Alsea facts for kids

The Alsea are a Native American tribe from Western Oregon. Since 1856, they have been part of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz on the Siletz Reservation in Oregon.

Their old stories say that the Yaquina, Alsea, Yachats, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw people were all one tribe. They believed they spoke the same language. Today, experts divide their language family into Alsean and Siuslawan. The Alsean people, which included the Yaquina, Alsea, and Yachats, used to gently flatten the foreheads of babies. They did this by applying light pressure in a special cradleboard until about 1860.

In 1855, the Alsea signed the Coast Treaty. This treaty meant they would share their lands with other tribes when the Siletz Reservation was created. However, the U.S. Senate never approved the treaty, so the promised money never arrived. Later, in the 1940s and 1950s, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians fought for their land rights. They won a lawsuit called "Alsea Band of Tillamooks et al vs the United States." They received some payment around 1959.

What's in a Name?

The name "Alsea" comes from /alsíiya/. This was the name given to the Alsea people by their neighbors, the Tillamook and Coos tribes.

Other tribes had different names for the Alsea:

• Kûnis'tûnne: A name from the Chastacosta people.
• Päifan amím: A name from the Luckiamute Kalapuya people.
• Si ni'-te-li tunne: A Naltunne name meaning "flatheads."
• Tcha yáxo amim: Another Luckiamute Kalapuya name.
• Tehayesátlu: A Nestucca name.

Where the Alsea Lived

The Alsea people lived on the western coast of Oregon. Their main area was around what is now Alsea Bay and the mouth of the Alsea River.

They had many villages along the river. Some were:

• Chiink and Panit on the south side of the Alsea River.
• Kakhtshanwaish and Kutauwa on the north side of the Alsea River.

In 1780, it's thought that about 6,000 people belonged to the larger Yakonan group, which included the Alsea. By 1910, only 29 people were identified under this name. In 1930, only 9 people were counted for the entire Yakonan group.

Alsea Culture and Way of Life

The Alsea people were skilled at living off the land and sea. They hunted seals and sea lions for food and materials. They also fished for salmon, which was a very important food source. For plants, they gathered camas roots. Like many tribes in their area, they gently flattened the heads of their babies. When someone died, the Alsea would place their bodies in canoes on special pieces of land that stuck out into the water.

Alsea Language

The Alsea language was part of the Alsean language family. It was very similar to the language spoken by the Yaquina tribe. Sadly, by 1910, the Alsea language was almost extinct. Fewer than six people still knew how to speak it.

Alsea Beliefs

We don't know a lot about the Alsea people's religion. However, it's thought to be similar to the beliefs of the Coos tribe. Alsea spiritual leaders, called shamans, would pray for good salmon runs. The Alsea also asked for help from animal spirits and the powers found in nature.

Alsea Art and Clothing

The Alsea people made practical and beautiful items. They wore robes made from seal skin to keep warm. They were also skilled at weaving baskets. To protect themselves from the rain, they made special raincoats from grass.

See also

In Spanish: Alsea para niños