This unit explores the life and legacy of Ishi, the last known member of the Yahi people, as a gateway to understanding Indigenous history, culture, and resilience. Through his story, students investigate the cultural values, survival strategies, and spiritual practices of the Yahi, while critically examining how Ishi has been represented and sometimes misrepresented in history and media. The unit also addresses broader themes of cultural erasure, Indigenous leadership, and the ethical considerations surrounding Ishi’s experiences both in life and after death. By engaging with these topics, students develop empathy and a nuanced appreciation of Indigenous identities, the impact of colonization, and the ongoing efforts toward cultural preservation, repatriation, and justice.

Core Themes:

• History and sovereignty

• Cultural strengths and Indigenous knowledge systems

• Culturally Relevant Terminology

• Tribal Nations and Political Identity

Students Will:

• Explore the life of Ishi to understand Yahi cultural values, history, and survival practices.

• Analyze how geography and environment shaped the Yahi way of life.

• Identify and critique common stereotypes and misrepresentations of Ishi in media and historical accounts.

• Examine Yahi cultural practices, including language, toolmaking, and ceremonial traditions, with an emphasis on reciprocity.

• Reflect on the legacy of Ishi, including ethical issues surrounding repatriation and cultural preservation.

• Understand the concept of cultural erasure and its impact on Indigenous communities using Ishi’s story as a case study.

• Investigate the forms of Indigenous leadership demonstrated by Ishi and others.

• Assess the challenges Ishi faced living in San Francisco and the broader implications of Indigenous survival in settler societies.

• Evaluate the treatment of Ishi after death, discussing the balance between scientific inquiry and cultural respect.