Tribes are sovereign governments. All tribes have their unique history. Their history is unique in many ways from that of the colonial countries that took over their lands. All tribes in the United States and Canada have history before this colonization and a new history afterwards. The new history, whether 400 years old or 100 years old include the removal of the tribes from their traditional lands, the subjugation of their people to new cultures and ways of learning, and a modification of their lifeways. At one dimension that is the way things have always worked in the world, when two people meet one another and collide, there is a negotiation that takes place which is not always fair to all. Usually changes come from those encounters. But what has occurred since the Europeans came is so dramatic that whole societies went extinct by diseases, tribes were imprisoned on reservations, and they were forced to alter their ways of living dramatically.
Still, tribes survived the worst of the catastrophe, or most did, and are now rebuilding. Tribal governments and societies now deserve to begin rebuilding the monuments of their society to empower their people. Healing needs to take place, and concepts and images of empowerment need to be part of what is restored. People need these things to look to for pride in their people, culture and nation.
Some years ago I noticed that this development was missing from the restoration of many tribes, and at my own. As a cultural leader, I engaged in several projects to bring back our tribal names into regular usage, then on erecting tribal monuments within our original lands. I engaged in advisory committees to help drive the development of tribally centered histories and programming. From 2006 to 2014, I was successful in helping name bridges, native centers, schools, and parks. Then numerous tribal histories were erected in our lands to teach everyone our histories. I helped with those projects, writing most of the narrative for the signs. Finally, the ultimate development came with the completing of the tribal museum, and the exhibits curation program. This program became award winning and began numerous projects every year telling different aspects of the tribal story.
There are a few projects which never got instituted. The recognition of tribal holidays and tribal chiefs of the tribe. I was able to get the tribe to post the significant events of the tribe on the various calendars, and reader-boards, but never instituted as official holidays. And- perhaps four years ago I put together list of the chiefs I could find on treaties and documents. This list has never been accepted nor implemented by the tribe. The list is over one hundred individuals. On this Presidents’ Day in the United States 2015, tribal people deserve to know and honor their leaders of the past. Our leaders, chiefs, headmen, and women leaders deserve to be recognized for what they did for the tribe, for their tenacity, for the cost they pay for a thankless job, and for continuing and maintaining the tribe through its hard times. The jobs do not pay nor reward enough those who take the leadership, and in the end, people tend to forget the history of accomplishments. Leadership is more than making decisions, but charting a direction, employing all resources, and gaining the support of the people.
If we think of the tribe as more than a corporation, and business, with only shareholders, then its a hollow shell. The tribe is in reality a society, a tribal community with great diversity and resiliency. The tribal community is more than the sum of the money or the finances that the tribe invests every year. Cultural development needs to be a equal part of what happens at the tribe on a regular basis. The cultural restoration of life-ways, and an equal investment in healing of the tribe from generations, over-160 years of war, disease, genocide, relocation, death, termination, and the loss of identity. This is a long-term persistent, multi-generational set of issues which deserve the full attention of the tribal government. Recognizing our tribal leaders is only one small part of healing from our history.
For those who read this and want to learn of the chiefs of the tribe – Here they are listed. I do not have all of them fully researched, but they all relate to the tribe. There are others as well, please submit information about the following list and the reference to the information. The leaders recognized in history are mostly men, as most-times women’s stories were never taken down nor did the Americans allow women to be in charge of much of anything. But there are significant women leaders from the 1970s to the present that have served the tribe as leaders. (I will work on a companion page that honors the women leaders.)
And, If anyone wants to take on a project to link of the names on the treaties with their names at the reservation, please connect with me.
