Billy Chinook
| Billy Chinook | |
|---|---|
| Born | ca. 1827 North central, Oregon |
| Died | December 9, 1890 (aged 62–63) Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Oregon, United States |
| Education | Columbian College |
| Known for | Guiding Frémont expeditions |
| Awards | President’s peace and friendship medal |
Billy Chinook was a chief and member of the Wasco tribe. Chinook was a guide for John C. Frémont and Kit Carson, who explored Central Oregon from 1843 to 1844 and from 1845 to 1847. Chinook also served as First Sergeant, U.S. Army Wasco Scouts during the Snake War. Lake Billy Chinook in Oregon is named in his honor.
Billy Chinook (aka William Parker) was born circa 1827 in the area that was to become Fort Dalles, Oregon Territory. He was baptized by Reverend Daniel Lee of the Wascopam Mission, which was a part of the Methodist Mission in the Oregon Country. Chinook was an orphan and lived at the mission.
In the summer of 1843, then-Lieutenant John C. Frémont and Kit Carson visited the present-day Bend, Oregon and The Dalles, Oregon areas. Chinook was 16 to 19 years old at the time and was recruited by Frémont as a guide. The Frémont expedition (Frémont's second) then explored central Oregon and the Klamath Basin, and further into present-day Nevada and California areas through July 1844.
In 1845 Frémont traveled to Washington, D.C. with Chinook. While there, Frémont awarded a medal to Chinook which bore the likeness of the President and the inscription: Martin Van Buren President of the United States A.D. 1845 on the obverse. The reverse has an image of clasped hands (U.S. military and Native), a tomahawk crossed with a peace pipe and the words Peace and Friendship. While in Washington, D.C. Chinook studied English at Columbian College.
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