Pacific Northwest indigenous peoples and European/U.S. settlers: First Contact

1st contact: Technology and Disease Even before some Pacific Northwest natives first saw white settlers, they encountered their presence in the form of guns and horses that neighboring tribes had obtained. In addition, Europeans/U.S. residents brought with them foreign diseases that Native peoples had not encountered before, nor were immune against.

Possible effects Increased, quicker, and easier mobility because of European horses Uneven fighting between tribes because of the availability of guns Competition between tribes for food and technology Decimated populations due to famine and disease epidemics

If all this happened even before some tribes had met European settlers, What are some predictions you have about the ways that the arrival of Europeans would further change the lives of tribal nations?

The fur trade began the process of white settlement in Washington Fur traders and trappers were the first permanent white residents in the Pacific NW Pelts were in high demand around the world because it was fashionable to wear fur hats and coats in the United States, China, and Western Europe. White fur trappers began coming to the NW because the climate and physical features were perfect for these fur-bearing animals, and they hadn’t been overhunted yet….

Indigenous peoples and white fur traders: Effects of contact Smallpox epidemics Competition and war Alcoholism Disappearance and extinction of several animal species Discrimination against “half-breeds”

How did these two sets of beliefs differ from each other? Tension building between Native Americans and white settlers… Natives believed: Land was a sacred gift from the earth. It must be respected and treated properly. It provided all they needed to survive. Many settlers believed : Land was a source of wealth. Land existed to be bought, sold, divided, changed, etc. How did these two sets of beliefs differ from each other?

Soon after the fur trade began, missionaries came to the Pacific NW Missionaries (People who believed it was their mission to convert others to their religion/spiritual tradition) came to the NW to convert Coastal and Plateau peoples to Christianity and to provide religious services to white settlers and fur traders. Many of these missionaries believed: Native Americans were savages and needed to be educated because they were uncivilized or simple. Their own culture was superior and that the culture of natives was inferior. It was the destiny of the U.S. (known as Manifest Destiny)to spread their lands, beliefs, and customs across the land.

Indigenous peoples and missionaries: Effects of contact “Conflict of cultures” Poisoning and violence Racism Questioning of Native traditions and beliefs

Who were Dr. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman? In 1836, the Whitmans moved west and established a Mission at Waiilatpu Marcus held church services and practiced medicine Narcissa assisted in ceremonies and taught in the mission school Tried to convert the Cayuse (a Plateau tribe) to Christianity Tried to teach them to be farmers and ranchers

The Failure of the Mission 6 years later, the Whitmans couldn’t convert the Natives The Missionary Board wanted to close it Marcus convinced the board to reverse its decision In 1843, he led the first Great Migration on the Oregon Trail, bringing nearly 900 new white settlers to the region

White Colonization The Whitmans then spent more time helping settlers than converting Cayuse Mission assisted white settlers and increased numbers of non-native people in the area Contact with natives spread infectious diseases like measles How would you feel if you were Native American during this time period?

What happened to the Whitmans? Members of the Cayuse may have acted in retaliation for tribal members killed by whites, in an effort to stop increased immigration into the Walla Walla Valley, or most likely, out of the belief that Marcus Whitman was an evil shaman using measles to kill people. 

Excerpt from an essay about the Cayuse Attack Mission: By 1847, Waiilatpu had grown to a community of 50 to 75 persons including a number of orphans left with the Whitmans. Word of threats against the settlement reached Whitman, but he refused to evacuate. On November 29, Tilaukait and Tamsuky of the Cayuse called Whitman into his kitchen and killed him with a tomahawk. Cayuse warriors then embarked on a killing spree, catching some men at their places of work. Narcissa Whitman was wounded in the shoulder by a bullet. Narcissa and others barricaded themselves into a second floor room, then surrendered when they were assured that they would be safe. The warriors renewed the attacks and killed Narcissa and other prisoners. Those who did not escape were taken hostage. Some of the wounded hostages were killed later. The hostages were ransomed with blankets, shirts, guns, and ammunition supplied by the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Walla Walla. (Historylink.org Essay 5192)

Think about… Why did members of the Cayuse tribe kill the Whitmans and at least 12 other people in 1847? Do you think the murders were justified? Why or why not? How did the new presence of white settlers (fur traders and missionaries) impact Coastal and Plateau peoples?

Where do you think this is going? Fur Trade Missionaries and Pioneers Whitman Massacre Where do you think this is going?

Manifest Destiny Washington Territory established Whitman Massacre (1847) Oregon Territory established, which includes present-day Oregon and Washington (Organic Act of 1848) Washington Territory established (“2nd phase territory” 1853) Isaac Stevens-1st governor The U.S. government begins to formally expand into the Pacific Northwest! Manifest Destiny