Washington State History : Chief Joseph vs. Isaac Stevens
Hello my teacher friends,
The chilly weather has certainly settled in here in Washington State, but that's no shocker for January 2024. I've spent the past week in Oak Harbor, Island County, accompanying my spouse who recently returned from a six-month deployment in Japan. As a new military wife, navigating the intricacies of the military complex has proven to be quite a formidable task.
Over the past six months, my focus has revolved around the essentials: tending to the kids, fulfilling my role as a special education para, engaging in college classes for my upcoming degree, and contemplating my contributions to Washington State history. A few months ago, I published an emergency substitute plan for Washington State history, delving into the intriguing topic of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Generously, I shared this lesson plan with my 13-year-old's social studies teacher. In Washington, the study of state history is a middle school offering and a graduation requirement.
Check out cascadia Subduction Zone Emergency Sub Plans —->HERE
On a fascinating note, my son exhibits a remarkable talent for geography. He has an impressive knowledge of the counties in Washington State, along with their corresponding county seats.
I've been developing a product centered around some of our significant historical figures, recognizing that, being formed on November 11, 1889, our state lacks the abundance of historical figures that a country like France might have. Nevertheless, our unique history is a compelling narrative in itself.
Governor Isaac Stevens, Chief Leschi, Chief Joseph
The three historical figures I am currently focusing on pertain to our first governor, Governor Isaac Stevens. Appointed as the governor of Washington Territory by President Buchanan, Stevens played a pivotal role during a time when the Nonintercourse Act, also known as the legislation that led to the establishment of Indian reservations, was enforced. I will also be writing about chief joseph of the wallawalla tribe and chief leschi of the Nisqually Tribe. Chief joseph died a broken man on a reservation while chief leschi was executed, not by the hands of governer stevens by he may as well have been since stevens wanted to blame leschi for an alleged murder and indian revolts.
That being said, Governer Stevens is not fondly remembered by the native people of washington state. His methods were harsh, he overstepped, declared martial law without proper authority and is responsible for the execution of one innocent man from the nisqually nation, Chief Leschi.
small pox
Pacific Northwest Indians faced heightened vulnerability to smallpox due to limited contact with European settlers, rendering them entirely immune-naïve to the virus. These epidemics had profound societal repercussions, leading to population decline, the loss of knowledge concerning food sources, and overall societal disruption. The outbreak in 1853, in particular, claimed a significant number of lives in Native villages, contributing to the subsequent signing of treaties and the relocation to reservations.
Given the diminishing native populations, the encroachment of white settlers onto native lands became an inevitable consequence. The establishment of reservations provided the remaining indigenous communities with protection and a secure haven where their land couldn't be taken by Americans.
reservations
Governor Stevens had to enforce the expectations those in Washington dC had, meaning he was expected to get chiefs to sign treaties which eventually resulted in tribes ceding vast portions of their lands and rights to the government. Remember of course at this time, well over fifty percent of the Indian population were dead from small pox and did not use all the land in Washington state, most of the land was forest. with allegations suggesting that Stevens might have manipulated some signatures. Governor Stevens became superintendent of Indian Affairs of the Washington Territory, and he appointed the Chiefs of local tribes. This gave him the power to create puppet governments among the native population, and appointed chiefs signed treaties.
When considering reservations in Washington State, it's crucial to recognize that the 'less fertile' reservations, characterized by limited water resources or salmon runs, are predominantly located in Yakama or Eastern Washington. While these reservations on the west coast may not hold the same value as certain areas in King, Snoqualmie, or Thurston County, they remain economically viable. Many residents of these reservations are employed by multi-billion-dollar casinos owned and operated by federally recognized tribes. It's noteworthy that living on a reservation, acquiring land, or owning property in these areas is restricted to Native Americans. This serves as a protective measure against encroachment, ensuring the well-being of the inhabitants.
Hopefully we see that the indigenous people of Washington state were treated unjustly by the federal government and governor issac stevens. moving forward, we have two day emergency sub plan that will walk your students through the process of learning the history of these three men, how they saw each other and how they are remembered (Legacy) today.
two day emergency sub plan
The project I'm currently engaged in involves crafting a comprehensive two (2) day emergency substitute plan for Washington State history. I've designed it with the intent that the substitute teacher can seamlessly execute it on the first day. The initial lesson focuses on the critical concept of perspectives in history, considering it a cornerstone. Students will delve into the lives of Governor Stevens, Chief Joseph, and Chief Leschi.
Day One: Perspectives
In the first part of our lesson plan, students are tasked with developing insightful questions about these three historical figures. For instance, they might inquire, "How did these three individuals perceive land ownership?" Their duty extends to exploring cultural disparities regarding land ownership between indigenous Europeans and Native Americans, as well as delving into any spiritual or religious distinctions between the two groups. Additionally, students are encouraged to pose questions about the Nisqually people's government and how it may have influenced Chief Leschi's perspective on land ownership. This perspective taking skill fosters empathy, and the world certainly can always use empathy.
Throughout the activities on the first day, students will engage with the Nez Perce War, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive exploration of historical perspectives. Washington State history, like any history, is multifaceted and involves the experiences of various groups. Understanding perspectives allows students to explore different narratives, ensuring a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of the state's history. Analyzing historical perspectives cultivates critical thinking skills. Students learn to question, evaluate, and interpret information from different viewpoints. This skill is valuable not only in history but in many aspects of life. Day one of this lesson plan covers the important part - perspective taking.
Day One pages about perspectives
Day Two: Legacy
On day two of the lesson plan, a fascinating shift occurs. Having delved into perspectives on day one, students will now transition their understanding to the concept of legacy – how Washingtonians commemorate Governor Stevens, Chief Joseph, and Chief Leschi. Students will engage with informational texts about each historical figure, fostering class discussions and documenting on paper how each individual is remembered.
students will use the provided chart to identify five places named after Governor Stevens. Subsequently, they will specify the locations (city, county, part of the state) associated with these names. Moving on, students will identify geographical locations named after Chief Joseph and Chief Leschi. In-depth discussions will ensue, focusing on how these figures are remembered and the enduring impact their legacies have on our collective memory. The exploration of collective memory involves understanding the ways in which these individuals are memorialized, the places named after them, and the broader impact their legacies have on the shared consciousness of the community. Essentially, it involves the common understanding and interpretation of historical events and figures that shape the identity and narrative of the community as a whole.
day two pages from the activity
collective memory in washington state history
Understanding collective memory in Washington state history is an important element that should be in your Washington state history curriculum because it provides a sense of historical continuity. Students grasp how past events and figures continue to influence the present, connecting the dots between history and their current lives. Exploring collective memory aids in the formation of personal and communal identity. Students develop a deeper understanding of who they are and where they come from, contributing to a well-rounded sense of self.
This method focusing on perspectives and legacy readies students for future history studies, establishing a connection with their cultural identity as citizens and residents of Washington State. Learning outcomes encompass understanding historical figures, the Native American Removal Act, Nonintercourse Act, martial law, injustice, justice, and recognizing diverse worldviews. An important outcome is the cultivation of empathy through formulating questions about perspectives. Students will also learn a great deal about Washington state geography simply by having to identify every place named after governor Stevens. By tying all of these aspects to legacy, where shared beliefs shape how we remember people, the approach deepens our connection to culture and values. Ultimately, this contributes significantly to students' development as well-informed and empathetic citizens, fostering a strong connection to their cultural identity.
The product is not quite ready yet, and i am very excited to hear your feedback!
See you all in the next blog!
