"This book offers more than history... it's masterful storytelling."
My Journey to Understand ... Black Hawk's Mission of Peace grabbed me! The way you understand the Black Hawk War will change with Phillip B Gottfredson's detailed account. He uncovers the resilience and humanity of Timpanogos leader Black Hawk, who sought peace even in the face of devastation. This book offers more than history—it’s a powerful reflection on forgiveness, equality, and the sacred connection between humanity and the Earth. — that’s masterful storytelling. -James Timothy
The terms “heathens,” “infidels,” and “savages” are rooted in a historical narrative designed to dehumanize Indigenous Peoples, providing a false justification for the seizure of their land, the erosion of their ways of life, and the undermining of their identities, well-being, and very existence across North and South America. Today, these vibrant communities continue to grapple with the enduring impacts of settler colonization, as well as the relentless regulations and laws that seek to compel them to conform to European cultures. Their resilience in the face of such challenges is a testament to their strength and dignity. -Phillip B Gottfredson
1493 The Doctrine of Discovery"Indian nations are being denied their most basic rights because, at the time of Christendom's arrival in the Americas, Indigenous people did not believe in the God of the Bible, and that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah. Therefore, the Papals of Rome declared they are "heathens, infidels, and savages," and have no rights to land.
VIDEO: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery: by Steve Newcomb Published on Feb. 2, 2016, Steven Newcomb, Author of "Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery" addresses the Spotlight of Indigenous Peoples plenary at the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah.
1830 Indian Removal Act was signed into law by Andrew Jackson on May 28, 1830. Its purpose to remove all Native peoples east of the Mississippi to the western regions of the Mississippi. Virtually the entire Native population in the southeastern section of the United States were forced to relocate to the west known as "The Trail of Tears." It gave birth to Settler Colonialism.
1831 Letters of Ezra Booth: Mormonism Though their plans had hitherto failed, they were unwilling to abandon
the Indian enterprize; and in a commandment it was stated, that Cowdery
and others should receive a written recommendation, signed by the
Elders, for the purpose of presenting it to the Indian agent, in order
to obtain permission from him, to visit the Indians in their
settlements.
1832 Manifest Destiny The 1832 Supreme Court declared the Indian Removal Act unconstitutional, but the damage already caused to First Nations was irreversible. In time, the Doctrine of Discovery would become Manifest Destiny to empower Settler-Colonialism. "With a bible in one hand, and a gun in the other they came to save the heathans from hell... and get rich."
1847 Mormon Colonists Enter Utah Territory
Home of the Timpanogos Nation
Mormon colonists, led by Brigham Young and a party of 130 LDS members, peacefully entered the Wasatch Front of the Great Basin on July 24, 1847. The Timpanogos Nation, indigenous to the Great Basin, were camped at nearby hot springs. Kanosh, Tabby, Washakie, Little Wolf, Wanship, Little Chief, Kone, Blue Shirt, Old Elk (Moonch), Opecarry, Old Battiest, Tintic, Portservic, Sowiette, Angatewats, Petnick, Walkara, Graspero, Niequia, and Antero. The Timpanogos were the first Tribe Brigham encountered in the Great Basin. They coexisted harmoniously with the newcomers, helping them through the first winter. "There wasn't a Indian problem in Utah Territory until the Mormons came, then there was a Mormon problem."
The Timpanogos Nation is not Ute Phillip B Gottfredson explains that the Timpanogos Nation and the Ute Nation are distinctly different Tribes with different origins, bloodlines, and customs. The Timpanogos Nation is Snake-shoshone and was never part of the Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation. The Utes did not live in Utah Territory until 1881 when Congress forced them onto the Uintah Valley Reservation.
1776 - 1873 Timpanogos Nation Biography: The Black Hawk War , is a detailed synopsis of historical events in Utah beginning in 1776 and the Dominguez and Escalante expedition, the arrival of Mormon colonists in 1847, which led to the Mormon's Black Hawk War starting in 1849, and the forced removal of the Timpanogos Nation to the Uinta Valley Reservation in 1873.
Extermination of the Timpanogos Nation Begins
1849 The Murder of Old Bishop Richard A. Ivie, Y. Rufus Stoddard, and Gerome Zabriskie murdered an Indian called Old Bishop at Fort Utah.
