Fort Pitt Museum
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This seminar, the first of the series, will explore the culture and diplomacy of the Native Americans who lived at or near the Forks of the Ohio during the 1750s. While shedding some light on this often-overlooked aspect of the conflict that would develop at the Forks during this decade, the seminar will also set the stage for three later seminars that will focus on the key events of 1758.

Presenters include

Jim O'Neil will present a talk titled "Their Bearing Noble and Proud". It will be a look at what clothing Native Americans of the 18th Century actually wore. The talk will be based on period quotes, slides of period paintings, engravings, and sketches, and slides of items that are in museums from around the world. We will see that the image presented to the world is far from what the Native Americans actually looked like in this time period. We will also look at the effect of the fur trade upon the appearance of Native Americans. He has degrees in history and education and has researched, consulted, and presented extensively on topics related to Native Americans in Early America.

Michael Galban (Washoe-Paiute) and Tonia Loran-Galban (Mohawk) of Ganondagan State Historic Site (New York) will cover a variety of topics and themes related to the Native peoples who lived in the vicinity of the Forks of the Ohio. The discussion will focus on the history of Native presence in Western Pennsylvania and how it was that these peoples responded to the growing danger of conflict. Special attention will be made to the fundamental philosophies of Native diplomacy of the 18th century, the use of Wampum, and how it was that women played a role in the decision-making process, especially among the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois). The presentation will provide a greater understanding of the peoples who were the original caretakers of the lands surrounding modern Pittsburgh as well as offer insight into the philosophical foundations of Native culture in the 18th century.

Seminar Schedule

Parking: Available on the streets around Point State Park and also at a public lot on Commonwealth Place near the temporary entrance to the Fort Pitt Museum. Click here for directions to the Museum.

Seminar Fees:

$30 per person ($20 for Fort Pitt Museum Associates members)
$100 for all four seminars ($60 for Fort Pitt Museum Associates members)

Click here for information on upcoming presentations in the full seminar series.