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

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

Stingy American Settlers of the Willamette Valley

  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

The Spirit of Colonization of Indian Country: Vista House and American Nationalism

On June 7th, 1918 the state of Oregon dedicated the Vista House built between 1916 and 1918, at the crest of Crown Point overlooking the Columbia River. The opening of the house, really a scenic vista wayside and pioneer memorial, … Continue reading The Spirit of Colonization of Indian Country: Vista House and American Nationalism