First half of Lewis and Clark journey done

CHINOOK, Wash., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A bead exchange between a descendant of Capt. William Clark and the vice chairman of the Chinook nation capped the re-enactment of the Louis and Clark journey.

Bud Clark accepted a necklace of cobalt-blue beads from Ray Gardner, who is hoping this week's ceremony commemorating the first half the Lewis and Clark journey will help push his people's quest for federal recognition.

"We hope to get our place back in history, as we deserve," Gardner told the Seattle Times.

The re-enactment was put together by the Discovery Expedition of St. Louis, Mo., which organized the journey tracing the route taken by Clark and Meriwether Lewis to explore the West 200 years ago.

Bryant Boswell, a dentist from Star, Miss., who was among the 238 people participating in the journey, said he found himself wanting to apologize as they crossed Indian country.

"I have a new appreciation for the price that's been paid for the great country we have," he said. "I've had my eyes opened, my whole life expanded."