The narrative of the Clatsop-Nehalem people is deeply intertwined with the histories of their neighbors, the Clatsop to the north and the Tillamook to the south. Delineating a separate history for the Nehalem country in its earliest days proves to be an almost impossible task. From the first written accounts, the Clatsop and Nehalem communities were documented as sharing interwoven cultural, economic, and social fabrics. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes of Oregon, their history, culture, and contemporary status.
A People United by Geography and Shared Experience
The geographic location of the Clatsop and Nehalem tribes played a crucial role in shaping their shared identity. The Clatsop primarily inhabited the northern Oregon coast, stretching from the mouth of the Columbia River down to Tillamook Head, near present-day Seaside. To the south, the Nehalem-Tillamook occupied villages extending from Tillamook Head further southward, well beyond Tillamook Bay. However, the boundaries between these two groups were fluid, both geographically and socially.
Resource sharing was a common practice, with both tribes utilizing the abundant berry-picking grounds of Clatsop Plains. They also shared sacred sites, such as the prominent Saddle Mountain, demonstrating a shared spiritual landscape. This close proximity and resource interdependence fostered strong social connections and cultural exchange.
Traditional Social Structure and Governance
Unlike many other tribal societies, the Clatsop and Nehalem people did not organize themselves under a hierarchical system with designated chiefs. Instead, their social structure was based on individual families affiliated with one another in small villages and seasonal camps strategically located near vital food sources. This decentralized approach allowed for flexibility and adaptation to the seasonal changes and resource availability of the region.
During the summer months, these families would converge at a large village near Tansey Point, in present-day Hammond, Oregon. This gathering served as a vital hub for trade with visiting tribes, fostering social connections, and conducting important ceremonies. In the winter, many families sought shelter and community in a mixed Clatsop-Nehalem village near present-day Seaside, further highlighting the interconnectedness of these two peoples.
Cultural Similarities and the Chinook Influence
The Clatsop and Chinook tribes shared numerous cultural traits, and intermarriage between families from both groups was not uncommon. However, it is crucial to recognize that these two groups remained distinct entities. While anthropologists generally acknowledge that the Clatsop and Chinook maintained autonomous political structures and economic activities, the tendency to view tribal cultures through a European lens has led to misconceptions. It is inaccurate to assume that all Clatsop were Chinooks or that all Chinooks formed a unified political entity before European contact.
Over time, some individuals of Clatsop ancestry, particularly those with strong kinship ties to the Chinook, have chosen to identify with the Chinook Tribe. Conversely, many Clatsop, especially those with Nehalem ancestry, have opted to become members of the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes.
The Unique Nature of the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederation
While many Oregon tribes represent confederations of previously distinct tribal populations, the Clatsop-Nehalem stand out due to the long history of their confederated status, predating significant Euro-American influence. Without direct ancestors listed on the rolls of the Siletz, Grand Ronde, or other federally recognized tribes, the Clatsop-Nehalem, like their Chinook counterparts to the north, have pursued independent federal recognition for decades. This effort was formally initiated in the late 1980s, spearheaded by the current Chairman, Joseph Scovell.
In the years that followed, the Clatsop-Nehalem began enrolling members and established a non-profit organization to coordinate tribal initiatives. Today, the Clatsop-Nehalem people comprise families of combined Clatsop and Nehalem-Tillamook ancestry, descendants of the integrated populations encountered by explorers like Lewis and Clark, anthropologist Franz Boas, and countless others who followed. The Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes of Oregon seek recognition for their unique heritage and contributions.
The Tansey Point Treaty and its Unfulfilled Promise
A pivotal moment in the history of the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes of Oregon came in the summer of 1851. The Clatsop and Nehalem participated in treaty negotiations with Anson Dart, the Oregon Territory Superintendent of Indian Affairs. On August 5th and 6th of that year, both tribes engaged in good-faith negotiations and signed the Tansey Point Treaty with Superintendent Dart. This treaty involved the relinquishment of claims to 90% of their traditional territory.
