Year: 2017

General History, Oral History, Oregon Coast, Oregon indians, Siletz Reservation, Willamette Valley4 Comments

Andrew S. Charles, Siuslaw Informant 1931

David G. Lewis, PhD

In 1931, the coastal tribes were in the midst of a lawsuit against the federal government. The tribes of the southern coast, between the California border and North of Coos Bay, had never been paid for their lands. The tribes signed the 1855 Coast treaty but the treaty was never ratified by Congress, regardless of Joel Palmer’s promises. Many of the tribal members stated in their affidavits that they had trusted the federal government to keep heir word and they had moved to the reservation at Yahats but that the government never ratified the treaty so they were never paid. … Continue reading Andrew S. Charles, Siuslaw Informant 1931

education, Native Issues, Oral History, Personal History, UncategorizedLeave a comment

American Mythic Origins, Thanksgiving, Mascots and the Oregon Trail

David G. Lewis, PhD

Over the last week I have taped at least two shows for the radio about my thoughts about Thanksgiving. Suddenly everyone wants to know what “Natives” think about this holiday. I think its a reaction to recent activities around Native American month and Indigenous People’s days. Indigenous people’s days have now become a big social movement with many cities moving to eliminate Columbus Day, and institute an Indigenous day of recognition in its place. This was a movement I was in the middle of in the 1990s at the University of Oregon, and more recently worked last year to begin … Continue reading American Mythic Origins, Thanksgiving, Mascots and the Oregon Trail

columbia river, General History, Oregon Coast, Oregon indians, treaties2 Comments

The 1851 Tansy Point Treaty Journal: The Clatsop Treaty

David G. Lewis, PhD

For the Tansy Point Treaties, Dart worked to get all the land from the tribes. By this time the tribes had already heard rumors of the treaties, and the plan to remove all tribes to eastern Oregon. Likely, news about the Willamette Valley treaties at Champoeg had already reached the Clatsop. There, the Kalapuyans, beginning with the Santiam tribe, had powerfully held out for a reservation in their traditional lands during days of negotiations. From this news the Clatsop tribe was reassured that they may be able to remain on their lands. Robert Shortess is an interesting figure here. He … Continue reading The 1851 Tansy Point Treaty Journal: The Clatsop Treaty

General History, Oregon Coast, Oregon indians, treaties, Uncategorized1 Comment

The 1851 Treaty Commission: the Ya-su-chah at Port Orford

David G. Lewis, PhD

This second treaty at Port Orford was with a tribe south of the Rogue River, likely the Chetleshin tribe. This is another athapaskan speaking tribe that already had several problems with miners on the coast. The emphasis on maintaining the peace and access of Americans across their lands suggests there were many problems in the area. With these two Port Orford Treaties, the entrance to the Rogue River, and the potential settlements on the coast would be assured. Access to the Rogue River was important to get to the gold region of Oregon, and the future coastal downs at the … Continue reading The 1851 Treaty Commission: the Ya-su-chah at Port Orford

General History, Oregon Coast, Oregon indians, treaties, Uncategorized1 Comment

The 1851 Treaty Commission: Coquille, Euchre, and Tototan at Port Orford

David G. Lewis, PhD

  The Coquille are a Miluk speaking tribe and the other tribes, Euchre Creek and To-to-tan, are athapaskan speaking tribes that already had several problems with explorers and miners on the coast. In fact, T’Vault, who had a role in this treaty, had the majority of his exploratory party killed when he first encountered the Coquille Indians at their village near the present site of Bandon, OR. This had caused retribution on the Coquille by the Army out of Fort Vancouver. The Army they set up a detachment of troops at Fort Orford, near the port, to keep the peace. … Continue reading The 1851 Treaty Commission: Coquille, Euchre, and Tototan at Port Orford