Credit Above Photo: dbking,CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Custer’s Last Stand Reenactment 2013, near Old U.S. Hwy 87, Hardin, MT

Photo Credit: Leonard J. DeFrancisci,CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Voyageur Rendezvous: 1st of two Rendezvous Periods

In North American history, a rendezvous was a wilderness gathering that took place at established camps or river and lake junctions used by those involved in the fur trade. All of these rendezvous ultimately included a major transfer of furs and goods to be traded for furs. In North America during the fur trade era, from the 16th century to the mid-19th century, there were two distinct periods and locations that defined the Voyageur Rendezvous (late 16th century until about 1810 focused around the Great Lakes) and the Mountain Man or Buckskinner Rendezvous that most movies are famous for, though they only lasted a short period (1825-1840) and took place in the Western Rocky Mountains. What a coincidence that a Voyageur Rendezvous era of over 200 years was coming to a close at almost the same time as the ‘Mountain Man’ Rendezvous of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming began.

Voyageur is a French word, meaning “traveler”. Voyageurs were French Canadians who engaged in the transporting of furs by canoe during the fur trade years. From the beginning of the fur trade in the 1680s until the late 1870s, the voyageurs were the blue-collar workers of the Montreal fur trade. At their height in the 1810s, they numbered as many as 3,000 men. Hired from farms and villages of the St. Lawrence Valley, most spoke French and generally could not read or write. These men agreed to work for a number of years in exchange for pay, equipment, clothing and “room and board.” Most voyageurs would start working when they were in their early twenties and continue working into their sixties. Sometimes being a voyageur was a family tradition.

Read What is the Difference in a Mountain Man Rendezvous and Voyageur Rendezvous? by Crazy Crow Trading Post

French and Indian War Reenactments

The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was the North American chapter of the Seven Years’ War. The name refers to the two main enemies of the British: the royal French forces and the various American Indian forces allied with them. The conflict, the fourth such colonial war between the kingdoms of France and Great Britain, resulted in the British conquest of all of New France east of the Mississippi River, as well as Spanish Florida.

Reenactments of battles became more commonplace in the late 19th century, both in Britain, and in America. Within a year of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, survivors of U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment reenacted the scene as a series of still photographic poses.

War of 1812 Reenactments (1812-1815)

The War of 1812 lasted for two-and-a-half years, between the United States and the United Kingdom, its North American colonies and its American Indian allies. The war resolved many issues which remained from the American Revolutionary War but involved no boundary changes. The United States declared war for several reasons, including trade restrictions brought about by the British war with France, the impressment of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, British support of Indian tribes against American expansion, outrage over insults to national honor after humiliations on the high seas and possible American interest in annexing British North American territory (part of modern-day Canada).

The nation gained a strong sense of complete independence as people celebrated their “second war of independence” with nationalism soaring after the victory at the Battle of New Orleans.

The Midwestern Primitive Rendezvous, 2004

Photo Credit: AWI, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Seminole War Reenactments (1817-1858)

The Seminole Wars were a series of three conflicts between the United States and the Seminoles that took place in Florida between about 1816 and 18581. The First Seminole War (1817–18) began over attempts by U.S. authorities to recapture runaway Black slaves living among Seminole bands.

The Second Seminole War (1835–42) followed the refusal of most Seminoles to abandon the reservation that had been specifically established for them north of Lake Okeechobee and to relocate west of the Mississippi River.

The Third Seminole War (1855–58) resulted from renewed efforts to track down the Seminole remnant remaining in Florida.

Among the major battles that are the focus of many if not most of the Seminole War reenactments are: (Scott Massacre (1817), Dade Massacre (1835), Battle of Okeechobee (1837), Battle of Loxahatchee (1859) and others.

Texas Revolution Reenactments (1836)

The Texas Revolution was a rebellion of colonists from the United States and Tejanos (Texas Mexicans) in putting up armed resistance to the centralist government of Mexico. The battles of the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto were key events in this revolution, and reenactments are held annually to commemorate them.

The Battle of the Alamo was fought between the Republic of Texas and Mexico from February 23 to March 6, 1836. The Mexican army, led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna, launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas). All of the Texian defenders were killed.

The Goliad Massacre was an event that occurred on March 27, 1836, during the Texas Revolution. Following the Battle of Coleto Creek, Texian soldiers under Colonel James W. Fannin surrendered to the Mexican army. They were subsequently executed on orders from Santa Anna.

The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day Harris County, Texas. It was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texian Army engaged and defeated General Santa Anna’s Mexican army in a fight that lasted just 18 minutes. The Texans shouted “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad!” as they attacked.

Native American Pow Wows ARE NOT REENACTMENTS

Lastly we wish to make a point that is obvious (and a bit ironic) given a little thought. All of the historical periods listed above are the more common ones reenacted by persons of any race or ethnicity who simply has an interest in them. The clothing and accoutrements of the era are researched and an outfit to match is made (or bought). In the case of military reenactors local reenactor units may be joined. Free-wheeling buckskinners have organizations as well. This is all to reenacte the material culure of a past era.

The ‘regalia’ worn by Native Americans at today’s pow wow is a representation of their current and very much ‘alive’ culture. They are not reenacting anything. In the nineteenth century, powwows “became homecoming celebrations, when families and communities separated by government removal could reunite,” according to the Smithsonian Institution. Today, powwows are held regularly all over the United States. Many ceremonies and customs were outlawed during the early reservation period. The Grass Dance being more social was one of the only events allowed. As so many Tribes were pushed together it was soon clear and necessary to transfer the traditions of the Grass Dance between Tribes. “Inter-Tribalism” began to emerge with the sharing of songs, dances, clothing, food and art. Gift giving and generosity became integral aspects of these early festivities and they are evident in any powwow today.

This isn’t intended to be an article on the subject, just to explain why we separate our Native American related articles and online resource information from those intended for historical reenactors. There are many blurred lines for reenactors that do relate to Native American material culture as many of the items produced overseas (i.e., glass beads and broadcloth), as well as the ubiquitous hairpipe first made of conch shell by the Dutch in New York, then of wooden pipestems and ultimaely of bone from a development partnership that inclued a Ponca chieftian, a trader, and an eastern U.S. manufacturer. Just in case someone has a ‘but’ to add, we acknowledge that some Native Americans take part in battle reenactments such as the ‘Battle of Little Bighorn’ and the ‘Dade Massacre’ of the 2nd Seminole War. These are exceptions in which they participate to tell an overall story of a shared past history.