However, the Tansey Point Treaties faced an unfortunate fate. They were sent to Washington D.C. for ratification but were ultimately blocked by delegates to Congress, including Joseph Lane and Samuel Thurston. This failure to ratify the treaty resulted in a complex legal quagmire.
Technically, the (Nehalem) Tillamook were under the jurisdiction of the Grand Ronde agent. Yet, the Oregon Superintendency did not implement a removal program for the Tillamook, Clatsop, or other indigenous peoples of Northwestern Oregon.
Unlike other tribes, the members of the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes of Oregon were not mandated to relocate to a reservation. In fact, they represent the only tribe in Oregon that was not subjected to forced removal.
This unique situation led to the Clatsop and Nehalem people essentially "slipping through the cracks" of the treaty process. While some Clatsop and Nehalem joined relatives at the Siletz, Grand Ronde, or Quinault Reservations, many families remained in their traditional homeland, never becoming part of a federally recognized tribe.
Contemporary Status and Challenges
Today, the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes of Oregon face the ongoing challenge of maintaining their cultural identity and pursuing federal recognition. The tribe has no formal recognition and has struggled in recent years to retain its identity. Some of the remaining members now form an unofficial confederation, the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes of Oregon, with the Salishan-speaking Nehalem (Tillamook) tribe that once inhabited the area around Tillamook Bay. Other Clatsop descendants continue to maintain their culture and ceremonies as family and small community units, as in the past.
The approximately 200 members who have recently organized as the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederation have an average age of 65, highlighting the urgent need to preserve and pass on their cultural heritage to future generations.
Contact Information:
- Official Tribal Name: Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes of Oregon
- Address: P.O. Box 190, Seaside, OR 97138
- Phone: 503-895-5643
- Email: info@clatsop-nehalem.com
- Official Website: http://www.clatsop-nehalem.com
Cultural Preservation and Language Revitalization
The Clatsop language, a nearly-extinct dialect of the Lower Chinookan language, is a crucial aspect of the tribe’s cultural heritage. Most Clatsops spoke Chinook Jargon, a trade language once prevalent throughout much of the Pacific Northwest, and some also spoke a dialect of Nehalem.
Nehalem, a Salishan language dialect, belongs to a completely different language family than Clatsop. While these two tribes spoke mutually unintelligible languages, bilingualism was common due to the long intermingling of the two groups. The Nehalem language, a dialect of Salishan Tillamook, eventually became the dominant language used, a shift brought about by the frequent intermarriage of the Clatsop and Nehalem people.
Tragically, the last known fluent speaker of the Tillamook language passed away in 1972. In an effort to preserve the Tillamook language, researchers from the University of Hawaii interviewed Joe Scovell’s mother and other members of the Nehalem band of the Tillamook tribe from 1965-72. They have compiled a 120-page Tillamook-English dictionary, with a 35-page English-Tillamook index, which remains an unpublished work in progress.
Key Facts About the Clatsop-Nehalem People:
- Traditional Territory: Northern Oregon coast, from the Columbia River to south of Tillamook Bay.
- Traditional Name: Clatsop in the original language is La t cap, meaning "place of dried salmon."
- Common Names: Chinook, Clatsop, Nehalem, Tillamook.
- Language: Clatsop (Lower Chinookan dialect), Nehalem (Salishan Tillamook dialect), Chinook Jargon.
- Subsistence: Semi-sedentary hunter-gatherers, relying primarily on salmon, supplemented with deer, elk, small animals, berries, and roots.
- Housing: Large cedar-plank houses.
- Government: Tribal Council with 3 councilmen and 4 executive officers (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer).
The Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes of Oregon represent a resilient community dedicated to preserving their cultural heritage and seeking federal recognition. Their story is one of interconnectedness, adaptation, and perseverance in the face of adversity.