many experiments over time. Bottom line is it's great content that attracts visitors and keeps them coming back. We have always strove to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date information on the Black Hawk War in Utah. Even when we have at times wrong we have quickly corrected our mistakes as we are dedicated to the truth. Reporting the truth has not always been kind us.

For example, four years ago when we introduced the Timpanogos Tribe for the first time, and claiming the Utes weren't even in Utah during the time of the Black Hawk War and couldn't have been involved, our traffic plummeted. Though we had the hard facts to back our claim, we lost a good number of followers. Still in spite of the numbers we have persisted in our claim to be true. And recent statistics show our numbers are slowly returning to where they were before we broke the news. However, we realize there are those who have written books ignoring these facts intentionally or unintentionally, they we expect, will fight us and make every effort to discredit our findings to serve their own interests. Fair enough, but we will stand by what we believe to be true until proven otherwise. Four years have gone by and no one has challenged us.

We value and respect all who visit our website. We are aware of the responsibility we have not only to those whose stories we tell, but also to our visitors, and we will always honor that in a good way.

10/12/2019

Great news! The book project is moving along and it looks like it will be released in the spring of 2020. It has moved through the copyright phase into the design phase now. Soon it will go to the printing press.

An important step in the process was getting the Timpanogos Nation to give their blessing on the book. Author: Phillip B Gottfredson made two trips to the Uinta Valley Reservation up in north-eastern Utah to spend time with the Timpanogos during the summer. Mary Murdock Meyer who is the Chief Executive of the Tribe read the manuscript twice. Phillip then made changes to the story line according to Mary's suggestions ensuring that the Tribe is accurately portrayed. The collaboration between Mary and Phillip is what makes this account unique among all others.

Those who have read the book are deeply moved and become very emotional saying "it is a story that has to be told. Phillip is was very inspired when he wrote this. The twenty years he spent living with Native Americans is in itself amazing, his spiritual experiences he had with the Native people are extraordinary to read about."

We are excited about Phillip book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace. We will be announcing the release date soon.

9/16/2019

Full funding for the book "Black Hawk's Mission of Peace" by Author/Historian Phillip B Gottfredson has been raised. Thanks to several donors from around the United States who by their generosity and extraordinary kindness we are able to meet our obligation to have the book published. The exact release date of the book has not yet been determined. But we are hopeful it will be before years end.

We are very grateful for the tremendous support from many people who have helped us achieve our goal.

8/30/2019

Author and Historian and founder of this website Phillip B Gottfredson just signed a book deal with Simon and Schuster/Archway!

7/27/2019

My Journey To Understanding,,, BLACK HAWK'S MISSION OF PEACE

We are proud to announce that historian Phillip B Gottfredson has completed his Black Hawk's Mission of peace that has been twenty years in the making. The book is now ready to published.

Phillip recently visited the Timpanogos Nation and spoke with Chief Executive Mary Murdock Meyer, who you may know is a direct descendant of Chief Arapeen. Mary read the manuscript and told Phillip she was pleased with the book, and gave Phillip her blessings to have it published. Mary and her brother Perry also gave him a few more personal stories to add to his book, and made some minor changes to the manuscript. Some technical changes at it pertains to Treaties. This is significant as no writers in the past have cared enough to get permission or opinions from the Native people they are writing about.

Publishing a book is expensive. Mr. Gottfredson has set up a Go Fund Me account in hopes of raising $3800 needed to pay for the cost of publication. "I want this to be a nice book, one that the Tribe can give their children and their children for generations to come" said Phillip.

Mr. Gottfredson's goal is to have the book published and on the market in a couple months. If you would like to contribute you can make a donation through Pay Pal by clicking on the 'Donate" button above, or if you prefer please visit our GoFundMe account.

 

7/15/2019

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!

It is important to make a donation in support of Historian Phillip B Gottfredson's ongoing research which helps to keep the Black Hawk War Project going. And so it is also important to thank all those who have donated, we deeply appreciate your generosity!

More good news! Mr. Gottfredson has just completed his book titled "Black Hawk's Mission of Peace" that has been over twenty years in the making. An official announcement will be made soon regarding the book's release, but we are so excited we couldn't wait to let our followers know. While it's still in manuscript form at this time, there is some work to be done before it will be ready for publishing. But, those who have had the privilege of reading some of the manuscript have already placed their orders. Mr. Gottfredson's book chronicles his 20 years of research on the Black Hawk War while living with the descendants of Timpanogos Chiefs Walker (Wakara) Arapeen, Tabby, and Black Hawk, and various Native American Tribes throughout North America. He describes his extraordinary spiritual journey among the Native people as being "forever life changing" filled with intrigue and mystery.

