Bellevue University Alumnus Dr. Scott Peck Releases Comic-Book on Omaha Tribe and Frontier History
Bellevue University alumnus Dr. Scott Peck has released a book titled Against the Stream: How Manuel Lisa and Big Elk Survived the Floods of Change. The book presents a historical account of an alliance between Chief Big Elk of the Omaha Tribe and fur trader Manuel Lisa during the War of 1812.
Key Facts
- Author: Dr. Scott Peck, Bellevue University alumnus
- Degrees: MBA and DBA from Bellevue University
- Book title: Against the Stream: How Manuel Lisa and Big Elk Survived the Floods of Change
- Format: Comic-book format
- Focus: Alliance between Chief Big Elk and Manuel Lisa during the War of 1812
- Availability: Amazon
Book Overview
Bellevue University alumnus Dr. Scott Peck has released a new book, Against the Stream: How Manuel Lisa and Big Elk Survived the Floods of Change.
Dr. Peck, who earned both his MBA and DBA from Bellevue University, tells this historical story in comic-book format. The book follows Big Elk, Chief of the Omaha Tribe, and fur trader Manuel Lisa. During the War of 1812, the two formed an alliance that supported the survival of their people and highlighted the role of the Omaha Tribe during that time.
The book shows how Big Elk faced disease, tribal conflict, and the arrival of newcomers, while Lisa, focused on building a life in the wilderness, brought opportunities and challenges that reshaped the region. Through their alliance, the two men formed a bond of trust and cooperation that ensured their survival and influenced America’s efforts in the War of 1812.
“I love history—it has all the drama and connection of any program you have watched,” Dr. Peck said. “One of my goals was to have this story included in school curricula when students study Native Americans, the Oregon Trail, or the Lewis and Clark expedition. It gives students a way to see the time and place and connect those subjects to their own lives.”
Historical Context and Research
Dr. Peck said his research began after walking through Bellevue Cemetery and learning about Chief Ongpatonka ‘Big Elk.’ “At the time, I had not heard of him,” he said. “I started reading what I could find. There was not much available, so I turned to original documents in collections and museum archives. When I learned about the actions of Big Elk and Mauel Lisa during the War of 1812, including their use of subterfuge to confuse tribes seeking to fight for the British, I felt it was a story that needed to be told.”
Against the Stream: How Manuel Lisa and Big Elk Survived the Floods of Change is available for purchase on Amazon.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 70,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 85 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).