Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In 1776, while the American Revolution unfolded on the East Coast, a different kind of revolution was reshaping the American West — a place mapmakers simply labeled "Parts Unknown."
BEFORE WYOMING: THE WEST IN 1776 uncovers this forgotten chapter of American history. As the United States marked its founding, Native American communities across the Plains and Rockies were navigating an upheaval of their own: the arrival of horses, guns, and disease — decades before Lewis & Clark set out, and half a century before wagon trains reached the Oregon Trail.
Working alongside historians, archaeologists, and descendants of the Eastern Shoshone and other tribes, the documentary follows the search for physical traces of that world — from a tiny 18th-century trade bead from Venice unearthed in the desert, evidence of a trans-continental Native trade network, to the memories still carried by tribal elders today. What emerges is a story of mobile, multilingual communities, rich trade and political alliances, and rapid adaptation to forces that would remake the continent — all unfolding at the exact moment the Declaration of Independence referred to Native peoples only in passing, as "merciless Indian savages."
On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this film enlarges the American story to include the people and events long reduced to a footnote.
#AmericanHistory #NativeAmericanHistory #Wyoming #EasternShoshone #AmericanRevolution #Documentary #America250 #IndigenousHistory
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With Wyoming PBS content, you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you’re seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/wyomingpbs
Subscribe to our email newsletter: wyomingpbs.org/newsletter-signup-form
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/WyomingPBS
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wyoming-pbs
In 1776, while the American Revolution unfolded on the East Coast, a different kind of revolution was reshaping the American West — a place mapmakers simply labeled "Parts Unknown."
BEFORE WYOMING: THE WEST IN 1776 uncovers this forgotten chapter of American history. As the United States marked its founding, Native American communities across the Plains and Rockies were navigating an upheaval of their own: the arrival of horses, guns, and disease — decades before Lewis & Clark set out, and half a century before wagon trains reached the Oregon Trail.
Working alongside historians, archaeologists, and descendants of the Eastern Shoshone and other tribes, the documentary follows the search for physical traces of that world — from a tiny 18th-century trade bead from Venice unearthed in the desert, evidence of a trans-continental Native trade network, to the memories still carried by tribal elders today. What emerges is a story of mobile, multilingual communities, rich trade and political alliances, and rapid adaptation to forces that would remake the continent — all unfolding at the exact moment the Declaration of Independence referred to Native peoples only in passing, as "merciless Indian savages."
On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this film enlarges the American story to include the people and events long reduced to a footnote.
#AmericanHistory #NativeAmericanHistory #Wyoming #EasternShoshone #AmericanRevolution #Documentary #America250 #IndigenousHistory
...
With Wyoming PBS content, you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you’re seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/wyomingpbs
Subscribe to our email newsletter: wyomingpbs.org/newsletter-signup-form
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/WyomingPBS
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wyoming-pbs
