The Black Hawk War Project began over 27 years ago, in 1998, by Phillip and David Gottfredson, brothers, and has continued to the present day. Their objective was to bring a more accurate and balanced account of the Mormon Black Hawk War in Utah between 1848 and 1873. This commitment to balance and accuracy is a cornerstone of the project, ensuring its integrity and objectivity.

Following in the footsteps of their great-grandfather Peter Gottfredson, a migrant from Denmark, who lived among the Timpanogos people during the Black Hawk War, and was a friend of Chief Black Hawk, they were about the same age, early teens. Phillip and David lived with Indigenous people to learn their history and lifestyles. Inspired by Peter Gottfredson's firsthand account of the Black Hawk War, wherein he mentioned Black Hawk's peace mission, the brothers set out to understand who Black Hawk was. It became a much bigger story than the brothers could have anticipated. It drew the enthusiastic support of both Native and non-Native people across North and South America.

We are forever grateful to the Indigenous people who invited us into their culture and patiently helped us in our quest for truth. We are also grateful to our many friends, institutions, and organizations who helped us along the way financially. But it was never about money or recognition. David passed over into the spirit world in 2015. Phillip promised his brother he would continue with the project, which he did.

In 2019, Phillip's longtime friend Carol Pettit Harding, encouraged him to write a book about his expierences, which he did in collaboration with the Timpanogos Tribe who he had developed a close friendship with titled My Journey To Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace. Since it's publication it has consistantly recieved five-star reviews gaining popularity not only with younger generations also among academics.

When my dear brother David and I began our quest in 1998, there was no way we could have guessed where our journey would take us. We sold everything we had to finance our project, house, furniture, and belongings. We paid off all of the bills to be free of any obligations. With two cars, two dogs, a hope and a prayer, we headed for Oregon to live with a Shoshoni family where we began our quest to learn what it means to be American Indian, said Phillip. It was the best years of our lives, thanks to all those who helped us. Phillip wrote, "When I asked the Native Elders what I could do to pay them back for all their help, they said nothing. All we ask of you is that you teach your people what we have taught you with honesty. They will listen to you because you are white."

Artist Carol Pettit Harding - 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.

 

 

 

 

As the artist that created the art for the cover of Phillip B Gottfredson's book Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, I will tell you a few things about my background. My home and studio are located in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Where the noted Battle Creek Canyon Massacre was fought.

I have been inspired to create several Native American themes, landscape, portrait, still life, and sculpture throughout my 80-year career.

I met Mr. Gottfredson when he opened a new frame-shop in Provo, Ut. five decades ago. For many years he handcrafted beautiful frames to enhance my art work. When he moved on I didn't hear from him for about 20 years later, when he came to visit. I had tons of questions I wanted to ask him. Then I learned about the fantastic journey he had taken, the book he had researched and was writing.

 The history of the great Timpanogos Nation that Phillip shared with me took on a life and spirit of its own. As Phillip spoke of the extraordinary life of Black Hawk, I felt a deep and spiritual calling for me. This great warrior's story overwhelmed me with compassion and understanding as one being lifted up (transformed) for a once-in-a-lifetime assignment. 

I felt such a powerful spiritual experience to get involved in this; it completely changed my life. Black Hawk's intense energy stayed with Phillip and me until the book was completed. You may ask, "is his spirit still with us?" Answer: "More than ever." 

Donors:

The Deloris Dori Eccles Foundation, Utah State Division of Indian Affairs, Timpanogos Nation, Carol Pettit Harding, Kenneth Cox, Anonymous, Rustin Bonner, Beverly Wood, Gary Lee Price, Kirsten Barksdale, Sherri Burnham, Ed Condor, Jared Warburton, Marcus Hadley, Wade Bishoff, John Perry Christensen, Curtis Joyce, Dave & Millie Long, Jerry & Lucey Hansen, Marcelino Tobango, Bill Payzant, Boyd Hill, Cynthia & Gary Johnson, Jack Lott, Lexie Ostler, Joe Ostler, Ron Staker, Mary Murdock Meyer, Perry Murdock, Corey Murdock, Ann Cutler, Bart Weinstein, Ron Hill Imagry, Boyd Hill, Alex Nibbly, Silvia Cornpeach, Loya Arrum, Marva Loy Eggett, Norma Vance, Dr. Ken Molen, Joann Eveland, Ron Staker, Cory Murdock, Jörge Stienwender,

 

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