Exploring pioneer’s trail: Only enslaved person on Lewis and Clark Expedition focus of doc

York, an enslaved man, was the only Black person on the journey west

No actual image of York is known to exist, but one side of a 1912 painting by E.S. Paxson, titled “Lewis and Clark at Three Forks,” features this version of him. The paining hangs in the Montana state Capitol. (National Park Service)

Even this bust of York in Portland’s Mount Tabor Park, by artist Todd McGrain, has a complicated history. It was installed “guerilla-style,” replacing a prior statue of a pioneer and newspaper editor that was vandalized in 2021. Although popular, the York bust was also swiftly vandalized and removed. A new, official version of the statue is expected to be installed somewhere in Portland later this year. (Mark Graves/The Oregonian)

This sculpture of an unnamed Indigenous person, left, William Clark and York was removed by the University of Portland after it became the target of vandalism. (The Columbian files)

Eight Black educators explore Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in the documentary film “Big Medicine: York Outdoors.” (Peter Carbonell/National Park Service)

Author and living history reenactor Hasan Davis performs as York, the only enslaved person on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, in the film “Big Medicine: York Outdoors.” (Peter Carbonell/National Park Service)

Author and living history reenactor Hasan Davis speaks about York’s life — and performs as York — in the film “Big Medicine: York Outdoors.” (Peter Carbonell/National Park Service)

The documentary film “Big Medicine: York Outdoors” follows a group of Black educators as they the retrace the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s journey through the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in Montana. (Peter Carbonell/National Park Service)

The cast of “Big Medicine: York Outdoors.” (Peter Carbonell/National Park Service)

Among the 45 adventurers who crossed the North American continent as part of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery in 1804-1806 was one who never chose to join the journey, yet contributed to its success in surprising and crucial ways. After the expedition was over, it’s beyond surprising to learn how that heroic figure was treated with ingratitude and contempt, and mostly vanished from the history books.

In recent years, the story of York, though incomplete, is being resurrected and re-explored. York was the only enslaved person on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. And he was the first Black person to cross the continent and see the Pacific Ocean (at what is now Cape Disappointment State Park, on the Washington side of the mouth of the Columbia River).

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