Tag: reservation

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

colonization, Grand Ronde Reservation, Kalapuya, Oregon indians, Willamette ValleyLeave a comment

Soc-te-la Chief of the Luckimute Kalapuya People

David G. Lewis, PhD

The following section of a letter to General Joel Palmer details that at least one chief Soc-te-la knew they were to remove and was working to gather his people in preparation for such a move. It is unclear from the letter which tribe Soc-te-la belongs to and the letter mentions the Umpqua and Siletz rivers. “Hayden Hall, August 16th 1855, I am again importuned to write you a letter for Soc-te-la, he informs me he has been very diligent since he last saw you, in hunting his wandering people, preparatory to take a final leave of this valley agreeable to … Continue reading Soc-te-la Chief of the Luckimute Kalapuya People

columbia river, General History, Oregon indians, treaties, Washington Territory2 Comments

Fishery Politics with the Yakima Reservation Peoples: 1890s

David G. Lewis, PhD

Chilluckittequw: In what was to become Skamania County, the first residents called themselves Chilluckittequw (Ruby and Brown) and they lived along the rivers that drained into the Columbia between Beacon Rock and about Hood River. They spoke a language later classified as the Upper Division of Chinookan and could communicate with other tribes that lived along the Columbia from The Dalles to the mouth at the Pacific. Explorers Lewis and Clark (1805) called them the Smock-shops and other observers dubbed them Sahellellah, Shahala, Ninuhltidihs, and Kwikwuilits. American settlers named them the Cascades. (http://www.historylink.org/File/7811) Context The Cascades/Watlala peoples of the middle … Continue reading Fishery Politics with the Yakima Reservation Peoples: 1890s

General History, Oregon indians, treaties, Umpqua Valley11 Comments

The Temporary Cow Creek Umpqua Reservation

David G. Lewis, PhD

The Cow Creek Umpquas were a Takelman speaking tribe of native peoples related to the Takelma peoples of the Rogue River Valley. The Cow Creek peoples resided in the Cow Creek watershed and parts of the southeastern Umpqua Valley. In 1853, Joel Palmer wrote the first treaty of all Oregon tribal treaties to be eventually ratified by the United States Congress. Palmer, in 1853 was still attempting to get all of the western tribes to move to the Umatilla region of Eastern Oregon. However, the tribes were not accepting of such a drastic move and declined, forcing Palmer to arrange … Continue reading The Temporary Cow Creek Umpqua Reservation

General History, Grand Ronde Reservation, Kalapuya, Oregon indians, Termination, treaties, Umpqua Valley2 Comments

The 1855 Umpqua Reservation Census

David G. Lewis, PhD

Some recent census research revealed a census I had not yet analyzed. Luckily, a brief search of my records found that I had previously collected the census, enabling some efficient analysis. I was looking initially at a “1960” Census of Calapooia and Umpqua Indians on the Grand Ronde reservation. It still unclear what this 1960 census is yet. I think it is a Indian Claims roll for descendants of these two tribes who may be eligible for payments. The Grand Ronde tribe was terminated in 1954-1956 and so in 1960 all members were terminated Indians, but there was at least … Continue reading The 1855 Umpqua Reservation Census