Gratitude and respect to renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price who has created a beautiful bronze sculpture of Timpanogos Chief Wakara, as seen in the above photo with Timpanogos Executive Chief Mary Meyer Murdock who couldn't be more proud of the recognition of her relative Chief Wakara.
Living descendants of Timpanogos Chief Wakara shed light on their ancestors in an interview with author Phillip B Gottfredson. They revealed that historians have depicted Wakara and the Timpanogos Nation inaccurately throughout Utah history.
It's important to understand that the Walker War in 1853 was a direct result of the massacres at Battle Creek Canyon and Fort Utah. In 1850, LDS Church leader Brigham Young commanded the Nauvoo Legion to "Exterminate" the Timpanogos Nation. Chief Wakara's relatives were brutally attacked by Brigham's militia, igniting unparalleled trauma for the Timpanogos and leading to 24 years of ongoing conflict, known as Utah's Black Hawk War.
Timpanogos Chief Wakara
Autobiography
Pana-carre-quinker, aka Wakara, was the principal leader of the Timpanogos Nation during the 1850s. Wakara was born in c1808 near the Spanish Fork River in Utah. This area had long been the home of his family and kin, located in the central region of Utah. The Timpanogos Nation are Snake-Shoshone. The Snakes are an ancient band of the Shoshone. See The Timpanogos Nation Is Snake-Shoshone
The name 'Wakara' in shoshonee means Hawk. Wakara would learn the necessary hunting skills, horsemanship, and leadership from the time he was a child. His people chose him as their Chief to carry on his family's long legacy of legendary leaders. He was one of seven sons of Moonch. Sanpitch, Wakara, Arapeen, Tabby, Ammon, Sowiette, and Grospeen were all siblings, and Moonch was the son of Turunianchi. Moonch was also known to Mormon settlers as Old Elk and Big Elk.
Wakara's ability to speak Spanish and English was not just a skill but a necessity for the tribes' enterprise of trading in furs, horses, silver, jewelry, and tanned leather goods. This practical skill allowed them to maintain their long-established trade route from the Columbia River to the Gulf of Mexico, dating back to the mid-1700s.
When the Mormon Church baptized Wakara, Bishop Joseph Walker baptized him, giving him the name 'Joseph Walker'. Mormons knew him as Chief Walker and Joe Walker. Wakara's name has different spellings depending on which White man's account you read, such as Walker and Walkah.
He understood that his first responsibility was to the Tribe, its security and well-being, and cultural integrity. When Wakara had to choose between his people and the LDS Church, he remained true to his Tribe as their leader. While this decision meant his membership in the Church was short-lived, it also brought about a deeper understanding of the complexities of Tribal leadership and respect for the sacrifices it often demands.
However, according to his living descendants on the Uintah Valley Reservation, they prefer Wakara. He was never a member of the Ute Bands or Tribes of Colorado. Wakara spoke the language of the Snake-shoshonee.
When decisions were made that affected the Tribe, everyone had to be in mutual agreement before taking any action. It was the honorable way to live. Within the communities, each family took on particular roles; for example, medicine people, warriors, weavers, hunters, gatherers, etc., were the responsibility of individual families respectfully. The old and wise elders had the most significant influence in the community because they earned their feathers. They were the spokespersons, teachers, and keepers of wisdom. From childhood, Wakara's family meticulously groomed him to become a great leader, ensuring the continuity of the Tribe's values, a tradition that was deeply ingrained in the community.
In several accounts, he has been described as over six feet in height, a large man. Peter Gottfredson described him as, "...one of the shrewdest of men. He was a natural man; read from natures books."
"He was loved and respected by his people," said Mary Meyer, a direct descendent of Arapeen, a brother of Wakara. "He took care of his people. He was patient and kind, but he was not a person to be pushed around."
