"war places humans in the extremes of life and death. It is often at such a crux that religious faith is questioned or called upon. In fact, all of the intertwining social aspects of a culture, birth, life, food, ritual, etc. can take place on a battlefield." Lori Orr-Chevez

During the last half of the 1850's, the indigenous people of Washington Territory fought to defend their traditional territory from increasingly numerous white immigrants in search of land. The groups that fought held radically different understandings of land, mans place in the natural world, and spiritual life. Like indigenous people everywhere, the indigenous people of Washington fought and died to preserve their way and understanding of life. The book Kamiakin: The Last Hero of the Yakima, published in 1914, by A. Jack Splawn tells the stories of the Indian wars in Washington Territory and his life on the frontier. Jack Splawn followed his brother, Charles, to Washington Territory in 1860 at the age of 15. Over the years, he interviewed many of the participants in the battles. The book includes a history of the wars and his life on the frontier. This website is an attempt to provide context to the book and make it accessible.