Annie Miner Peterson facts for kids
Annie Miner Peterson (born in 1860, died in 1939) was an important woman from the Coos tribe in Oregon. She helped a scientist named Melville Jacobs learn about the Coos language and culture.
Annie's Early Life
Annie Miner Peterson was born in 1860. Her mother was a Coos Indian, and her father was James Miner. She was born in a village called Willanch, which means "good-weather-place." This village is now known as Cooston, located on Coos Bay in southern Oregon Coast.
Annie was one of the last Coos people to grow up learning the traditional Coos way of life. When she was a baby, her mother took her to the Coastal Indian Reservation near Yaquina Bay. Later, they moved to Yachats, where Annie grew up.
She married an Alsea Indian man named William Jackson. They had a daughter named Nellie, and Annie's family continues through Nellie's descendants today. Annie later found a happy marriage with Carl Peterson, who was a logger from Sweden.
Helping with Languages
In 1933, a scientist named Melville Jacobs was looking for someone who spoke the Hanis Coos language. He found Annie Miner Peterson, who was one of only a few older Coos people who still spoke it well.
Jacobs was very surprised to learn that Annie also spoke Miluk Coos. People thought this language had not been spoken for about 15 years!
During the summers of 1933 and 1934, Jacobs spent time with Annie. He recorded many stories and myths in both Miluk and Hanis Coos. He even used old wax-cylinder phonographs to record her speaking and singing.
Annie also shared many stories about the Coos culture and daily life. These stories and myths were later published in books, helping to save these important languages and traditions.
Artist and Storyteller
Annie Miner Peterson was a very talented woman. She was skilled at making baskets, which is an important traditional art form. She was also a wonderful storyteller. She knew a lot about the languages and culture of the Indigenous Coos people. Her knowledge helped others learn about her heritage.
Her Legacy
Annie Miner Peterson and her husband, Carl, both passed away in 1939. They died at their home on lower Coos Bay.
Annie's life story was later written in a book. It is called She's Tricky Like Coyote: Annie Miner Peterson, an Oregon Coast Indian Woman. The book was published in 1997 by Lionel Youst. It helps people remember Annie's important contributions to preserving Coos culture and language.
See Also