1850 Timpanogos Chief Moonch aka Old Elk, was mortally wounded at the Fort Utah massacre in 1850, and hundred more Timpanogos were murdered and decapitated.
"The requirement for ownership of Indian slaves was only having to be in possession of one. Utah is unique in that it had an active enslavement of both Africans and Indians." (Wikipedia)
1853 The Walker War Living descendants of Timpanogos Chief Wakara talk about their ancestor in a discussion with Phillip B Gottfredson. They explain "Wakara is misrepresented in Mormon history."
1856 Salt Creek Massacre During the Utah Black Hawk War, on June 4th 1856. Jens Terklesen and wife Christian E. Kjerluf were massacred by
Indians in Salt Creek Canyon while
traveling unarmed on their way to Sanpete Valley.
1858 Chicken Creek On October 15th, 1858, the remains of and Samuel Brown, of Fillmore, Millard County, were found is a state of decomposition near Chicken Creek bridge, Juab County.
1858 Johstons Army Arrives Brigham Young orders Lot Smith to burn US Goverment Army's wagons, take all their supplies, and cattle.
1865 INDIANS GO ON THE WAR PATH On the 9th of April, a treaty with the Indians was arranged for at Manti, in Sanpete County. Some horses and cattle had been stolen by the Indians.
1865 Grass Valley Massacre The soldiers then surrounded the camp and opened fire on them, killing women, men, and children.
1866 Jun 26 Spanish Fork Diamond Creek Battle Because there are conflicting historical accounts regarding the Diamond Creek Battle, historian Phillip B Gottfredson spent considerable time researching on site where the battle took place to bring clarity to this important event.
1866 Aug The Old Peace Treaty Tree A tribute to Ephraim, Utah preserving the old Peace Treaty Tree. Also, Benjamin Johnson and his Timpanogos friend Guffic.
1866 Chief Sowiette Sowiette was the eldest of the brothers. When the Mormons came to Utah in 1847, Sowiette admonished his brothers not to fight the Mormons.
Black Hawk's Mission Of Peace Begins
1867 Black Hawk meets with Indian agent Franklin Taking upon himself the agony of his people, Black Hawk handed Franklin his knife and would ask him to cut off his hair to symbolically demonstrate his sincerity in wanting peace.
1867 Black Hawk Meets With Chief Tabby August 17th, Black Hawk met with his uncle Chief Tabby, who had made preparations to join his warriors with Black Hawk's men.
1868 INDIAN GRATITUDE On their return they came across the sick Indian sitting up against a tree smoking a pipe. The men still wanted to kill him, but father wouldn't let them.
*1870 The Burial of Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk had come full circle when, on September 26, 1870, at the age of 35, the Chief's loving kin honorably laid him to rest on a hillside overlooking Spring Lake above Payson, Utah, the place of his birth.
1873 MEMORIAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF UTAH "Memorial of the Legislative Assembly of Utah" was prepared by the Legislature of Utah in 1873 and sent to the United States Congress. It is a bill asking Congress for reimbursement of over one-million dollars in expenses incurred by Brigham Young's private militia and the Nauvoo Legion, to exterminate the Indigenous population in Utah.
The Utah Black Hawk War - Post War Period
Congressional Acts designed to diminish tribal lands, or reservations, the Dawes Allotment Act, the Reorganization Act, the Termination Act, the Self Determination Act, and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
1937 The Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray agency federally recognized Why is there confusion about the Timpanogos Nation being mistaken for the Ute Tribe when they are distinctly different tribes with unique origins, bloodlines, and customs? The answer is that much of Utah's Indigenous history is more about plausible deniability than factual accuracy. Historically, the Timpanogos Nation is part of the Snake-Shoshone and has never been affiliated with the Ute Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation.
*1996 Repatriation Of Chief Black Hawk's Remains 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.
UTAH BLACK HAWK WARFACTS Interesting facts about the Black Hawk War of Utah and the Timpanogos Indians from 1847 to 1873 from Phillip B Gottfredson's research journal.
Native American Protocols and Ethics When I was invited to live with a Shoshone family
one of the first things I was taught was Native American protocols.
