Umpqua people facts for kids
The Umpqua people are a group of Native American tribes who have lived for a very long time in the Umpqua River area of what is now southern Oregon in the United States. This area is often called the Umpqua Valley today.
Before European settlers arrived, different Umpqua tribes spoke several languages. These included Siuslaw, Yoncalla, Upper Umpqua, Takelma, and Molalla. Scientists have found proof that Native Americans lived in the Umpqua region at least 8,000 years ago. The name "Umpqua" might come from a word meaning "a place along the river." Other ideas suggest it means "thundering water" or "dancing water."
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Meet the Umpqua Tribes
Lower Umpqua People
The Lower Umpqua tribe called themselves Kuitsh or Quuiič, meaning "The Southern People." They spoke a language called Lower Umpqua, which is part of the Siuslaw language family. Before Europeans settled, the Lower Umpqua lived along the coast. Their land stretched from the Siltcoos River down to Tenmile Creek.
Today, the Lower Umpqua people are part of several larger tribal groups:
- Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
- Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
Upper Umpqua People
The Upper Umpqua people mostly lived along the South Umpqua River. This was near where the city of Roseburg is now. They also lived upstream from Scottsburg. They called themselves Etnemitane or Tl'uu-dv-nee-yu, which means "prairie people." Their language, Upper Umpqua, is now extinct. It was part of a group of languages spoken along the Pacific Coast.
Other tribes who spoke similar languages called them "Umpqua River People." For example, the Chetco-Tolowa people called them Ûm-́kwa-me, which is where the English word "Umpqua" comes from.
Today, the Upper Umpqua people are part of these tribes:
- Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
- Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua
The Cow Creek Band was originally a part of the Takelma people. They lived along the South Umpqua River, Myrtle Creek, and Cow Creek. They were known as the Cow Creek Takelma or The Cow Creek Band.
Today, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua are part of these tribes:
- Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Native Americans
- Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
- Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Native Americans is one of nine Native American tribes in Oregon that the U.S. government officially recognizes. They were the first tribes in the Oregon area to sign a treaty with the U.S. government. This happened on September 19, 1853. Because of this treaty, the Cow Creek Tribe gave up over 800 square miles of land in Oregon to the United States. Even though the treaty promised them a reservation, they never received one. But the people stayed in their homelands.
Southern Molalla People
The Molalla people first lived along the Deschutes River. Later, they moved to the areas near the start of the Umpqua River and Rogue River.
Today, the Molalla people are part of these tribes:
- Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (In the 1950s, many members of this tribe had Molalla ancestors.)
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
- Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Umpqua History and Life
The Native Americans living in the Umpqua region before Europeans arrived lived closely with nature. Their way of life was rich and had many traditions. In winter, they lived in strong houses made of cedar wood in their main villages. During this time, they made baskets, clothes, tools, and weapons. They also shared many stories, including tales about how the world began. They told stories about a magical time when animals and humans could speak the same language.
In the spring, summer, and fall, they moved to different camps. This allowed them to find food that was plentiful during those seasons.
The first known contact with white people happened in the late 1700s. These were fur trappers. In the 1820s, a company called the Hudson's Bay Company started trapping beavers in the Umpqua area. They also traded regularly with the Native Americans.
Relations with the fur trappers were usually good. However, there were sometimes conflicts. One notable conflict happened in 1828. It was between the Lower Umpqua Indians and a group of fur traders led by Jedediah Smith. A conflict arose, and a Lower Umpqua man was killed by Smith's group. In response, the Lower Umpqua people fought back. They killed 15 of Smith's 19 men.
