Native Americans: Captive Children


Figure 1.--C.S. Fly photographed a white boy captured by the Apaches. The photograph was taken March 25-26, 1886. You can see Fly's paper label from his "Scene in Geronimo's Camp" series, numbered and titled No. 170. The captive white boy was Santiago McKinn. McKinn was taken from his home near Mimbres, New Mexico in 1885. He was apparently treated kindly by the Apache, and quickly learned their language. Learning that he was to be returned to his father and mother he reportedly began crying, complaining that he wanted to stay with the Apaches.

There is an interesting body of literature in colonial America about European children kidnapped by Native Americans. Some were held for ransome. Others were adopted by the tribal communities. There were even cases of adults, although this was more rare. One such incident, was made into a film--"A Man Called Horse". Another film specifically about a captured boy based on an actual true-life experience is "Wind River". The interesting aspect of these accounts is that the European children and women found it easier to adapt than Native American children in Colonial society. Several factors were at play here. Boys adapted easily to the oudoor life style and lack of harsh discipline characteristic of European scociety. Girls found women had higher social status in Native American than colonial society. In addition, once thgey had chikldren, they understood that their children would never be fully accepted by their families and colonial society in general. While many captive Europeans opted to stay with their adopted Native American families, it was rare that Native American children did nit try to escape back to their tribe if the opportunity presented itself.

Incidents

There is an interesting body of literature in colonial America about European children kidnapped by Native Americans. Some were held for ransome. Others were adopted by the tribal communities. There were even cases of adults, although this was more rare.

Unknown name

One such incident, was made into a film--"A Man Called Horse". I think tht was based on an actual incidnt.

Nick Wilson

Another film specifically about a captured boy based on an actual true-life experience is "Wind River". The 1998 movie "Wind River" is about Native Americans. Blake Heron played a white boy who had been captured and raised by Indians. The movie is set in 1854 Wyoming. It is Tom Shell's adaptation of the memoirs of Pony Express rider Nick Wilson. Before Nick is captured, the wife of a powerful Shoshone Indian chief has a vision. She somehow foresees that a white chile, specifically a blonde child will save their daughter. Beliefing that the tribe needs a blond child, the chief kidnaps Nicholas from his settler parents. Nick meets the description of the boy in his wife's dream perfectly. Nick soon becomes accustomed to his new circu,stances and comes to love the family. Eventually settlers comes searching for Nick. He has to choose between his white family and his Shoshone family. The costumes and the weapons depicted seemed very accurate.

Santiago McKinn

C.S. Fly photographed a white boy captured by the Apaches. The photograph was taken March 25-26, 1886 (figure 1). You can see Fly's paper label from his "Scene in Geronimo's Camp" series, numbered and titled No. 170. The captive white boy was Santiago McKinn. McKinn was taken from his home near Mimbres, New Mexico in 1885. He was apparently treated kindly by the Apache, and quickly learned their language. Learning that he was to be returned to his father and mother he reportedly began crying, complaining that he wanted to stay with the Apaches.

Adjustments

he interesting aspect of these accounts is that the European children and women found it easier to adapt than Native American children in Colonial society. Several factors were at play here. Boys adapted easily to the oudoor life style and lack of harsh discipline characteristic of European scociety. Girls found women had higher social status in Native American than colonial society. In addition, once thgey had chikldren, they understood that their children would never be fully accepted by their families and colonial society in general. While many captive Europeans opted to stay with their adopted Native American families, it was rare that Native American children did nit try to escape back to their tribe if the opportunity presented itself.







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Created: 10:58 PM 8/26/2006
Last updated: 4:32 AM 3/26/2010