California Native History Contexts

In recent months I have been delving into records of the California Superintendency. I have studied several California tribes in the past, namely the Tolowa and Shasta tribes, and my master’s paper was about the Tolowa Fish Camp at Indian beach. I have not taken the time previously for much more reading about California Natives because I know its a big state with a complex history. I have had my hand full with the 60 tribes of western Oregon. But going through federal microfilm for the California Superintendency, from the beginnings of United States Indian affairs is quite instructive. The … Continue reading California Native History Contexts

Calapooia Band of Calapooias Reservation 1855

The Northern bands of Calapooias, perhaps the most affected by the early settlement of the Willamette Valley, the Ahantchuyuk inhabited the prairie east of the Willamette River above Lake Labish at Salem. This is one of the earliest areas settled and became known as French Prairie because of the numbers of French-Canadian/ French-Indian employees of Hudson’s Bay Co who retired from their contacts and settled the area beginning in the late 1820s. This is likely the most robust agricultural areas of Oregon with some of the richest soils. The Lake Labish complex, in general, has some of the best soils … Continue reading Calapooia Band of Calapooias Reservation 1855

The War of Extermination and Traditional Food Gathering by Tribes in California, 1856

The tribes of California had 18 treaties negotiated with them in 1851. Agents McKee, Barbour and Wozencraft split the state in thirds and negotiated with all of the  tribes they could in a limited time. Redick McKee traveled from Sutter’s … Continue reading The War of Extermination and Traditional Food Gathering by Tribes in California, 1856