Early Chiefs of Grand Ronde in Treaties and Other Documents
| Record # | Common Name | Name variants | Title | Tribe/band | Documents signed |
| 1 | Kiakuts | Ki-A-kuts, Ki-ac-Kuts, Ki-a-cut (1851) | Head Chief, first Chief, Principal Chief (1851) | Tualatin (Qualichah), Wapato Lake, Chehalem Band, Tualatin band of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Twalaty Treaty April 19, 1851 |
| 2 | Le Medecin | Le Medecin, Doctor, La Medicine (1851) | Second Chief | Tualatin band of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Twalaty Treaty April 19, 1851 |
| 3 | Wapato Dave | Wapito Dave, Yat-Skaw, or Dave,Yats-kow | Third Chief | Tualatin band of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 |
| 4 | Kno-tah | Subordinate Chief | Twalaty Treaty April 19,1851 | ||
| 5 | Shap-h, or William | First Chief | Yamhill Band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 6 | Yah-whos alias Thomas | Principal Chief | Yamhill | Treaty with Yamhill May 2 1851 | |
| 7 | Es to le alias Henry | Subordinate Chief | Yamhill | Treaty with Yamhill May 2 1851 | |
| 8 | Ai-tip alias Antoine | Subordinate Chief | Yamhill | Treaty with Yamhill May 2 1851 | |
| 9 | Peter Sulkey | Peter Sulkey (Shelkeah, David) | Second Chief | Yamhill Band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 |
| 10 | Cha-ah, or Jesse | Third Chief | Yamhill Band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 11 | Dabo, or Jim, Daboe (1851) | First Chief, Principal Chief | Cheluk-i-ma-uke band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Luckamiute Treaty May 2 1851 | |
| 12 | Sco-la-quit, or John, Scho-la-que (1851) | Second Chiefsubordinate | Cheluk-i-ma-uke band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Luckamiute Treaty May 2 1851 | |
| 13 | Yah-kow or Kompetine, Yoh-kow (1851) | Third Chiefsubordinate | Cheluk-i-ma-uke band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Luckamiute Treaty May 2 1851 | |
| 14 | Ah-mo, or George | First Chief | Chep-en-a-pho or Marysville band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 15 | Himpher, or Hubbard | Second Chief | Chep-en-a-pho or Marysville band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 16 | Oh-no, or Tim | Third Chief | Chep-en-a-pho or Marysville band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 17 | Ma-mah-mo, or Charley Peter | First Chief | Chem-a-pho or Maddy band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 18 | Quineflat, or Ben | Third Chief | Chem-a-pho or Maddy band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 19 | Cha-che-clue, or Tom | Second Chief | Chem-a-pho or Maddy band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 20 | Luck-a-ma-foo, or Antoine, | First Chief | Che-lam-e-la or Long Tom band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 21 | Hoo-til, or Charley | Second Chief | Che-lam-e-la or Long Tom band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 22 | Qui-a-qua-ty, Quia-quaty, Quai-eck-e-te (1851) | First ChiefPrincipal Chief | Mo-lal-la band of Mo-lal-las | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Treaty with Molalle May 6, 1851 | |
| 23 | Chief Yelkas | Yalkus | Second Chief | Mo-lal-la band of Mo-lal-las | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Treaty with Molalle May 6, 1851 |
| 24 | Kow-ka-ma, or Long Hair, Kaw-ka-ma | Third Chief | Mo-lal-la band of Mo-lal-las | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 25 | Crooked Finger | Subordinate Chief | Molalle Tribe | Treaty with Molalle May 6, 1851 | |
