Primary Sources, Black History

Marlene Rivero portrays York's mother, whose son was the African-American Guide on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The painting is a self portrait as York's Mother Rose.Marlene Rivero developed her character in response to a Need to tell York's Story in 2003. The National Park Service first  saw  the program in Cairo, Illionois, and  it  has been seen by thosands of people between 2003-2006. It received honorable mention at the St louis, Mo. Marlene draws from the notes, songs, Costumes & spoken words she discovered while researching to tell of York's role in the L &  C Exp.   York was Clark’s childhood companion. He was enslaved.  He was devoted to William Clark. He was a guide on the expedition.  York had a great time on the expedition. He had, had his own rifle. He got to vote. He was a full member of the expedition. He had a, the Indians loved him.