Stories of Child Slavery
There are some round-the-bend bizarre stories that Mormons talk about that are not factual. I ask a fair question: when writing about other people's families, wouldn't it be fair to ask for permission? It is a gross misrepresentation that Mormon historians make when they say Wakara stole children from other tribes and enslaved them and not verify the claim with the family? Or that he and his men would raid Paiute bands and take women and children prisoner. Or that he sold the enslaved people to Spanish or Mexican traders and explorers, who would take them back to New Mexico to work in the mines or as domestic servants. In return, Wakara would get guns, ammunition, and other goods. He allegedly sold children to the Mormon settlers, threatening to kill the children if he couldn't sell them. These are slanderous accusations not only of Chief Wakara but of the Timpanogos Nation of Utah. It's high time we reevaluate these historical narratives and give voice to the Timpanogos perspective.
The Timpanogos have never been allowed to tell their side of the story, have they? Moreover, how many Utah historians have cared enough to ask the Timpanogos for their opinion, or if they have a different version of the stories being told about them? The answer is, "NONE." The Tribe has told me more than once that it is absurd to think Wakara would do such a thing. as steal children and sell them as slaves. "Our ancestors loved their children. For him to steal children from his blood relations would have brought shame and disgrace upon himself and his Tribe. Wakara was chosen to be Chief because he exemplified his people's highest standards and ideals," they said. These false accusations not only tarnish the memory of our revered Chief but also perpetuate a distorted view of our history and culture, which is deeply damaging to the Timpanogos Nation of Utah, " said Mary Meyer.
The Timpanogos explained, "When the Mormons arrived and fighting broke out our people scattered in all directions for safety. Our children whose parents were killed, Wakara rescued them and took them to our people for safety, and so they wouldn't end up in Brigham Young's custody. Brigham would take our children, those of our leaders for his own protection knowing we wouldn't attack his home where our children were."
Wakara's Burial
There are many conflicting accounts about the location of Wakara's grave and details about his burial. Mormons say Wakara died in 1855 and was buried(by who?) in a "sepulcher of stone" on the rugged eastern hillside above this little community of Meadow, south of Fillmore, Utah. They also say 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 two young boys "were fastened alive to the pedestal beside Wakara's body." "I don't believe that," said Mary Meyer.
Mary Meyer and I attended the Circleville Massacre monument dedication in April of 2016 in Circleville, Utah. On the way home, we visited the Walker exhibit at The Territorial Statehouse and State Park in Fillmore, Utah, which describes Wakara's burial. After carefully reading everything at the exhibition, she said, "I don't believe any of this." She found the exhibit very offensive and disrespectful of her ancestors and Tribe. I lived with Mary's brother, Perry Murdock, for several months. I asked him 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." Perry further explained that Tribal members exhumed Wakara's body shortly after and reburied it in a secret location where his remains would be undisturbed by grave robbers.
Mormon writers claim Wakara was a horse thief. They are hypocritical in their judgment of Wakara. When the quorum of the twelve apostles and church leader Brigham Young ordered the Timpanogos' extermination, they then stole their land, water, and timber on their land. They then tried to take away their religion, language, and freedom. Then they gave the Timpanogos a book that said, "Thou shalt not steal."
I was also offended by the Fillmore State Exhibit and embarrassed that I had taken Mary to see how one-sided stories dehumanize and demoralize the indigenous peoples of Utah as a tourist attraction? It is disgraceful. And makes me ashamed I was born and grew up here in Utah, and served a mission for the LDS Church.
Tell us, Fillmore City, where is the "sepulcher of stone," and the remains of 50 horses, two women, two children, and Wakara? Tell us that please. We did a little math; there would be 1,065 human bones and 10,250 horse bones. That would be a total of 11,315 bones. Please send that information to comments@blackhawkproductions.com telling me where those items are?
