Videos and Readings

Local History

The Modoc War- (57 Mins)                                                                                                                                                           

            Oregon Public Broadcasting's presentation on the causes and effects of the Modoc War of 1872-1873. The Modoc War was one of the most dramatic American Indian wars in U.S. history. The Modoc War began in November 1872 when the military tried to force a small band of Modoc Indians, led by Captain Jack, to a reservation. 

      The Modocs took refuge in an ancient lava flow that became their stronghold. The Modocs knew the land and used it to their advantage. Twisting lava tubes and hidden caves created the perfect hideout for fifty-five   Modoc warriors and their families. 

      By the end, the Modocs were fighting off a force of nearly 1,000 men, made up of both military soldiers and civilian volunteers. Again and again, the small band of Indians overcame incredible odds to protect their way of life. But it could not last. Their world was about to change forever.

How the West Was Lost: Modoc: Death Will Come Soon Enough- (50 Mins)        

      A documentary produced in 1993 by the discovery channel covering the events of the Modoc war. This program follows the Actions of the Modoc Tribe and it's key figures, Hooker Jim, Scarface Charlie-and Captain Jack, who is ultimately betrayed by some of his own people.  This video includes commentary by noted historians, tribal members and descendants of several of the Modoc warriors. This was one episode of a series of thirteen produced covering westward expansion across the North American continent during the latter half of the 19th Century from the point of view of the Native American peoples.

How the West Was Lost: Nez Perce- I WIll Fight No More- (50 Mins)        

      A documentary produced in 1993 by the discovery channel covering the history of the Nez Perce war and the leadership of Chief Joseph.

Standing Strong: The Tribal Nations of Western Oregon- (55 Mins)  

      This documentary produced by Metzler media discusses 5 of the 9 recognized tribes in Oregon: the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, The Coquille Indian Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw. During Oregon's Sesquicentennial this program was produced to celebrate these sovereign nations and the history of the Native American who inhabited these lands since time immemorial.

Oregon Experience- Broken Treaties- (59 Mins)  

      A PBS documentary which discusses the history of the dealings between the United States government and the sovereign Native American nations in the state of Oregon. This details the making and breaking of treaties with the federal government and introduces viewers to the many Native groups, telling a story often ignored in modern accounts.

Your Land, My Land- The Klamath Tribes- (39 Mins)  

      A documentary created by the Klamath Tribes.

Killing the Klamath- (21 Mins)  

      The Klamath Tribes are fighting to save their sacred C’waam and Koptu fish before it’s too late. This is a wonderful documentary created by the Klamath Tribes.

The Creation- Oregon Native American Reservation Documentary- (35 Mins)  

     Central Oregon's Tribal Reservation of 'Warm Springs' is in an area of isolation, poverty, and culture. This film showcases Unexpected individuals leading the way in artistic and personal pursuits. Looking beneath the surface at a harsh reality of drugs, violence, poverty, and political inequality. As well of views on the local politics and insight on the culture and lifestyle here.

National History

America's Great Indian Leaders- (54 Mins)  

      The dramatic stories of four heroic Native American leaders are retold using archival photographs, reenactments and narration by present-day members of their respective tribes. The battles and achievements of Geronimo, war-chief of the Apache; Quanah Parker, the dauntless Comanche; Chief Joseph, valiant leader of the Nez Perce; and Crazy Horse, legendary Lakota Sioux warrior are faithfully portrayed. Produced by Questar entertainment.

America's Great Indian Nations- (54 Mins)  

      This is the first comprehensive history of six great Indian nations, dramatically filmed on location at their native tribal lands across America, using reenactments, archival footage, maps and original music. The story of the Iroquois, Seminole, Shawnee, Navajo, Cheyenne, and Lakota Sioux nations unfolds in their struggle to protect their lands, cultures, and freedoms. Produced by Questar entertainment.

