Day: April 5, 2020

General History, Oregon indians, Umpqua ValleyLeave a comment

Coles Valley settlers want the Resources on the Umpqua Reservation, 1854

David G. Lewis, PhD

The following two letters are an example of how the settlers could not live with the tribal people having any resources. The settlers in 1854 had won, and they were about to gain the whole Umpqua Valley. There had been no war or any real conflicts from the Umpqua tribes. The tribes of the Umpqua Valley, numerous bands of the Yoncalla Kalapuya, the upper Umpqua, the Southern Molalla and the Cow Creek band were completely removed to reservations by summer of 1855. (except the Molalla who were not moved until December) The only real conflict was from the settlers who … Continue reading Coles Valley settlers want the Resources on the Umpqua Reservation, 1854

Anthropology, General History, Grand Ronde Reservation, Oregon indians, Umpqua Valley3 Comments

The Umpqua River Indians Prepare for Removal

David G. Lewis, PhD

William Martin, the Sub-Indian Agent of the Umpqua and Coos Bay was appointed to the position by Joel Palmer in June 1853. He worked to understand the tribes of the Umpqua better, to follow Palmer’s orders and describe the tribes as best as he could. He did this for more than six months without even knowing what his salary was to be. The Umpqua Valley was exceedingly complex with at least four different tribes from different languages living in the valley. There were the Upper Umpqua, a somewhat scattered group of people speaking athapaskan language, perhaps the most northern of … Continue reading The Umpqua River Indians Prepare for Removal