Aknowledgements; The Black Hawk War Project began over 27 years ago, by Phillip and David Gottfredson. Their objective to bring an accurate and balanced account of the Mormon Black Hawk War in Utah.
Heart of Mayan Country Phillip B Gottfredson's journey to San Pedro Guatamala in 2012 to research the historical, and spiritual connection between North and South American Indigenous peoples, and to witness the end of the world?!
Truth In Education True First Nation history needs to be included in Utah's school curriculum, but its not...why?
RUSSEL MEANS "For America to Live, Europe Must Die"
Gold, God, and Glory Native people in Utah suffer from generational trauma because of Mormon settler colonization.
The Silent Victims of the Utah Black Hawk War Recently, decedents whose ancestors led in some of the massacres in the Utah Black Hawk War have contacted me, and I feel it necessary to share their perspectives of the Black Hawk War.
James Leonard Pritchett, a great-grandson of Chief Tabby of the Timpanogos Nation of Utah. Timpanogos Chief Tabby's name was not Tabby-To-Kwanah, or Tabiuna, and he was not Chief of the Uintah and Whiteriver Utes. All you need to do is ask Tabby's descendant- James Pritchett.
We Can Forgive But Never Forget We assume that the Native peoples have since been given every opportunity to succeed, that "it's their own damn fault," as some say. Tell a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.
LDS Admit to Mountain Meadows Massacre In an article that appeared in the church's Ensign magazine, church historian Richard E. Turley gives what is said to be the church's official account of the Massacre.
~BOOKS, VIDEOS & PODCASTS~
Phillip B Gottfredson Author & Historian
My Journey to Understand... Black Hawk's Mission of Peace After two decades of research, Gottfredson published *Black Hawk's Mission of Peace*, offering a unique perspective on Native Americans and the Utah Black Hawk War by emphasizing Indigenous viewpoints. He explains why "Native American culture is a perfect example of total spirituality without religion."
Phillip B Gottfredson Biography Phillip B. Gottfredson is a rarity among historians today; he is a certified Conservator of Fine Art, retired, the author of My Journey to Understand Black Hawk's Mission of Peace, and a historian for the Timpanogos Nation in Utah.
Phillip B Gottfredson's Books & Videos purchase from a list of more than 50 books & Videos(nonfiction) for historians, educators, students, and history enthusiasts.
Tribute to an old friend Certain people come along at certain times and greatly influence the trajectory of our lives. (Unrelated to the Black Hawk War)
**The following video & Podcast collection has been assembled to help further our understanding of the Native American perspective of the Black Hawk War in Utah.
Radio Free Mormon Phillip B Gottfredson and Chief Executive of the Timpanmogos Natin Mary Meyer discuss the Mormon Black Hawk War in Utah.
Sunstone.org Utah Black Hawk War Podcast with Phillip B Gottfredson & Lindsay Hansen Park Join Lindsay as she sits down with Phillip B. Gottfredson to delve into one of the most significant yet often overlooked chapters in Utah’s history—the Black Hawk War of 1865. In this gripping conversation, they explore the complex and brutal conflict that erupted between Mormon settlers and Native American tribes, led by the Timpanogos war Chief Antonga Black Hawk.
PODCAST Mary Murdock Meyer Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation, and Phillip B Gottfredson live podacst with host Jay Winter Nightwolf in a candid conversation about the Timpanogos Nation and the Black Hawk War of Utah.
Peter Gottfredson's Indian Depredations In Utah Much of the material found on this website comes from Peter Gottfredson who lived with the Timpanogos during the Black Hawk War, and a friend of Timpanogos Chief Black Hawk. Peter is a great-grandfather of Phillip B Gottfredson.
AUGUST, 1871 PIOCHE BURNS In August, 1871 the town Pioche burned. It was caused by a lantern falling on a porch of a boarding house kept by two women. The wind was blowing and it got too much of a start before it was noticed. Nearly the whole town burned and there was no hay left in town.
EXCERPTS from Peter Gottfredson his book Indian Depredations in Utah, which is one of the oldest firsthand accounts of the Black Hawk War in Utah. He describes the wars between Mormon settlers and the Indians of Utah that occured between the years 1847 to 1872.
My Journey to Understand... Black Hawk's Mission of Peace