Indigenous Voices from Fort Nisqually: Recent Episodes
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
In 2021, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum brought together a panel of historians to discuss the legacy of the Puget Sound Treaty War (1855-1856). With representatives from the Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, Steilacoom, and Squaxin Island Tribes, as well as Fort Nisqually Living History Museum and HistoryLink.org, the panel introduced a new dialogue among diverse communities impacted by the War and its aftermath.
The Indigenous Voices Podcast is an extension of this award winning series. The podcast uplifts tribal voices in the telling of Puget Sound history, sharing tribal knowledge and expertise with wider audiences.
This podcast is generously supported by the City of Tacoma Historic Preservation Office and the Tacoma Arts Commission.
The United States’ boarding school program was designed to strip Native children of their culture by isolating them from their families and placing them into militant style, religious boarding schools. Our second and third episodes discuss two schools in particular, the Puyallup Indian School, located on Squaxin Island, and the Cushman Indian School, located in Tacoma.
This is part 2 of a 2-part episode.
Panelists include:
- Amber Taylor, Assistant Director/Collections Manager, Puyallup Tribe
- Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe
- Charlene Krise, Executive Director of the Squaxin Island Tribe Museum Library Research Center
- Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office
- Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
Learn more at our tribal partners websites and fortnisqually.org
Resources:
Tribal Websites
- https://www.puyalluptribe-nsn.gov/about-our-tribe/historic-preservation/
- https://squaxinislandmuseum.org/
- http://www.nisqually-nsn.gov/index.php/heritage/
- https://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us/depts/preservation#:~:text=The%20mission%20of%20the%20Preservation,as%20the%20Muckleshoot%20Indian%20Tribe
Media
- Reservation Dogs
- 1883
- Indian Horse https://www.indianhorse.ca/en
- Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's https://gimletmedia.com/shows/stolen
Since Time Immemorial Curriculum https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/john-mccoy-lulilas-time-immemorial-tribal-sovereignty-washington-state
Federal Indian Boarding School Investigative Report https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/inline-files/bsi_investigative_report_may_2022_508.pdf
The United States’ boarding school program was designed to strip Native children of their culture by isolating them from their families and placing them into militant style, religious boarding schools. Our second and third episodes discuss two schools in particular, the Puyallup Indian School, located on Squaxin Island, and the Cushman Indian School, located in Tacoma.
This is part 1 of a 2-part episode.
Panelists include:
- Amber Taylor, Assistant Director/Collections Manager, Puyallup Tribe
- Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe
- Charlene Krise, Executive Director of the Squaxin Island Tribe Museum Library Research Center
- Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office
- Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
Learn more at our tribal partners websites and fortnisqually.org
Resources:
Tribal Websites
- https://www.puyalluptribe-nsn.gov/about-our-tribe/historic-preservation/
- https://squaxinislandmuseum.org/
- http://www.nisqually-nsn.gov/index.php/heritage/
- https://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us/depts/preservation#:~:text=The%20mission%20of%20the%20Preservation,as%20the%20Muckleshoot%20Indian%20Tribe
Media
- Reservation Dogs
- 1883
- Indian Horse https://www.indianhorse.ca/en
- Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's https://gimletmedia.com/shows/stolen
Since Time Immemorial Curriculum https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/john-mccoy-lulilas-time-immemorial-tribal-sovereignty-washington-state
Federal Indian Boarding School Investigative Report https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/inline-files/bsi_investigative_report_may_2022_508.pdf
Season 2, Episode 1 of the Indigenous Voices Podcast focuses on the Fox Island Council, the reasons communities moved into this camp, and the conditions they lived in.
Season 1 of the Indigenous Voice Podcast explored the experiences of being Native in the Puget Sound Region. Panelists discussed everything from food sovereignty to language revitalization, ending the season in a 2-part episode about the monuments and memorials of the Puget Sound Treaty War throughout Western Washington. In the first episode of season 2, panelists pick up shortly after the conclusion of the Treaty War with the Fox Island Council.
Panelists include:
- Amber Taylor, Assistant Director/Collections Manager, Puyallup Tribe
- Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe
- Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office
- Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
Learn more at our tribal partners websites and fortnisqually.org
Resources:
To view transcriptions of the Fox Island Council minutes please visit https://catalog.archives.gov/id/117093019 The documents referenced in this episode begin on page 10.
