A Startling History of the Cascades Indians, 1855-1862

On March 26, 1856, a year after the Willamette Valley treaty is negotiated (Jan. 22, 1855) there is an uprising on the Columbia near the Cascades. There are numerous versions of the story,  but it is associated  as an extension of the Yakima Indian Wars, where  Klickitat and Yakima and perhaps some Cascades Indians were upset with the Americans and killed some of them in a series of attacks on settlements and outposts on the Columbia River. The Yakima leader Kamiakin was upset about the invasion of his country and wanted to drive the Americans from the Columbia. The Klickitats … Continue reading A Startling History of the Cascades Indians, 1855-1862

200 years of Conflict

In the Northwest today there is an incredible historical irony playing itself out through inter-tribal politics. Perhaps the situation is such that it rates as predictive in nature. For the past decade or so the Tribes in the vicinity of Portland, Oregon have engaged in a economic war over who will first be able to place its casino within the vicinity of Portland. Thus far The Grand Ronde tribe has been successful in fending off the advances of both Washington based and Oregon tribes. One of the most problematic opponents is the Cowlitz tribe who would like to claim that … Continue reading 200 years of Conflict