Records of the Mountain Molalla are very limited. Besides a few records of the tribe living around Pleasant Hill, at Lost Valley, there is nearly nothing known of their culture and territory. They were interrelated with the local Kalapuya peoples, of the Yoncalla (Komemma), and with the Klamath peoples, and likely related to the other … [Read more…]
The upper McKenzie River, in Oregon, has been a vast wilderness and a tourist fishing location for the past 100 years. Some 30% of the clean water in the Willamette River comes down the McKenzie. In the latter part of the 19th century, gold mining began and brought more people to the area. Then, hot … [Read more…]
Essays written in preparation for my Comprehensive exams, nearly 20 years ago. Anthropology and Government Policy Part of the government’s role regarding Indian people was to figure out what to do with them. Historically, the European nations and formed contracts and relationships with Indian tribes. Most of these contracts were based on trade. The United … [Read more…]
Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley Book events and Presentations (upcoming and past) Every in-person presentation has a book signing, some sales, and a short discussion of the book. Synergistic Page with videos linked. 2026 4/23 Researching the tribes of Oregon, Lake Oswego public Library and Senior scholars (zoom registration required) 2/28 Hillsdale Branch, Mult … [Read more…]
Journal of Lieutenant George Foster Emmons[1] (Officer of the Peacock) August 7, 1841-The country becoming smoky from the annual fires of the Indians- who burn the prairies to dry and partially cook a sunflower seed (tarweed)- which abounds throughout this portion of the country & is afterwards collected by them in great quantities & kept … [Read more…]