Anson Dart’s Report on the Tribes and Treaties of Oregon, 1851

  Here begins the report from Anson Dart of the treaties he has negotiated with the tribes. This report intends to introduce the treaties and the tribes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. This letter precedes Dart’s travel with the treaties to Washington, D.C. where he personally introduces the 13 treaties to the Commissioner. The number is increase to 18 treaties later. Office of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs Oregon City, O.T. November 7th 1851 Hon L. Lea Commissioner of Indian Affairs Sir, You have herewith, thirteen Indian treaties; which cede to the United States more than six millions acres … Continue reading Anson Dart’s Report on the Tribes and Treaties of Oregon, 1851

Anson Dart’s Report of November 7, 1851: Contextualized

Anson Dart’s Report of November 7, 1851, Transferring 13 Treaties to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs: Annotated with Contextual Comments Here begin the full text of the Report of Anson Dart. I have worked to include every word transcribed, there … Continue reading Anson Dart’s Report of November 7, 1851: Contextualized

Forming the Grand Ronde Tribal Confederation 1850s

The Grand Ronde Tribe is a confederacy of tribes.  The history of research on how many tribes came to Grand Ronde has greatly progressed in recent years. For a time in the 1990s, Grand Ronde noted five tribes (the primary tribal groups- which encouraged some people to believe that there were only five tribes).  In the 2000s historians and researchers at the Grand Ronde Tribe had enumerated 29 to 35 tribes. Counting them again, we are finding many more bands than previously mentioned, perhaps as many as 48 tribes and bands. The definition of a Tribe is important. We now … Continue reading Forming the Grand Ronde Tribal Confederation 1850s

Reservation of the Santiam Band of Indians under Chief Jo 1855

One band of the Santiam tribe, Chief Jo’s band, lived within the north and south forks of the Santiam River. Alquema or Jo (Joseph) Hutchins had earlier signed the 1851 treaty with Anson Dart. During the treaty negotiations, the first for the tribes of the Willamette Valley, Alquema and Tiacan (possible the leader of the other Santiam band, Louis, located at Lebanon) held out to remain in their lands. They negotiated a permanent reservation between the forks of Santiam. Their transcribed speeches over the course of five days are important to understanding how deeply they felt about remaining on their … Continue reading Reservation of the Santiam Band of Indians under Chief Jo 1855