Look closer at Wright

Across this nation, many monuments and symbols representing and continuing to influence social injustice are being questioned. The Pacific Northwest can seem somewhat removed from these events, but certainly it should not be considered immune. For instance, the name Col. George Wright.

Col. George Wright, in command of artillery, infantry and cavalry in September 1858, “successfully battled” Native Americans near Four Lakes.

On Sept. 8-9, this Army force massacred 800 horses of Native Americans near Liberty Lake.

Two weeks later, on Sept. 25, a Native American named Qualchan voluntarily presented to the military camp. Wright ordered him arrested and, along with possibly six others, executed them by hanging. The area is still referred to as Hangman Valley with Latah Creek (formerly Hangman Creek) running through it. And then there is Hangman Valley Golf Course.

These events have been documented historically – including a book titled “Hang ’em All,” of all things.

To continue the use of Wright as a fort, as a drive or as an elementary school is minimally an embarrassment, if not a nod to cultural genocide, an affront to the descendants of those Native Americans and a crime against humanity.

And again, there is Hangman Valley Golf Course.

James H. Wilkey

Spokane Valley