Tag: oregon trail

colonization, General History, Native IssuesLeave a comment

Americans the Victimized

David G. Lewis, PhD

The story of the settlement of Oregon is largely one of victimization. The pioneers, settlers in many stories are escaping taxes and lack of opportunities in the east. Some are even coming from Europe where they had little rights and no opportunity for advancement. The movement of these peoples west is a journey to find opportunity, freedom, liberty, from the oppressive structures to the east. Manifest Destiny, the assumption of American rights to the lands of the west, is an narrative intended to inspire colonization of the west coast so that Americans can compete with the European colonizers for access … Continue reading Americans the Victimized

education, General History, Native Issues3 Comments

Native People are Part of Oregon, and Are Not the Sons and Daughters of the Pioneers

David G. Lewis, PhD

In recent years, in the State of Oregon, there have been some positive signs that the state has finally accepted that there are Native people, with history, in this state. The state legislature passed a law that helps to make Tribal history an essential and vital part of the state’s public education system (SB13). The project funds, now being dispersed, will help to produce Native American curriculum which will be used in our schools as soon as two years from now. This is a positive step forward that is applauded by all tribes and educators in the state. It is … Continue reading Native People are Part of Oregon, and Are Not the Sons and Daughters of the Pioneers

assimilation, General History, Oregon indians, treatiesLeave a comment

Differential Immigration and Citizenship in the 19th Century in Oregon

David G. Lewis, PhD

The immigration debate that is being discussed nationally, has caused me to think about what immigration was like in the 19th century in Oregon. Too often today immigrants are discussed as being synonymous with “criminals” as if the very action of immigration is a criminal act. But, as many know, immigration into the USA has been one of the mainstays of the American democracy, its how the US got so many people from so many countries seeking a new country to survive and thrive in. In the 19th century Americans took to immigrating into the Oregon Territory without requesting this … Continue reading Differential Immigration and Citizenship in the 19th Century in Oregon

colonization, columbia river, dart, General History, Kalapuya, Native Issues, Oregon indians, trade, Willamette Valley1 Comment

Stingy American Settlers of the Willamette Valley

David G. Lewis, PhD

  The Kalapuyan tribes of the Willamette Valley have lived here for more than 10,000 years, some 500 generations of people. The whole of the valley was owned by these tribes who had distinct yet overlapping territories. A few sections of the valley were owned by relative newcomers, the Molallans, who lived in the foothills and parts of the northeast valley. The northern part of the valley, where the Willamette River flowed over 35 foot falls, was occupied by The Clackamas tribes, who settled thickly along the upper  Willamette, Clackamas, and parts if the Columbia rivers. These tribes lived in … Continue reading Stingy American Settlers of the Willamette Valley

education, Native Issues, Oral History, Personal History, UncategorizedLeave a comment

American Mythic Origins, Thanksgiving, Mascots and the Oregon Trail

David G. Lewis, PhD

Over the last week I have taped at least two shows for the radio about my thoughts about Thanksgiving. Suddenly everyone wants to know what “Natives” think about this holiday. I think its a reaction to recent activities around Native American month and Indigenous People’s days. Indigenous people’s days have now become a big social movement with many cities moving to eliminate Columbus Day, and institute an Indigenous day of recognition in its place. This was a movement I was in the middle of in the 1990s at the University of Oregon, and more recently worked last year to begin … Continue reading American Mythic Origins, Thanksgiving, Mascots and the Oregon Trail