Tag: rights

colonization, eastern oregon, General History, Oregon indians, Rogue Valley, treaties1 Comment

Major Benjamin Alvord discusses Eastern Oregon Settlement, 1853

David G. Lewis, PhD

In 1853, the former Superintendent of Indian Affairs of Oregon Anson Dart had been forced to resign as none of his nineteen treaties with the tribes were ratified. Joel Palmer took this position in late May. Palmer was already a well-healed politician, and probably knew most people in Oregon at the time, and had previously had many dealings with the tribes. In the summer of 1853 Palmer was engaged with trying to get a  handle on the many issues with the tribes, mainly those in Southern Oregon captivated his attention. The months before his appointment the US Army was the … Continue reading Major Benjamin Alvord discusses Eastern Oregon Settlement, 1853

General History, Grand Ronde Reservation, Kalapuya, Oregon indians, Willamette ValleyLeave a comment

Lost Horses & Rights of Native Peoples in Salem, Oregon 1875

David G. Lewis, PhD

In 1875 a good number of letters were sent around to Indian agents about Indians who had “illegally” left the reservations and who were living in a settler community, about small minor crimes and disturbances by Indians from the Dalles to Roseburg. During this time the federal government was in the midst of taking several hundred thousand acres form the Coast reservation, many of the Native people were feeling insecure about their living situation, and the reservation culture was still extremely rugged. Additionally, in 1875, the funding from the treaties of 1853-1855 ended. The 20 years of payments for education … Continue reading Lost Horses & Rights of Native Peoples in Salem, Oregon 1875

California Natives, General History, Native Issues2 Comments

The Trail of Broken Treaties Redux

David G. Lewis, PhD

Vine Deloria, Jr. famously penned a book, the Trail of Broken Treaties in response to over 150 years of the United States breaking its agreements with Native American Tribes. The current Standing Rock action by thousands of Native American peoples and their allies is another chapter in this trail of broken treaties. The encampment was initiated to call attention to and halt the progress of an oil pipeline from Canada into the United States. The pipeline has now been rerouted several times, the most recent, away from the population center at Bismark, and through the relatively unoccupied lands near the … Continue reading The Trail of Broken Treaties Redux

General History, Grand Ronde Reservation, Native Issues, Oregon Coast, Oregon indians, Siletz Reservation2 Comments

Indian Fishing Rights on the Grand Ronde-Siletz Indian Agency

David G. Lewis, PhD

Over the course of the years  one question about the tribes of western Oregon has never been fully answered, Do the Tribal Members of the Grand Ronde and Siletz Reservations possess fishing rights? This essay offers a few case studies … Continue reading Indian Fishing Rights on the Grand Ronde-Siletz Indian Agency

General History, Grand Ronde Reservation, Native Issues, Oregon indians1 Comment

Meacham 1871- Mill development and the rights of Whites and Indians at Grand Ronde

David G. Lewis, PhD

Albert Meacham has proven on many occasions to have been concerned about the tribes of Oregon. The Indian Superintendent for Oregon seems genuinely to be concerned about the welfare of the people at Grand Ronde,  and worked to develop the resources on the reservation. In 1871 Meacham visited most of the reservations and worked hard to understand their challenges. He noted where their resources were suffering and made bold proposals to the federal government to help the reservations. The following report and proposal from May 1871 addresses the status of the grist and saw mills at Grand Ronde and proposes … Continue reading Meacham 1871- Mill development and the rights of Whites and Indians at Grand Ronde