Hosting: "A Native Perspective on the 1855-8 Yakama Wars"
Join Historic Whidbey in Welcoming Yakama Tribal Member And Scholar:
Emily Washines
Speaking On "My Search For Haller & Northwest Truth-Telling” - A Native Perspective On The 1855-8 Yakama Wars
The opening of the Oregon Trail to American settlers was a cataclysmic event for indigenous peoples everywhere in the Pacific Northwest - both east and west of the Cascades. Whirlwind treaties and rogue settlers compounded the stress brewing in the new Washington Territory. The resulting conflicts were surprisingly complex.
In 1855, the first battle of the Yakama War took place, known as "Haller's Defeat." Revisiting war may lead to interesting research pathways. Once upon a time, Major Granville Haller - a known "Indian fighter" - was sent from Fort Dalles, Oregon to the Yakima Valley, but was surprised to find the numbers of Yakama and other Native American warriors higher than he anticipated. Even with newspapers calling for every Yakama to be killed, Haller continued to ask these questions: Why were Yakamas so upset and how could they amass so many numbers of people so quickly? His questions and truth-finding help validate Yakama historical accounts. Yet, most history books continue to bypass a crucial historical fact about who started the Yakama War.
Joins us as we share this history - and highlight an ongoing crisis that still connects us to the events that triggered the Yakama War (1855-1858).
Thank you for attending our webinar!
You may now view a recording of the webinar below.
Emily Washines
A scholar and a enrolled Yakama Nation tribal member with Cree & Skokomish lineage. Her research topics include the 1855-58 Yakama War, Native women, traditional knowledge, resource management, fishing rights, & food sovereignty. She holds a BS & BA from CWU & a Masters in Public Administration from Evergreen State College. She is an adjunct faculty member at Yakima Valley College.