Year: 2018

General HistoryLeave a comment

Chinook Survey of Indian Claims 1962, Pt. 2

David G. Lewis, PhD

The Clatsop Chinook Indians won their case against the United States in 1958 (Findings of fact in the The Chinook Tribe and Bands of Indians vs. United States, Docket 234, April 16, 1958). By 1960 the Chinook tribe was beginning the survey of their lands so that they may recommend to the court what they were owed for their lands. The survey was quite extensive, included the going prices of timber, salmon sturgeon and other products that had commercial values. The land was also valued at a 1851 price. The date 1851 related to the year that they had a … Continue reading Chinook Survey of Indian Claims 1962, Pt. 2

anson dart, columbia river, General History, Oregon indians, treaties4 Comments

Lower Chinookan Treaty Territories in 1851

David G. Lewis, PhD

The Columbia River has been divided into different culture areas by anthropologists since the 19th century. They are Upper, middle and lower Chinook areas, or sometimes written as Upper, middle and lower Columbia too. The cultural boundaries have changed several times based on which anthropologist is making the maps. But cultural maps do not abide by the tribal national territories which did exist in a political division of the Columbia region. These divisions were normally based on powerful leaders who are able to gain the support and allegiance of a large area. Kiesno from 1805 to 1848 was one such … Continue reading Lower Chinookan Treaty Territories in 1851

columbia river, General History, Oregon indians, treatiesLeave a comment

Ongoing Chinook Territorial and Recognition Claims, Pt. 1

David G. Lewis, PhD

The Chinook Nation is still seeking recognition in 2018, despite having one of the oldest and longest relationships with the United States of any tribe on the West Coast. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached their final destination on the Columbia River, within the territory of the Clatsop and other Chinookan tribes of the lower Columbia. The expedition built a cabin, Fort Clatsop, and lived there throughout the winter of 1805-1806. During this time, the expedition members interacted daily with Chinookan peoples, trading with them, having visits with tribal leaders and mapping and recording the territory up and … Continue reading Ongoing Chinook Territorial and Recognition Claims, Pt. 1

assimilation, General History, Kalapuya, Native Issues, Oregon indians, Uncategorized, Willamette Valley2 Comments

Methodists in Oregon

David G. Lewis, PhD

Reverend Jason Lee established the first Methodist Mission near Champoeg in 1835. By 1839 the mission had been damaged by flood waters and Lee established another farm and school in what is now downtown Salem. Lee had the sawmill built first, and with the sawed timbers built first the grist mill then his house on Broadway at the Liberty interchange along Chemeketa Creek (Mill Creek)( the house is now situated at Willamette Heritage Center) and then the mission school, at what is now Willamette University. Many of the students at the first mission were taken off of the French Prairie and … Continue reading Methodists in Oregon

General History, Oregon indians, treaties, Umpqua Valley11 Comments

The Temporary Cow Creek Umpqua Reservation

David G. Lewis, PhD

The Cow Creek Umpquas were a Takelman speaking tribe of native peoples related to the Takelma peoples of the Rogue River Valley. The Cow Creek peoples resided in the Cow Creek watershed and parts of the southeastern Umpqua Valley. In 1853, Joel Palmer wrote the first treaty of all Oregon tribal treaties to be eventually ratified by the United States Congress. Palmer, in 1853 was still attempting to get all of the western tribes to move to the Umatilla region of Eastern Oregon. However, the tribes were not accepting of such a drastic move and declined, forcing Palmer to arrange … Continue reading The Temporary Cow Creek Umpqua Reservation