The War on Illahee

In his compelling exploration of the small but significant wars of the 1850s in the American Pacific Northwest, Marc James Carpenter sheds light on the broader genocidal context known as the War on Illahee, aimed at seizing Native land for Euro-Americans. Utilizing accounts from both the perpetrators and Indigenous survivors, Carpenter uncovers the complexities of how these violent events were recorded, commemorated, and ultimately erased from history. This insightful work not only redefines the narrative surrounding pioneer atrocities but also prompts critical discussions about settler colonialism, historical memory, and the nature of historical documentation today.