Tag: extermination

California Natives, General HistoryLeave a comment

General Wool in California

David G. Lewis, PhD

The following is a series of statements by General John E. Wool and his underlings in the 1850s, from their administrative moorings in Benecia, California, the offices of the Department of the Pacific. General Wool was in this time pacifying California for settlers, working on arrangements with Mexico following the Spanish-America War, and also dealing with the new territories on the west coast, Oregon, and Washington and Utah. In this territory there were innumerable tribes of Native peoples, and a huge number of American immigrants who flooded the territories in the tens of thousands causing numerous conflicts with the tribes. … Continue reading General Wool in California

Native Issues, Umpqua Valley2 Comments

Nicholas Day Saves the Umpqua Indians

David G. Lewis, PhD

The following story appeared in the Oregonian in 1900. Nicholas Day was an Indian agent who was hired by Joel Palmer to manage the Umpqua Indians. Day took his job seriously at a time when there was much unrest in the region. The Rogue River Indian war was raging through southern Oregon with many settlers killed. The military force is a command of volunteer militia under the Oregon Territorial government who were activated and ordered to go to Rogue River to assist in the defense of the settlers in the region. During this period there were many feelings expressing in … Continue reading Nicholas Day Saves the Umpqua Indians

General History, Native Issues, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Acknowledgement is Long Past Due for Attempts to Exterminate the Tribes of Oregon

David G. Lewis, PhD

Presently, there is an apology bill being considered in the Oregon State Senate for the Modoc Indian War of 1872-1873.  This apology is long past due to the Modoc people who were forcibly removed to Oklahoma Indian County after the battlefield trials of their leaders. Numerous leaders of the Modocs, including Captain Jack were hung in what amounted to a battlefield-hanging immediately after they were captured in a ruse of a peace negotiation.  Modoc people today rightly point out that, “They were tried by the very same people that they fought in the war against,” Tupper said. “And so when … Continue reading Acknowledgement is Long Past Due for Attempts to Exterminate the Tribes of Oregon

General History, Grand Ronde Reservation, Native Issues, Oregon indians, Umpqua Valley, Uncategorized, Willamette Valley2 Comments

Memorializing Our Tribal Peoples Who Gave All So We Might Exist

David G. Lewis, PhD

  For over 500 years we have endured increasing colonization of our lands and spaces. A wave of death came from the east and passed through all indigenous nations. Nothing was spared; no corner of our lands or cultural spaces was left to the people. Some estimates suggest 90 million died, through wars, through slavery, through imprisonment, through diseases; and through simply living as Native peoples in our lands. Our known heroes are many, from Tecumseh, to Sarah Winnemucca, to Sitting Bull, to Geronimo, to Chief Seattle, to Chief Joseph, to Chief John, we honor those who fought for their … Continue reading Memorializing Our Tribal Peoples Who Gave All So We Might Exist

California Natives, Native Issues, Uncategorized5 Comments

When the Settlers Cleaned up their Lands, California 1850s

David G. Lewis, PhD

When settlers came to the west, the tribes tolerated their presence, many even welcomed them because of the trade possibilities.  The first settlers may have been deferential and honorable, perhaps because of how many tribal people remained, but  soon, by 1844, many thousands began claiming lands without talking to the tribes first. These settlers were in many ways self-righteous of their rights to land. Many did not appreciate the presence of the Indians living near them. Tribes tolerated the “Bostons” yet these Whitemen treated them badly. When they claimed the land, they did not want the Natives to come onto … Continue reading When the Settlers Cleaned up their Lands, California 1850s