| 26 | Kiles, or Jim | First Chief | Calapooia band of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 27 | Kow-ah-tough, or John | Second Chief | Calapooia band of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 28 | Anta-, An-ta | First Chief | Winnefelly and Mohawk bands | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 29 | Quil-al-la, or John | Second Chief | Winnefelly and Mohawk bands | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 30 | Mequah or Dick | Winnefelly and Mohawk bands | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 31 | Yack-a-tee, or Sam, , | First Chief | Tekopa band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 32 | To-phor, or Jim Brown | Second Chief | Tekopa band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 33 | Hal-la-be, or Doctor, Hal-la-le | Tekopa band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 34 | Pulk-tah | Second Chief | Chafan band | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 35 | Tumulth | Tum-walth | First Chief | Wah-lal-la band of Tum-watersCascades tribe | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 |
| 36 | Obanahah | O-ban-a-hah | Second Chief | Wah-lal-la band of Tum-watersCascades Tribe | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 |
| 37 | Chief John Wachino | Watch-a-no, Chief John Wachino | First Chief | Clack-a-mas tribe | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 |
| 38 | Te-ap-i-nick | Second Chief | Clack-a-mas tribe | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 39 | Wal-lah-pi-coto, Wal-lah-pi-cate | Third Chief | Clack-a-mas tribe | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 40 | Oregon City John | Lallak, Lal-bick or John, Oregon City John | Clow-we-wal-la or Willamette Tum-water band; | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 41 | Cuck-a-man-na or David | Clow-we-wal-la or Willamette Tum-water band; | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 42 | Tiacan | Tow-ye-col-la, or Louis | First Chief | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Santiam Treaty of April 16, 1851 |
| 43 | Joseph Hutchins | Yelk-ma, or Jo, Alquema, Joseph Hutchins, Joseph Hudson | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855, Santiam Treaty of April 16, 1851 | |
| 44 | La-ham, or Tom, | Third Chief | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 45 | Joseph Sangretta | Joseph Sanegertta, Joseph Sangretta, Senegertta | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | |
| 46 | Pullican, Pul-i-can | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 47 | Te-na, or Kiles, | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 48 | Pul-kup-li-ma, or John, Pul-kup-ti-ma | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 49 | Sallaf, or Silas | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 50 | Hoip-ke-nek, or Jack | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 51 | Yepta, Yeptah | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 52 | Sat-invose or James, | Santiam bands of Calapooias | Treaty with the Kalapuya Etc. 1855 | ||
| 53 | So-pham | Santiam | Santiam Treaty of April 16, 1851 | ||
| 54 | Coast-nah (1851) | Principal Chief | Santiam Band of Moolalle | Santiam Moolalle Treaty of May 7 1851 | |
| 55 | Chasta Tom | Shasta or Chasta Costa | |||
| 56 | Wakaiisisse | Columbia River | |||
| 57 | James Selquia (Selqia) | Sub-chief | Wapato Band | ||
| 58 | Shmohult | Klamath | |||
| 59 | LeSekes | Klamath | |||
| 60 | Chief Keosnose | Columbia River | |||
| 61 | Polk Scott | Yoncalla | Headman, leader, and organizer of off-reservation gatherings in the southern Willamette Valley. | ||
| 62 | Chief Jo, Aps-er-ka-har, Jo-aps-er-ka-har, Aps-so-ka-hah, Horse-rider, or Jo | Head Chief principal chief | Takelma | Agreement with Rogue River 1853, Rogue River 1853, Amendment 1853, Rogue river treaty 1854 | |
| 63 | To-qua-he-ar, Sam To-qua-he-ar, Ko-ko-ha-wah, Wealthy, or Sam, | Subordinate ChiefSecond chief | Takelma | Agreement with Rogue River 1853, Rogue River 1853, Rogue river treaty 1854, Itchkadowa, Applegate Band of Rogue River Indians (applegate Rpt) | |
| 64 | Te-cum-tom, Elk Killer, or John, Ana-chah-a-rah, John | Fourth Chief | Takelma | Rogue River 1853Rogue River 1854 | |
