History & Geography Unit 1-4: WA Territory & Treaty Making

The teacher will:

• Ask the students to define Conflict. Write their answers on the board. Ask two students to look up the definition of Conflict and have them write that on the board.
• Ask the class to give examples of what a conflict might look like, what might cause a conflict…
• Explain to the students that there are always two sided to every conflict, and that the sometimes both sides of the story are not told. Today we will be looking into the reasons the Spokane Indians and their neighbors felt it necessary to defend themselves against Colonel Steptoe, which would eventually led them into the Battle of 1858 with Colonel George Wright.
• Have the students read P. 69 – 73, British Fur Traders.
• On a map locate Canada and the headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company, follow the Columbia River down and into WA. Locate the Fur Trading Companies on the map. Point out the one’s nearest the Spokane Indians.
• Point out to the students that the Hudson Bay Company (foreign corporation) was promoting war against the US Government. Telling the Indians to drive out the US government and we will pay you more for your land.
• Discuss how the first contact with the white fur trappers and traders effected the Spokane Indians way of life.
• P. 55 worksheet, Good or Bad?
• Next, explain to the students while the Fur Companies were harvest too many animals, a new group of people were coming into the area to convert the Indians to their way of life.
• Show pictures of Christian Missionaries on the Oregon Trail, who have one thing in mind…convert the Indians to their way of life.
• Read P. 76 – 78, Christian Missionaries
• Discuss with the students, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and the measles epidemic. How this might cause conflicts for the Spokane Indians later.
• Discuss the establishment of the Tshimikin Mission by Elkanah and Mary Walker.
• Show the students a map that displays Railroad’s coming into the area. Discuss with the students the coming of the Railroad and how they caused much conflict between the Native Americans in the area and the US Government.
• P.79 – 85, GO WEST! Read and discuss (Students will take Cornell Notes)
• Watch the video: __________________________.
• Read and discuss The Bolan Report (Military Report)
• P. 86, The Mullan Road, Discuss with the students that when the Spokane’s hear that Mullan is coming to “Survey” the land, they believe the word “Survey” is a bad word, meaning they will lose their lands…so the Indians take up arms.
• P.67 worksheet, Cause and Effect –Discuss with the students; Cause: When settlers came to Washington territory, they caused many changes in the natural environment and in the lifestyle of the Indian people. Effects: The way of life changed for the Indians from hunting/fishing, religion, gathering foods. OR Cause: American settlers move onto land occupied by various tribes. Effects: Some of the settlers have the measles – many Indians die from measles – The Whitmans and other are killed. OR Cause: Governor Stevens tries to get the Indians to sign treaties to divide up the land of the Columbia Plateau. Effects: Kamiakin is chosen leader of various small bands who are called the Yakama-The Indians sign treaties – White settlers hunting for gold violate the treaty – Indians fight back.
• Ch. 3 Fortunes of War, Children of the Sun by Dave C. Wynecoop. Read and discuss with the class, how the discovery of gold was detrimental to the Spokane Indians.