The name "Leschi" peppers our landscape - from streets to parks and schools. But who was he? How did the people he lived with see him? How do we know him today?
You are going to focus on the life of this famous Nisqually man who became a leader to his people. By looking at very old documents and photos, you are going to explore how different people felt about him.
During your exploration, you will be taking on the role of a reporter traveling back in time. You will be taken back to the year 1858 to speak to this Nisqually leader.
But first, you need to find out more - the "Who", "Where", "When", "Why" and "What" of the story. By following the webquest, you will be able to discover more about Leschi so that you can answer these questions of the past.
This story begins with a period of time more than 100 years ago in western Washington state. It is the story of a tribe of Native American people who called themselves Squally-absch, or Nisqually.
You will begin by reading about the Medicine Creek Treaty. As you read about this treaty, use the vocabulary organizer to keep track of any words that you don't know. Ask a fellow student, parent or your teacher what they think the words mean as you finish. You can use a dictionary to help you.
After you have read this article, take a look at the maps below.
- What is a treaty?
- Why didn't Leschi want to sign the Medicine Creek treaty?
- What was at stake for the tribes? What was at stake for the U.S. government?
- What were the effects of the treaty on the Nisqually people?
Now you are going to read about Leschi himself. Look at this biography to find out more about who he was. To find the places in this story, you can examine this historic map of the Indian War battlefields.
You can use this timeline to help you keep track of what happened.
Just like detectives, good reporters look for evidence to build the articles that they write, using the things they find out to help decide what questions they are going to ask their subject. They also use these details to help tell the rest of their story. Reporters share pieces of information with their readers so that they can see the setting where the article takes place.
Visit the web gallery to examine clues about Leschi's life. You will be viewing people, documents and artifacts that will tell you more about what happened. Some of these people will have a bias against or for Leschi. Part of your job is to try and find out the true story based on the different things that you have read.
While you look at these pictures, use the artifact analysis sheet to make notes about what you see.
Bias: A bias is when a point of view or the way a person feels about something affects how they think.
Sometimes, a bias can affect historical documents too. As you read today, think about the people who wrote what you are reading. Did they like Leschi? Did they hate him? Think about how hard it is to be fair to someone that you dislike. Ask yourself as you read how these people's feelings changed the way that they described Leschi.
When reading about things that happened over one hundred and fifty years ago, it's hard to ask people questions. But we can read accounts of the past to find out more about what happened to Leschi.
Pick one of the accounts below and use the document analysis sheet to help you find information about Leschi. Don't forget to use your timeline as it will help you keep track of important dates.
Interview with Mary Leschi, second wife of Leschi
Letter written by Isaac Stevens, Governor of Washington Territory
The Truth Teller, believed to have been written by Lieutenant August Kautz
- Who was the person that told the story?
- Do you think that this person liked Leschi? Why or why not?
- How did what you read match up with some of the things that have already been discussed about Leschi?
- Based on this reading, what kind of person do you think Leschi was? Do you agree or disagree with what the writer or person interviewed had to say?
- Do you think they told the truth about what kind of man Leschi was? Why or why not?
- Talk to one of your classmates who read a different story. How are your stories different in what they say about Leschi and what happened? What things do they agree upon?
Now that you have discovered clues about who Leschi was, you are ready for the last part of your journey. It is now time to imagine that you have been sent back in time to speak to Leschi in 1858. Remember what you have read. What happened in 1858? Where would Leschi be? What would he have to say to you?
Use the Interview sheet to write out your questions and to imagine his answers. This is your chance to share the facts about what you believe really happened and to tell the truth of who he was.
Gwen Perkins
School Programs Coordinator
Washington State Historical Society, 2006