For the Nisqually a difference with Pioneers related to land ownership and borders. Theirs was open, for the Pioneers, it was fences. Once with a large population, the Nisqually Indian Tribe has but 588 members today. Over the years many died of Smallpox, Malaria and Cholera. But their population decline was not just caused by disease. They had a “tall poppy” who other Native Peoples looked up to. They called him Chief Leschi. Do we need to tell the real story? Most accounts read the same: tried twice for the same crime that a judge declared was not a crime … fighting in a vain attempt to save the Camas fields that supplied the Indigenous winter carbohydrates and vitamins. He died trying to save both their forest glades and groves. His language family was Salishan, that spoken is/was Whulshootseed. They
live today with other Nisqually, and descendants. While the History Farm is behind a visible fence and we celebrate the Pioneers of 120 years ago and the Explorers of 240 years ago … the Nisqually Indian Tribe prospered here for 10,000s of years. By design, Nisqually are not included in mainstream America, their diversity not easily appreciated. Most are now surrounded by an invisible economic fence; look for them on 4,800 acres, on the Nisqually Indian Reservation, by/in Western Pierce County and eastern Thurston County. Pictured is a gallows on which a Hispanic woman died in the Northwest’s early history. A debate at the Farm is, “Should we show Chief Leschi’s gallows?” Arizona must believe it to be useful to show gallows to the next generation. They showcase one in Tuscon in telling their history.
http://www.nisqually-nsn.gov/index.php/administration/tribal-services/community-services/archives/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leschi_(Native_American_leader)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome
https://www.historylink.org/File/22909
An Australian & New Zealand description, a tall poppy describes treatment by others of a:
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