"These preposterous stories were written and/or published by Mormon historians. After 25 years of exhaustive research I found no definitive proof that these stories about Timpanogos Chief Wakara are anything more than bullshit! And the city of Fillmore, the LDS Church and the State of Utah should apologize to the public and to the living descendents of Wakara and the Timpanogos Nation. Wakara was not King Tut, and Fillmore is a truck stop, not Egypt!" said Phillip B Gottfredson. See Timpanogos Nation Biography & The Utah Black Hawk War
Prelude To The 'Walker War'
Chief Wakara's Interview With Indian Agent M. S. Martenas
In 1853 Timpanogos leader Wakara (Black Hawk's uncle) told interpreter M. S. Martenas, "He (Wakara) said that he had always been opposed to the whites set[t]ling on the Indian lands, particularly that portion which he claims; and on which his band resides and on which they have resided since his childhood, and his parents before him—that the Mormons when they first commenced the settlement of Salt Lake Valley, was friendly, and promised them many comforts, and lasting friendship—that they continued friendly for a short time, until they became strong in numbers, then their conduct and treatment towards the Indians changed—they were not only treated unkindly, but many were much abused and this course has been pursued up to the present—sometimes they have been treated with much severity—they have been driven by this population from place to place—settlements have been made on all their hunting grounds in the valleys, and the graves of their fathers have been torn up by the whites." - STATEMENT, M. S. MARTENAS, INTERPRETER Great Salt Lake City, July 6 1853 Brigham Young Papers, MS 1234, Box 58, Folder 14
LDS Archives - Will Bagley Transcription.
Following 1847-48, the Mormon population grew by some 3000 per month. The Indian population declined from disease and destruction of food resources, and seizing every water source along the Wasatch front. Mormon leaders moved to disrupt the Mexican trade in horses thereby undermining the Tribe's wealth and power.
On January 31, 1850, Lieutenant General Daniel H. Wells of the all-Mormon Nauvoo Legion ordered Captain George D. Grant to "exterminate the Timpanogos," known as "Special Order No. 2".
The 'Walker War'
Wakara's vengeance was fueled by previous massacres at Battle Creek Canyon and Fort Utah. Throughout his life among the Mormons, he made every effort to live peacefully with them. He helped Brigham and his followers through the first winter of '47 with food, according to his descendants.
The 1850s were terrifying and chaotic for Wakara and the shoshonee-Timpanogos. Gold miners had set upon the whole territory of the Rockies, and the Wasatch, the US Army, and Mormon colonists were attracted to vast amounts of land and riches. Spurred on by the Doctrine of Discovery and Manifest Destiny, Europeans poured into aboriginal territory in droves for decades to come. It was overwhelming for the Timpanogos and all Tribes throughout the west.
Wakara's reaction to previous events was not immediate. Within less than three months following the massacre, Fort Utah was dismantled. It moved a short distance south to the newly formed community of Provo. Wakara met with leaders from the various brands of the Timpanogos Nation and advised them that the Mormons were the kind of people who lie about being believers in God. However, their way was to live in peace and lovingly. He had mistakenly trusted the Mormons when they swore: "no harm will come to you, and we will not take your land." Wakara quickly learned Mormons were people he could not trust. They did not walk their talk. They would say one thing and do another.
Wakara kept his promises. He had helped them through the winter. Now he regretted helping them, feeling betrayed and confused, he had to answer to his Tribe.
Wakara approaches the situation in an honorable way. He first sat in council with his brothers Sowiette, Sanpitch, Arapeen, Ammon, Tabby, Grospeen, and others to determine the best way to approach the situation. He meets with Brigham Young. Mormon Church scholars describe this meeting by saying, "Wakara begged Brigham to be baptized into the Church," as though he had surrendered to Brigham Young. No, a man like Wakara would not 'beg' much less surrender. It is more likely that Wakara had some respect for Brigham Young as a fellow human being and leader. He would have considered making some concessions or compromise for the sake of his people, to avoid war. But make no mistake, Wakara's allegiance was to his people, and the land of his ancestors. Wakara and his brothers were men of honor. They would find any means possible to avoid the shedding of blood. See Timpanogos Nation Biography & The Utah Black Hawk War
CAUSE AND ORIGIN OF THE WALKER WAR
According to Geo. McKenzie, a Black Hawk War veteran:
(Please note: Indian women are called "squaws" in the following story, which is never the case for white women. The term 'squaw' is a derogatory term that refers to a woman's genitalia. Also, McKenzie refers to Walker as a "war chief of the Ute nation." Wakara was not a 'War Chief' but rather the principal Chief of the Timpanogos Nation. He was never a member of the Utes. The following account is a one-sided perspective from Mormon history.)