Monuments and memorials to the Treaty War can be found throughout Western Washington. Many of these monuments were placed over a century ago and reflect a one-sided and racist view of the conflict.
In episodes 11 and 12 we discuss these monuments, how tribal participants experience them, and we ask what a monument that provides an opportunity for reconciliation and learning would look like.
Panelists include:
- Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe
- Danny Marshall, Chairperson, Steilacoom Indian Tribe
- Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office
- Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
Learn More at our tribal partner websites and fortnisqually.org.
Monuments and memorials to the Treaty War can be found throughout Western Washington. Many of these monuments were placed over a century ago and reflect a one-sided and racist view of the conflict.
In episodes 11 and 12 we discuss these monuments, how tribal participants experience them, and we ask what a monument that provides an opportunity for reconciliation and learning would look like.
Panelists include:
- Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe
- Danny Marshall, Chairperson, Steilacoom Indian Tribe
- Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office
- Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
Learn More at our tribal partner websites and fortnisqually.org.
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, formally Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, was established in 1974 as part of the National Park Service's Registry of Natural Landmarks. The refuge is also the site of the 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty signing.
In this episode we visit the refuge and discuss how tribal sovereignty relates to the Refuge, how changes in the landscape affects sense of place, and ongoing efforts to protect sacred land.
Billy Frank Jr was known for his activism during the second treaty war, also known as the fishing wars of the 1970s. Frank organized fish-ins which led to the Boldt Decision of 1974, a federal court case that reaffirmed tribal fishing rights. Frank was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. In 2021, Washington Governor, Jay Inslee signed legislation to honor Frank with a statue in the National Statuary Hall in DC. Once complete, this statue will replace that of Marcus Whitman, an early missionary to the region.
Panelists include:
- Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office
- Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
- Additional comments provided by Kurtis Bullchild, Archives Tech, Nisqually Indian Tribe
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, formally Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, was established in 1974 as part of the National Park Service's Registry of Natural Landmarks. The refuge is also the site of the 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty signing. In this episode we visit the refuge and ask panelists to describe the landscape, share stories related to the treaty signing, and discuss the importance of this land to tribal people. Billy Frank Jr was known for his activism during the second treaty war, also known as the fishing wars of the 1970s. Frank organized fish-ins which led to the Boldt Decision of 1974, a federal court case that reaffirmed tribal fishing rights. Frank was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. In 2021, Washington Governor, Jay Inslee signed legislation to honor Frank with a statue in the National Statuary Hall in DC. Once complete, this statue will replace that of Marcus Whitman, an early missionary to the region. Panelists include: Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Additional comments provided by Kurtis Bullchild, Archives Tech, Nisqually Indian Tribe
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, formally Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, was established in 1974 as part of the National Park Service's Registry of Natural Landmarks. The refuge is also the site of the 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty signing. In this episode we visit the refuge and ask panelists to describe the landscape, share stories related to the treaty signing, and discuss the importance of this land to tribal people. Billy Frank Jr was known for his activism during the second treaty war, also known as the fishing wars of the 1970s. Frank organized fish-ins which led to the Boldt Decision of 1974, a federal court case that reaffirmed tribal fishing rights. Frank was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. In 2021, Washington Governor, Jay Inslee signed legislation to honor Frank with a statue in the National Statuary Hall in DC. Once complete, this statue will replace that of Marcus Whitman, an early missionary to the region. Panelists include: Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Additional comments provided by Kurtis Bullchild, Archives Tech, Nisqually Indian Tribe
In September 2022, the Puget Sound Treaty War Panel series was recognized, along with 52 other recipients nationwide, by the Ahttps://aaslh.org/ (merican Association for State and Local History) for a Leadership in History Award. The award recognizes achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Earlier this summer, panel participants gathered at the https://alhfam.org/ (Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums )Conference, both in-person and virtually, to discuss the development of the panel series with museum audiences. The panelists shared their thoughts on the program’s development and evolution, its successes and challenges, and what it means to come together as a diverse group of historians to share this history. To celebrate the program’s recognition this month, we wanted to share this conversation, in two parts. This is part one. Panelists include: Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe Charlene Krise, Executive Director of the Squaxin Tribe Museum Library Research Center Elizabeth Rudrud, Events and Volunteer Coordinator, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Jennifer Ott, Assistant Director, HistoryLink Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