Colorado Experience- Sand Creek Massacre- (58 Mins)  

      What would lead approximately 675 volunteer soldiers to attack a peaceful settlement of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians in the Southeastern Colorado Territory? On November 29, 1864, Colonel John Chivington led a group to do just that, resulting in the deaths of over two hundred men, women, and children. This episode revisits the horrific events and uncovers the history 150 years later. Produced by Rocky Mountain PBS

Crazy Horse- Dynamite and Dreams: The World's Largest Mountain Carving- (40 Mins)  

      This is a documentary on the world's largest mountain carving located in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Tasunke Witko (Crazy Horse): A Documentary Film- (31 Mins)  

      Historical documentary on the Ute Indian People of Utah and Colorado. Shot on 16mm film in the mid-1990s.

Ute History Documentary- Spirit of the Nuche- (54 Mins)  

      Historical documentary on the Ute Indian People of Utah and Colorado. Shot on 16mm film in the mid-1990s.

IV. The Modoc War: Heartbreak of a Homeland Lost- by Cheewa James (www.cheewa.com)

                          Cheewa James, the grea-granddaughter of Modoc Warrior Shkeitko, "Shacknasty Jim," has written and lectured extensively on Modoc history. 

                  Her works include Modoc: The Tribe That Wouldn't Die and Catch the Whisper of the Wind. This is a brief description of the Modoc war and an excellent 

                   read. (25 pages) 

V. Heroes or Villains: The 1873 Modoc War Crimes Trials

                        A shortened version of a larger article published in 1999 about the trial of Captain Jack and his followers. This article is also available on the Klamath 

                   Tribes (7 Pages)

VI. Imperfect Justice: The Modoc War Crimes Trial

                        The full length article from the Oregon Historical Quarterly discusses the events of the  criminal trial of the Modoc prisoners of war in 1873. An 

              excellent read for students interested in the history of the Modoc war and the abuses of power which resulted in the execution of Captain Jack and his fellow

                warriors. (42 pages)

VII. Wigwam and Warpath: The Royal Chief in Chains- by Alfred Meacham 

                        This book, written in 1875, recounts Mr. Meacham's thirty years' experience among the Indian tribes of the North-west, and his official career as 

              Superintendent of Indian affairs in Oregon, together with his participation in the tragic  events of the Lava Bed where he was wounded as General Canby

              was killed and saved by Winema. Meacham speaks out              against the abuses of native peoples and shares first hand accounts of many important events

              Download the pdf  and read it on your personal device today!! (744 pages)

VIII. Winema (The Woman Chief) and Her People- by Alfred Meacham 

                        Published in 1876, this book was "written with the avowed purpose of doing honor to the heroic Wi-ne-ma who at  the peril of her life sought to save 

                the ill fated peace commission to the Modoc Indians in 1873. The woman to whom the writer is indebted, under God, for saving his life;" as stated by the

                author Alfred Meacham. Meacham spent much of his life working for justice for Native American peoples. This is a pdf and can be downloaded and read on 

                your personal device or read on your computer. (208 pages)

IX. The Life of Alfred B. Meacham Together With His Lecture: The Tragedy of the Lava Beds- by T. A. Bland

                        In 1883 T. A. Bland published a short biography of Alfred Meacham which included his lecture on the Tragedy of the Lava Beds. Meacham traveled the United 

                States with several Modoc warriors giving lectures and bringing attention to the plight of these Native peoples. Meacham was an strong advocate for Oregon's

                 Native tribes (48 pages)

X. The Indian History of the Modoc War and the Causes that Led to it- by Jeff Riddle

                        Jefferson Riddle was the son of Frank and Tobey Riddle, both of whom played prominent roles in the Modoc War. Riddle's book   vividly chronicles this episode 

               of Western history. Only ten years old, the author, then known by the Modoc name "Charka," experienced the  conflict firsthand. The account was written "to give

               both sides of the troubles of the Modoc Indians and the whites." (298 pages)

XI. The Modoc War- by Erwin Thompson

                        Written in partnership with the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior this book is a detailed account of the Modoc War;  its causes 

                and impact. An excellent overview with a lot of good information that brings this important event to life for the reader. (264 pages)