Our official announcement to be made soon!

1/13/2019

2018 was a banner year for The Black Hawk War; Utah's Native American history website. We spent hundreds of hours improving the performance side of things, and the results have been staggering. Google reported our visits have increased as much as 1600% over the previous year! That means we are reaching a much broader audience.

Moreover, Mr. Gottfredson added a lot of new material and spent considerable time rewriting old material. Our content is more accurate and in-depth than before. Our addition of the Black Hawk War Timeline page has been a great hit with our followers who are students, teachers, and historians, enabling greater access to all the material we have accumulated over the past 20 years of research.

More importantly we have been consistent in our primary goal being to educate people about the Black Hawk War in Utah from the perspective of Utah's Native American peoples who were most affected by this monumental tragedy in American history. We have through our efforts corrected key aspects of Utah's Black Hawk War history and are seeing other related websites following suit. One example is Wikipedia where we have seen significant changes, most important is the Timpanogos Nation. When we introduced the Timpanogos as having played a major role in Utah's Black Hawk War there was much skepticism among our followers. Because we backed our claim with documentation provided by Mary Murdock Meyer Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation our claim stood strong against opposing points of view. We are confident our work will continue to stand the test of time and bring a much needed and unique perspective to Utah's history.

We are looking forward to another great year, and a sincere THANK YOU to all our loyal fans!

Update 10/22/2018 It appears Google has heard our complaint and corrected Colorow's photo being labeled as Walker.

Colorow's photo here I have seen many times and in numerous articles mislabeled as Timpanogos Chief Walker or Walkara. This is an insult to both the Timpanogos Nation and to the Ute Nation. Historians also refer to Chief Colorow as Ute, when in fact he was Comanche. He was captured by the Mouche of the Southern Utes, and raised from childhood by the Mouche, Capote, and Tabaquache of the Colorado Ute peoples. Though he was born a Comanche, he lived his life as a Colorado Ute, and eventually became their leader. Colorow never came to Utah, and the Comanche is a branch of the Shoshone. So, Colorow was born a shoshonee and raised as a Southern Ute. He was the Chief of the Ute Mountain Utes and is buried in Ignacio, Colorado. Colorado Ute Chiefs were Ouray who died Aug 24, 1880, Colorow died 1888, and Chief Ignacio died December 9, 1913. The Timpanogos are Snake-Shoshone and indigenous to Utah, but no relation to the Utes. Walkara was a leader of the Timpanogos who died in 1855 in Utah. Visit: Timpanogos Nation * Ute Tribe * Ute Mountain Utes *

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Research Notice 10/22/2018:

"Uintah Ouray Reservation" Nonexistent

How many times have you heard TV, Radio, Newspapers, and even court documents say or use the term "Uintah Ouray Reservation?" Well, did you know the fact is the Uintah Ouray Reservation is non exist ant.

"The Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation" is only a constitutional name NOT A RESERVATION and never was a reservation." Black Hawk Productions has recently added a new page to it's website titled "Utah's Timpanogos Are Snake-shoshonee; No relation to Utes." And on this page Black Hawk War Historian Phillip B Gottfredson talks about the Uintah Ouray Reservation as never being ratified by Congress and therefore does not exist. The following is an excerpt from that page.

"The Northern Ute Tribe of Utah is a federally recognized Tribe. The "NORTHERN UTE TRIBE" wasn't created until 1937, under the constitutional name "Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation". The "Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation" is only a constitutional name NOT A RESERVATION and never was a reservation. Congress is the only one that can create a reservation, and there is no congressional act that created any reservation called the " Uintah & Ouray Reservation." The Northern Ute Tribe lives on the Uintah Valley Reservation as does the Timpanogos Tribe.