In September 2022, the Puget Sound Treaty War Panel series was recognized, along with 52 other recipients nationwide, by the https://aaslh.org/ (American Association for State and Local History) for a Leadership in History Award. The award recognizes achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Earlier this summer, panel participants gathered at the https://alhfam.org/ (Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums) Conference, both in-person and virtually, to discuss the development of the panel series with museum audiences. The panelists shared their thoughts on the program’s development and evolution, its successes and challenges, and what it means to come together as a diverse group of historians to share this history. To celebrate the program’s recognition this month, we wanted to share this conversation, in two parts. This is part one. Panelists include: Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe Charlene Krise, Executive Director of the Squaxin Tribe Museum Library Research Center Elizabeth Rudrud, Events and Volunteer Coordinator, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Jennifer Ott, Assistant Director, HistoryLink Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
In the 6th episode, we discuss tribal sovereignty and how sovereignty relates to intergovernmental relationships and tribal identity. While the term itself is often understood as a legal recognition of treaty tribes as sovereign nations that possess self-government, sovereignty also encompasses the cultural and historical traditions. It is important to note that Tribal Sovereignty pre-dates the United States and the U.S. Constitution. Panelists include: Danny Marshall, Chairperson, Steilacoom Indian Tribe Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
In this episode we discuss how modern language revitalization programs are connected to tribal identity and tribal resilience. We speak with two language keepers, Janice Hicks-Bullchild, a language student from the Nisqually Tribe and Rose Davis, a language teacher from the Muckleshoot Tribe of Indians. Panelists include: Janice Hicks-Bullchild, Nisqually Tribe of Indians Rose Davis, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
In our fourth episode we discuss food sovereignty and how the movement of food sovereignty relates to the protection of treaty rights won in the Puget Sound Treaty War. This episode references the fishing wars of the 1970s and the resulting Boldt decision as well as two recent legal battles over treaty rights – the 2018 Culverts Case in which the Supreme Court upheld a ruling that culverts constructed by Washington state blocked salmon runs and the recent dismissal of charges against two Tulalip fishermen brought by the State’s Department of Fish and Wildlife for alleged shellfish trafficking. Panelists include: Danny Marshall, Chairperson, Steilacoom Indian Tribe Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
In our third episode, we wanted to learn more about cultural distinctions and inter tribal relationships among Coast Salish tribes in the pre-Treaty Era. We also discuss how these relationships were impacted by the arrival of non-native communities and the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854.
In the second episode of Indigenous Voices we ask our panelists how they first learned about the Puget Sound Treaty war and we discuss how the non-native telling of the war has shifted over time. Panelists include: Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe Charlotte Basch, Historic Education Coordinator, Puyallup Tribe Danny Marshall, Chairperson, Steilacoom Indian Tribe Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office
Learn More at our tribal partner websites and https://my.captivate.fm/fortnisqually.org (fortnisqually.org).
Episode 1 of Indigenous Voices Podcast focuses on the experience of being Native and how that informs one’s understanding of the Puget Sound Treaty War. Last year’s panel series presented new concepts and new ways to think about the war. At times, it challenged popular understandings of the conflict, which has predominately been told from a non-native perspective. In our first podcast, we wanted to take a step back. Panelists include: Brandon Reynon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Puyallup Tribe Charlotte Basch, Historic Education Coordinator, Puyallup Tribe Danny Marshall, Chairperson, Steilacoom Indian Tribe Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
Learn More at our tribal partner websites and fortnisqually.org.
In 2021, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum brought together a panel of historians to discuss the legacy of the Puget Sound Treaty War (1855-1856). With representatives from the Muckleshoot, http://www.nisqually-nsn.gov/ (Nisqually), http://www.puyallup-tribe.com/ (Puyallup), http://steilacoomtribe.blogspot.com/ (Steilacoom), and https://squaxinisland.org/ (Squaxin Island) Tribes, as well as Fort Nisqually Living History Museum and HistoryLink.org, the panel introduced a new dialogue among diverse communities impacted by the War and its aftermath. The Indigenous Voices Podcast is an extension of this award winning series. The podcast uplifts tribal voices in the telling of Puget Sound history, sharing tribal knowledge and expertise with wider audiences. This podcast is generously supported by the City of Tacoma Historic Preservation Office and the Tacoma Arts Commission.