Mouth of Homathko River Bute Inlet Frederick Whymper

Mouth of Homathko River, Bute Inlet Frederick Whymper, ca. 1837 -1901

The Chilcotin Conflict War? Massacre? Uprising? Terrorism? Resistance? Murder?

: G I N B O I T ES U Q Was the Chilcotin Conflict a “War”? Definitions Activity • • • Round 1: Definition Round 2: Example Round 3: Sentence using word Round 4: Non-examples Round 5: Add anything that is missing

Context • Gold Rush • Small pox epidemic • Building of the road

Alfred Waddington

Overview • 1864 • Chilcotin War/Bute Inlet Massacre • Confrontation between Tsilhqot’in people and white road construction workers. • Killed: 19 men total

Events • Day 1: Ferryman shot & killed • Day 2: Workers’ camp attacked – William Brewster + 3 others also killed. – Settler at Puntzi Lake killed – Pack train: 3 men killed

Colonial Response • 200 troops + Governor search • “Safe” meeting arranged • 5 Tsilhqot’in men arrested & charged with murder • Tried in Sept 1864 • Said they were waging war, not committing murder • Were found guilty and hanged

Causes? • Fears of smallpox • Providing firearms to Tsilhqot’in when they were suffering from lack of food • Concern over title to land • Native packers in Brewster’s crew starving while white members were well supplied

: G I N B O I T ES U Q Group Work Was the Chilcotin Conflict a “War”? • Read evidence • Complete 2 sheets to analyze & decide • Present conclusion

Reflection Journal • What are your personal views on what the Chilcotin conflict was? Why? Are they different from what your group came up with? • What is the most memorable or interesting that you learned today?