WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — An Entiat woman says don’t forget the Indians who helped famed Canadian explorer David Thompson survey the Columbia River 200 years ago.
Helen Julian believes her great-great-great-grandfather, Ignace Lamoose, was one of two Iroquois Indians who built canoes and helped guide the expedition, smoothing the way with other Indians.
The Wenatchee World reports there are records of an Iroquois with Thompson named Ignace, but it’s not certain if it’s Julian’s relative who also is known for bringing Catholic teachings to Indians in the Bitterroot Valley.
Thompson’s trip was recreated this summer by a group of paddlers who retraced his 1,100-mile route from British Columbia to the mouth of the Columbia River.