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The Corps of Discovery and the Teton Sioux

The Corps of Discovery and the Teton Sioux

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There are two sides to every story. That's especially true when Lewis and Clark met the Teton Sioux. Their 1804 journey through South Dakota wasn't just about exploration — it was where two worlds met along the Missouri River. Long before the Corps of Discovery arrived, Boyd Gourneau, chairman of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, says his ancestors and other Indigenous tribes had already built full lives here, rooted in storytelling and protecting the land. When Lewis and Clark reached Fort Pierre, they encountered the Teton Sioux at Fischers Lilly Park — a meeting that began in ceremony and curiosity but soon turned uneasy as trust gave way to tension.

In this episode, host Brian Thacker sits down with guests to revisit that moment through both Native and explorer eyes, revealing how hope, pride and misunderstanding shaped one of America's most powerful early encounters.

You'll hear from:

  • Boyd Gourneau, chairman of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
  • Jay Vogt, retired director of the South Dakota State Historical Society

Recorded on-location, this audio adventure is designed to let you feel what it's like to be there for real.

Find out more at www.travelsouthdakota.com for ideas, inspiration, and eveything else you'll need to plan your great South Dakota adventure.

Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

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