The Executive Order signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1861 that created the Uintah Valley Reservation does not make any mention of the "Uintah Ouray Reservation" and/or make any reference to the "Utes" or Ute Indians of Colorado or "Confederated Utes of Colorado" what-so-ever. What President Abe Lincoln said was "that the Uintah Valley, in the Territory of Utah, be set apart and reserved for the use and occupancy of Indian Tribes of Utah." Signed by The President Abraham Lincoln Executive Office Oct. 3, 1861, with the Presidents words "Let the reservation be established, as recommended by the Secretary of the Interior." It was then enacted into law on May 5, 1864, by Act of Congress.

In 1886 then-President Chester Arthur by Executive Mansion (same as Executive Order) designated a small strip of land on the Uintah Valley Reservation for the "temporary" use by the Colorado Utes at the Uintah and Ouray Agency to graze their cattle, which is today known as Ouray. President Arthur's Executive Mansion order did not abrogate or diminish the Uintah Valley Reservation. And in a recent 10th District Court ruling July 2017, the court said that the Uintah Valley reservation has never been abrogated or diminished and remains intact."

Why the Uintah Valley Reservation is being called the Uintah Ouray Reservation remains a mystery. Learn more at Utah's Timpanogos Are Snake-shoshonee; No relation to Utes.

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Update:

Timpanogos Tribe of Utah On The Internet

By Phillip B Gottfredson - 09/2018

Efforts to help correct Utah's inaccurate Native American history and bring attention to the Timpanogos Nation has begun to take hold on the internet.

Until four years ago, like most people I believed the Black Hawk War was between the Ute Nation and the Mormons. All the histories written said so. Why would we believe any different? That was until four years ago when I got a call from the Timpanogos Tribe's Chief Executive Mary Murdock Meyer. Mary respectfully informed me she was intrigued by my website and with all the research I have done. “I have been trying to get a hold of you..” she said, “to tell you that you have the wrong Tribe.”

Needless to say, I went into my defensive mode, after all I had invested more than a decade researching the Black Hawk War, “what do you mean I have the wrong Tribe” I responded. “Haven't you ever heard of the Timpanogos” Mary asked? Puzzled I said, “well... yes, maybe, aren't they Ute?” During that phone conversation Mary Murdock Meyer said enough to convince me it was probably a good idea I speak with her in person.

We met at a mutual friends home in Salt Lake, and what was supposed to be a hour meeting turned into four years and one of the greatest highlights in my life. As Mary has patiently educated me on a little known Tribe that history has marginalized. Or, to put it more succinctly, the Mormon church and it's historians have buried under a mountain of half-truths, ambiguities, platitudes, and omissions.

Upon getting acquainted with the Timpanogos peoples, the first thing I offered them was that I wanted to build them a website free of charge. It took a month to build it, and we launched Timpanogostribe.com in July of 2014. Since then we have watched it propagate the internet with surprising results. In 2014 a search for 'Timpanogos Indians' would result in hundreds of pages regarding Mount Timpanogos, and everything else associated with Mount Timpanogos, except the Tribe, from whom the mountain gets it's name. That has changed, and the Timpanogos Tribe of a thousand people, finally have a voice.

Of coarse I had to rewrite all 83 pages of my website replacing the word 'Ute' with Timpanogos. And now with two websites on the internet about the Timpanogos, we are seeing the name 'Timpanogos' everywhere. Not only that, many other sites we see are correcting their stories about the Black Hawk War and also replacing 'Ute' with... you guessed it, the Timpanogos Tribe!

Just a few days ago the Tribe updated their news page, and you should take a look at . And while you're there take a look around at their history etc., if you haven't already.

In closing I just want to say, for the past four years I have been spending all my summers with Mary and her people here on the Uinta Valley Reservation. Same as my great-grandfather did. He spent much of his time living with the Timpanogos and during the Black Hawk War. And now I understand why he too loved being with them.

Dedication of the Circleville Massacre Memorial

Dedication of the Circleville Massacre Memorial I would describe as being a fair and accurate depiction of the tragic event of 1866 when 27 Paiute Koosharem men women and children were brutally murdered. Approximately 25 members of the Paiute tribe were present at the dedication along with some 40 or so people comprised of historians from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, along with towns folk and the press. I was there along with Mary Murdock Meyer Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation, and a direct descendents of Chiefs Arapeen, Walkara, and Tabby. The ceremony lasted about an hour. And following the ceremony there was talk among the Paiute and historians of locating the burial place of the Massacre victims and a possible repatriation of their remains to bring closure to those whose ancestors were involved in the atrocity. (See: Circleville Massacre)

 

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