| 65 | Chol-cul-tah, Joquah Trader, or George | Takelma | Rogue river 1853, Rogue river treaty 1854 | ||
| 66 | Jim Ana-cha-a-rah | Subordinate Chief | Takelma | Agreement with Rogue River 1853, Rogue River 1853, Rogue river treaty 1854 | |
| 67 | Lympe | Takelma | Rogue River 1853 | ||
| 68 | Sambo | Third Chief | Takelma | Rogue river treaty 1854 | |
| 69 | Te-wah-hait, or Elijah | Takelma | Rogue river treaty 1854 | ||
| 70 | Telum-whah, or Bill | Takelma | Rogue river treaty 1854 | ||
| 71 | Hart-tish, or Applegate John | Takelma | Rogue river treaty 1854 | ||
| 72 | Qua-chis, or Jake | Takelma | Rogue river treaty 1854 | ||
| 73 | Tom | Takelma | Rogue river treaty 1854 | ||
| 74 | Henry | Takelma | Rogue river treaty 1854 | ||
| 75 | Louis Nepisank | Napesa, or Louis, Na-pe-se, Louis Nepissank, Louis la Pe Cinque | Head Chief | Umpqua Tribe | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854, Treaty with the Molala 1855 |
| 76 | Peter, or Injice , Peter McCoy (McKay?) | Second Chief | Umpqua tribe | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854, Treaty with the Molala 1855 | |
| 77 | Chief George, Cheen-len-ten or George | Head Chief | Umpqua Tribes | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854, Treaty with the Molala 1855 | |
| 78 | Tas-yah, or General Jackson | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854 | |||
| 79 | Nessick | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854, Treaty with the Molala 1855 | |||
| 80 | Et-na-ma or William, Billy (Molala?) | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854, Treaty with the Molala 1855 | |||
| 81 | Nas-yah or John | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854 | |||
| 82 | Absaquil or Chenook | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854 | |||
| 83 | Jo | Yoncalla | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854 | ||
| 84 | Tom | Chief | Yoncalla | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854 | |
| 85 | Chief Halo | Halo, Halito, Cama-phee-ma, Fearn | Head Chief | Yoncalla | Treaty with Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854? |
| 86 | Chief Bogus | Chief Bogus | Umpqua | Treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya 1854, Treaty with the Molala 1855 | |
| 87 | Quin-ti-oo-san, or Bighead | Principal chief | Cow Creek band of Umpqua Indians | Treaty with the Umpqua- Cow Creek Band, 1853 | |
| 88 | My-n-e-letta, or Jackson | Subordinate Chief | Cow Creek band of Umpqua Indians | Treaty with the Umpqua- Cow Creek Band, 1853 | |
| 89 | Tom, son of Quin-ti-oo-san, | Subordinate Chief | Cow Creek band of Umpqua Indians | Treaty with the Umpqua- Cow Creek Band, 1853 | |
| 90 | Tom, Tal-sa-pe-er | Cow Creek band of Umpqua Indians | Treaty with the Umpqua- Cow Creek Band, 1853 | ||
| 91 | Steencoggy | Molala | Treaty with the Molala 1855 | ||
| 92 | Lattchie | Molala | Treaty with the Molala 1855 | ||
| 93 | Dugings | Molala | Treaty with the Molala 1855 | ||
| 94 | Counisnase | Molala | Treaty with the Molala 1855 | ||
| 95 | Cars | Calapooia or Umpqua? | Treaty with the Molala 1855 | ||
| 96 | Jes-tul-tut, or Little Chief | Quil-si-eton band, of the Chasta tribe of Indians, | Treaty with the Chasta etc. 1854 | ||
| 97 | Ko-ne-che-quot, or Bill | Na-hel-ta band of the Chasta tribe of Indians, | Treaty with the Chasta etc. 1854 | ||
| 98 | Se-sel-che-tel, or Salmon Fisher, Se-sel-chetl | Cow-nan-ti-co, bands of Scotons, | Treaty with the Chasta etc. 1854 | ||
| 99 | Kul-ki-am-i-na, or Bush-head, Kul-ke-am-ina, Bushland | Sa-cher-i-ton, band of Scotons | Treaty with the Chasta etc. 1854 | ||
| 100 | Te-po-kon-ta, or Sam | Na-al-ye band of Scotons | Treaty with the Chasta etc. 1854 | ||
| 101 | Jo | Chief | Grave Creek band of Umpquas | Treaty with the Chasta etc. 1854 | |
| 102 | Bas-ta-shin | Sa-cher-i-ton, band of Scotons | Treaty with the Chasta etc. 1854 |
