Whitman Mission NHS movie

About this Video

• Video Title: Whitman Mission NHS movie
• Channel: Whitman Mission NHS
• Speakers: Multiple speakers (names not provided in transcript)
• Duration: 00:24:58

Introduction

This video recounts the history of the Whitman Mission in the Walla Walla Valley, focusing on the arrival of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, the first non-Native American women to cross the continent, and their missionary work among the Cayuse people. It details the escalating tensions, cultural misunderstandings, disease outbreaks, and the eventual massacre at the mission in 1847, highlighting the tragic consequences of cultural clash and the lasting impact on the Cayuse people and the westward expansion of the United States.

Key Takeaways

• Early Contact and Prophecy: Before European arrival, Plateau Indians had a prophecy foretelling the coming of a new people and subsequent difficult times.
• Missionary Arrival: In 1836, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, along with other missionaries, journeyed west to spread Christianity amongst the Cayuse and other tribes of the Columbia Plateau. Narcissa and Eliza Spalding were the first non-Indian women to complete the journey.
• Cultural Misunderstanding: Significant cultural differences and language barriers led to misunderstandings and conflict between the Whitmans and the Cayuse. The Whitmans' preaching style, particularly the emphasis on hell, was perceived as aggressive and threatening by the Cayuse.
• Disease and Death: The arrival of immigrants brought diseases like measles which devastated the Cayuse population. The Cayuse believed the Whitmans were responsible, further fueling existing tensions.
• Massacre and Aftermath: In 1847, the Whitman Mission was attacked, resulting in the deaths of Marcus Whitman, other missionaries, and several Cayuse. This event became a justification for further westward expansion and violence against Native Americans. The Cayuse were severely impacted by disease and subsequent violence, losing much of their land.