They were the first Americans ... proud ...
strong ... honorable ... noble. They lived off the land and revered its
animals and plants, its waters and mountains, the skies and the stars.
Their lives symbolized the majesty that was and is America.
Only now, centuries after the discovery of
America by European explorers, have we fully come to recognize and
appreciate the power and spirit of the true Native Americans. That is why
this particular tribute to the Heroic Leaders of the American Indians is
so timely and important.
A Stunning Tribute
To honor the legacy of the Native Americas,
we have selected the Model 94 Wrangler Carbine in caliber .30-30. This
Tribute will be the focal point of any home or office. Working with
craftsmen specifically commissioned by America Remembers for this project,
each carbine is decorated in a combination of gleaming gold, nickel and
blueing to produce a masterpiece that's truly incredible to behold.
American Indians had their own admiration
for the Winchester rifle which became a vital part of their everyday life.
Rifles were used for defense and hunting. The Model 94 was the first rifle
produced by Winchester that used smokeless powder. Today, the Model 94 is
the oldest version of Winchester still produced by the factory. It is the
grandson of the Henry Rifle and the famous 1866 Winchester which were used
extensively in the West.
The Great Leaders of the American Indians
On the left-hand side of the receiver are
portraits of five of the most honored and respected Indian leaders. As
leaders of their people, their names are indelibly etched in American
history.
The legendary Chief of the Sioux,
Sitting Bull, a man dedicated to peace
but forced to wage war. He typified the Plains spirit of the 19th century,
bluntly challenging those who lied to him and refusing to accept
substitutes for solemn treaties.
"God Almighty made me," he told General
Nelson Miles on the occasion of their first meeting. "God Almighty did not
make me an agency Indian, and I'll fight and die fighting before any man
will make me an agency Indian." Regrettably for such a noble man, his
prophecy was fulfilled.
Gall of
the Hunkpapa was born Pizi but called Gall from boyhood when he ate the
gall of a slaughtered animal. He was a noble warrior and chief lieutenant
of Sitting Bull. With Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, he led Indian attempts
to thwart the construction of forts and roads through the buffalo hunting
country.
Surrendering five years after the Battle of
Little Big Horn, Gall was released to a South Dakota reservation where he
converted to Christianity and is said to have attended the mission church
service carrying his weapons and painted as if for war council.
Makhpiyaluta, or
Red Cloud, is generally considered one of "the greatest Indian
leaders of modern times." A fierce warrior and brilliant tactician, he
boldly fought the encroaching settlers and cavalry for years before
finally being overcome by sheer force of numbers.
He is remembered as a brave warrior, a
dignified counselor and a staunch advocate for the welfare of his people.
He possessed a great human kindness and a spirit of understanding that
was, regrettable, unmatched by those in Washington.
The military genius
Chief Joseph was perhaps the most important and eloquent
Native American orator ever. A leader of the Nez Perce Indians, Hinmaton
Yalatkit rescued his people from oblivion by skilled leadership in a
long-standing war with those encroaching on their hunting grounds.
Finally forced to surrender, he delivered a
final speech judged to be among the greatest ever delivered by a military
leader in history.
The Apache were nomadic warriors of
northern Mexico and the southwestern United States and the last Native
Americans to surrender to the will of the United States government. Their
most legendary fighter was the bold and proud
Geronimo.
He had the distinction of being the last
Native America chief to lead his followers as a people independent of the
authority of an outside government.
These five noble Americans look down form
the clouds above a peaceful Indian village, their courage and deeds an
ever-lasting testimony to the glory of a great people.
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