Month: August 2018

Anthropology, General History, Oregon Coast, Oregon indians, Siletz Reservation, treaties2 Comments

Estuaries Saved the Coastal Tribes: Section 1- Joel Palmer’s Plan in 1855

David G. Lewis, PhD

I have previously written about how the coastal tribes were relocated to several river estuaries within the Coast Reservation (Siuslaw, Yachats, Alsea, Nashesne, Siletz and Umpqua). There the tribes, mostly from the southern Oregon coast, were not given much in the way of help from the federal government, there was very little money, and their Coast treaty was never ratified.  Despite the formal promises within the Treaties and the additional informal promises of Indian agents, there were few benefits to the tribes from removal to reservations.  They were made to live in these locations on sub-agencies and feed and house … Continue reading Estuaries Saved the Coastal Tribes: Section 1- Joel Palmer’s Plan in 1855

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A Short History of Oregon Tribes in the Contemporary Era

David G. Lewis, PhD

                        (Draft Modified 2018) In,  Murphree, Daniel S. editor, Native America: A State-by-State History, Greenwood Publishing group, 2012.  David G. Lewis, PhD HISTORICAL OVERVIEW The state of Oregon begins its human history at approximately 15,000 B.C.E. Archaeological evidence suggests that native people first entered the eastern parts of the state. However, owing to the environmental differences between the eastern part (arid climate) and the western part of Oregon (acidic soils and degrading coastline), evidence of an early western Oregon entrance has either eroded into the ocean, has degraded, or … Continue reading A Short History of Oregon Tribes in the Contemporary Era

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Klamath Tribal Termination

David G. Lewis, PhD

Essay originally written in 2007. DGlewis Klamath Tribal Termination The last Indian lands, mainly contained within reservations, contained some of the last untouched natural resources in the United States. Many reservations contained significant stands of timber and clean water resources, as well as significant underground mineral deposits. The problems with these natural resources being on reservations was that private companies seeking to mine or log these resources had to not only negotiate with the federal government but also with Indian Tribes. This led to costly legal and economic impediments to the exploitation of these resources. In addition, as some exploitative … Continue reading Klamath Tribal Termination

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Lewis 2008, Termination of the Grand Ronde Tribe, Chapter 11

David G. Lewis, PhD

Lewis, David, Termination of the Confederated tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Dissertation, 2008. (Pre-final draft, 2007) Chapter 11 Conclusion   White Americans are concerned about rights, while Native Americans are more concerned about responsibilities. Roberta Connor, Director Tamaskilist Museum, Confederated tribes of the Umatilla, Willamette University, February 1, 2008   Chapter Outline   This chapter draws together many of the strands of thought presented in this research. Discussed are the resultant effects of termination, including urban Indians and efforts for restoration. Finally, the socio-political situation of the Grand Ronde tribe is … Continue reading Lewis 2008, Termination of the Grand Ronde Tribe, Chapter 11

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Lewis 2008, Termination of the Grand Ronde Tribe, Chapter 10

David G. Lewis, PhD

Lewis, David, Termination of the Confederated tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Dissertation, 2008. (Pre-final Draft, 2007) Chapter 10 Restoration and Identity   This policy of forced termination is wrong, in my judgment… The special relationship between Indians and the Federal government is the result instead of solemn obligations which have been entered into by the United States Government- Richard Nixon Chapter Outline This chapter explores the historical events around restoration of the western Oregon tribes, in particular the Grand Ronde Reservation. I also discuss effects of termination on tribal members and … Continue reading Lewis 2008, Termination of the Grand Ronde Tribe, Chapter 10