Siletz facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 5,300 (2018) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Oregon) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, formerly Dee Ni and Tillamook | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tolowa and Salish peoples |
The Siletz (pronounced SIGH-lets) are a Native American group. They were once the southernmost part of the Tillamook people. The Siletz lived along the Siletz River in Oregon. Their name comes from this river.
Today, the Siletz are an important part of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. This group of tribes got its name from the Siletz people. After the Rogue River Wars in 1856, the United States government moved many Native American tribes to the Coast Indian Reservation. This place later became known as the Siletz Reservation. More than 27 different tribes, speaking 10 different languages, were moved there.
Over time, the Siletz people faced many challenges. Their large reservation, once 1.1 million acres, was taken away. Then, a law called the Western Oregon Termination Act ended the special relationship between the Siletz Tribes and the U.S. government. But the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians worked hard to change this. They convinced Congress to bring back their federal recognition on November 18, 1977. This means the U.S. government officially recognized them as a tribe again.
The Siletz Dee-ni language is the only native language still spoken on the reservation today. It's a mix of different Athabaskan languages spoken by the tribes who were moved to the reservation. To help save their language, the tribe created a "talking dictionary" in 2007. They worked with the National Geographic Society and the Living Tongues Institute. This dictionary helps teach the language to new generations.
A Look at Their Past
Traditionally, the Siletz people lived along the central coast of Oregon. This was near the Siletz River. They lived there until the mid-1800s. They were thought to be part of the larger Coast Salish culture. This culture was centered further north, in what is now British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state.
The Siletz were closely connected to the Tillamook people. The Tillamook lived to their north along the Oregon Coast. After the Rogue River Wars in 1855–1856, the U.S. government moved the Siletz. They were moved to the Coast Indian Reservation. This reservation later became the Siletz Reservation.
Many other tribes were also moved to this reservation. These included the Tillamook and the Tolowa people from northern California. The reservation is located along the Siletz River. It is about 15 miles northeast of Newport, Oregon.
Their Language Today
The Siletz people were once believed to speak a dialect of the Tillamook language. This language was part of the Salishan languages family. Sadly, the Tillamook language was declared extinct in 1970. This happened when its last native speaker passed away.
However, what is now called the Siletz Dee-ni language is different. Experts have found that Siletz Dee-ni is actually a form of Tolowa. Tolowa is an Athabaskan language, not a Salishan one. The Tolowa people were one of the many Native American groups. Their descendants make up the Confederated Tribes of Siletz.
Today, Siletz Dee-ni is the only native language still spoken on the reservation. The Confederated Siletz tribe knows how important their language is. They are working hard to save and teach it. This language is also called Tolowa Dee-ni. Many groups have studied it. Tribal members and language experts are working together. They want to record all the similarities and differences of the Athabaskan languages from Southwest Oregon and Northwest California.
The Siletz have also joined a global effort to save endangered languages. This project includes the National Geographic Society and the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages. Alfred "Bud" Lane was one of the last people who spoke Siletz Dee-ni fluently. He recorded 14,000 words of the language. This work helped create a Siletz "talking dictionary." This dictionary is one of eight made for endangered languages. It helps teach the language to tribal members in the Siletz Valley. Digital tools like this help small groups keep their languages alive.