1855, January 29, McKenzie wrote: Having been requested by State commander J. M. Westwood of the Utah Indian War Veterans Association to write up the cause of the Walker War, having been a resident of Springville at the time, and being well acquainted with James Ivie, who was the principal actor in the drama that caused the war, I submit the following as told to me by Ivie at the time, and on several occasions since the war. Walker, the war chief of the Ute nation, with his braves and their families were camped on Spring creek about one mile north of the present town of Springville, (Utah Co., Utah) all at peace with the white settlers, spending their time fishing and hunting, and trading and begging from the people. James Ivie, at that time had built a cabin, and was living in it with his wife and one child about half a mile north and west of where the Indians were camped. In the forenoon of July 17, 1853, an Indian and squaw came into Ivie's cabin. The squaw had three large trout which she wanted to trade to Mrs. Ivie for some flour. Flour being very scarce at that time, Mrs. Ivie called her husband in to get his views on the trade of that kind, he being at work digging a well. When he saw the trout, he said "They look mighty good to me," and suggested that Mrs. Ivie might give three pints of flour for them, if the squaw would trade that way. He then went out of the cabin to resume his work. Just after Ivie left two more Indians came into the cabin, one of whom seemed to be the husband or had some kind of claim on the squaw who had closed the trade with Mrs. Ivie. When this Indian saw the three trout, and the small amount of flour received in exchange, he became enraged and began beating the squaw, knocking her down, kicking and stamping her in a brutal manner. While this assault was being committed, Mrs. Ivie ran and called her husband, Mr. Ivie came to the cabin, and while the Indian was still beating the squaw he took hold of the Indian and pulled him away, the squaw lying prostrate on the floor. Ivie tried to push the Indian out of the cabin. When the Indian came, he left his gun standing by the door, and as Ivie pushed him out he grabbed his gun and tried to get in position to shoot Ivie. Ivie got hold of the muzzle of the gun, and in the struggle the gun was broken. The Indian retaining the stock and Ivie the barrel. When the gun broke, Ivie dealt the Indian a hard blow on the head with the barrel of the gun. The Indian fell to the ground, apparently dead, but did not expire until some hours later. The other Indian who came to the cabin the same time as his companion drew his bow and arrow and shot Ivie, the arrow passing through the shoulder of Ivie's buckskin hunting shirt. At this Ivie struck the Indian a violent blow and he fell unconscious by the side of the prostrate body of the other Indian. Just as Ivie got through with this second Indian, the squaw that he had been trying to protect came out of the cabin door with a stick of wood in her hand which she had picked up by the side of the fire in the cabin. With it she struck Ivie a blow in the face cutting a deep gash in his upper lip, and the scar showed plainly from that time until his death. Ivie again used the gun barrel to defend himself and struck the squaw. She fell unconscious by the side of the prostrate bodies of the two Indians. At this stage in the drama Joseph Kelly one of the foremost settlers of Springville, came upon the scene, and while looking at the three Indians lying apparently dead he was told by Ivie what had taken place. Kelly took a bucket of water that stood in the cabin and poured it on the Indians, trying to restore them. He then sent the Indian who first came to the cabin with the squaw for another bucket of water to try to restore the Indians to life ; this Indian having taken no part in the trouble.
Kelly told Ivie to take his wife and child and go into town before the Indian camp was notified of the trouble, which he did. ~
Note: For me, it's hard to believe that a few fish and a little flour was the cause of war. Wakara was a patriot who had so long defended his people and land. Historian Will Bagley told me in a private conversation that Wakara was poisoned to death by Mormon Church members and died at Meadow Creek in Millard County. Among his final words Chief Wakara admonished his Tribe to live at peace with the settlers and not molest them. Wakara's brother Arapeen became the principal Chief of the Timpanogos Nation.
Brigham Young said, "Allow me to say a word in behalf of Walker. I tell this congregation and the world that "Indian Walker," as he is called, has not been at the foundation of the difficulties we have had. He has had nothing to do with them. Has he done no wrong? I did not say he had done no wrong. He has been angry, and felt at times that he would like to destroy this people; but I do know that he has been held by a superior power. At the very commencement of the fuss, he was not in favor of killing the whites. When Kiel was killed, the Indians were still in the canyon; and when the whites followed them, they could have killed every man; but Walker said, "No—they shall not be killed." See Brigham Young Discourses
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