Coos people facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 526 (1990s) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States( Oregon) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, formerly Coos, (Hanis language and Miluk language) |
|
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion, formerly Ghost Dance | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Siuslaw people |
The Coos people are a group of Native Americans who have lived in Oregon for a very long time. Their traditional home is along the southwest Pacific coast of Oregon.
Today, many Coos people are part of official federally recognized tribes. These include:
- Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians of Oregon
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon
- Coquille Indian Tribe
Contents
Coos Language
The Coos language is not spoken much today. It belongs to the Coosan language family. This language has two main parts, called dialects: the Hanis language and the Miluk language.
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw are working to bring their language back. They have a special program to teach it to new generations.
History of the Coos People
The Coos people lived near other tribes like the Siuslawan, Kalapuyan, and Umpqua Indians. Around the year 1780, it is thought that about 2,000 Hanis and Miluk Coos people lived in the area.
First Contact with Europeans
The Coos people were first written about by Europeans in 1806. This happened on February 8. William Clark, who was with Meriwether Lewis on the Corp of Discovery, wrote about them. He called them the "Cook-koo-oose nation."
Clark wrote that he saw some Coos prisoners with other tribes. He noted that the Coos people looked "much fairer" than other local Native Americans. He also mentioned that they did not flatten their heads, which was a custom for some other tribes.
Treaties and Relocation
In August 1855, the Coos people joined with the Umpqua and Siuslaw tribes. They formed a group called a confederation by signing a treaty with the United States government.
In 1857, the U.S. Government moved the Coos Indians to a place called Port Umpqua. Four years later, they were moved again. This time, they went to the Alsea Sub-agency at the Yachats Reservation. They stayed there until 1876.
In 1876, the government opened the Alsea Sub-agency land for white settlement. The Coos people were told to move to the Siletz Reservation. This move caused big problems for the tribal members. By 1937, the number of Coos people had become very small, only 55 individuals.
Modern Tribal Recognition
In 1972, the Hanis and Miluk Coos people, along with members of the Kuitsh and Siuslaw tribes, formed a new group. They officially became the Coos Tribe of Indians. In the years that followed, they started helping their community. They provided food for families who needed it. They also created programs to help people find jobs.
Coos Culture and Daily Life
The Coos tribes lived in many villages, about 40 to 50 of them. These villages were mostly around the Coos Bay and North Bend areas. Most Coos people were skilled hunters, fishermen, and gatherers of food.
For fun and entertainment, they enjoyed different activities. They held foot races and canoe races. They also played games with dice made from bone or sticks. They practiced target shooting and played a game similar to field hockey called shinny.
Places Named After the Coos
Several important places in Oregon are named after the Coos tribe. These include Coos Bay, which is a large bay. The city of Coos Bay, Oregon is also named after them. In addition, Coos County is a county in Oregon that carries their name.
Notable Coos People
- Annie Miner Peterson (1860–1939) was the last person to speak the Miluk language.
