Nestled in the southwestern expanse of Oregon, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians stands as a testament to resilience, adaptation, and enduring cultural identity. As one of the nine federally recognized tribal governments within the state, the Cow Creek Band maintains a vibrant presence, actively shaping its future while honoring its rich and complex past. This article delves into the history, culture, and contemporary life of the Cow Creek people, exploring their connection to the land, their struggles for recognition, and their ongoing efforts to preserve their heritage for generations to come.
Official Identity and Location
Officially recognized as the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the tribal government is headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon. The administrative hub, located at 2371 NE Stephens Street, Roseburg, Oregon 97470, serves as the central point for tribal operations, community services, and governmental affairs. The tribe can be contacted by phone at 541-672-9405 or (800) 929-8229. Further information about the tribe can be found on their official website: www.cowcreek.com/.
Recognition and Historical Context
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians holds the distinction of being a federally recognized tribe. This recognition signifies a government-to-government relationship with the United States, acknowledging the tribe’s sovereignty and inherent rights. Historically, the tribe was formerly known as the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians of Oregon. This recognition allows the tribe to access crucial federal programs and services, including healthcare, education, and housing, which are vital for the well-being of its members.
Territorial Roots and Traditional Lands
The ancestral lands of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians encompass a significant portion of southwestern Oregon, nestled between the Cascade and Coast Ranges. The tribe’s traditional territory centered around the South Umpqua River and its primary tributary, Cow Creek, effectively encompassing the entire Umpqua watershed. However, the tribe’s influence extended far beyond this core area. Known for their mobility and extensive trade networks, the Cow Creek people utilized a vast region for hunting, gathering, and trade. This area reached north into the Willamette Valley, east to Crater Lake and the Klamath Marsh area, west to the Coast Range, and south through the Rogue River watershed into the Siskiyou Mountains.
Specific locations held particular significance for the Cow Creek people. The huckleberry patches along the Rogue-Umpqua Divide provided a vital food source, while the hunting grounds and "medicine" trees in the Jackson Creek watershed offered sustenance and healing resources. The South Umpqua Falls and Big Rocks served as important fishing sites, contributing significantly to the tribe’s subsistence.
Loss of Land and Unfulfilled Promises
A defining chapter in the history of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians is the Treaty of 1854. While intended to establish a reservation for the tribe, the treaty ultimately resulted in the loss of more than 800 square miles of their ancestral lands. In exchange for this vast territory, the tribe received a meager payment of 2.3 cents per acre. This figure starkly contrasts with the $1.25 per acre the U.S. Government charged pioneer settlers through the Donation Land Claims Act, highlighting the inequity of the transaction. The treaty was never fully honored, and the Cow Creek people became, in effect, a landless tribe. The lack of a reservation has had profound and lasting consequences, impacting the tribe’s economic development, cultural preservation, and overall well-being. The tribe has worked tirelessly to address this historical injustice and reclaim its rightful place in the landscape.
Population and Governance
The registered population of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians today is approximately 1,594 enrolled members. The tribe is governed by a Tribal Board of Directors, composed of 11 members. This governing body is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the tribe, overseeing tribal programs, and advocating for the interests of its members.
Language and Cultural Heritage
The traditional language of the Cow Creek people is Takelma. While the number of fluent speakers is limited, the tribe is actively engaged in language revitalization efforts, working to preserve and promote the Takelma language for future generations.
The Cow Creek culture is rich in traditions, ceremonies, and artistic expressions. Cow Creek women were particularly renowned for their skill in weaving baskets from wild-hazel bark, bear grass, and maidenhair fern stems. These baskets were not only functional objects but also intricate works of art, reflecting the deep connection between the Cow Creek people and the natural world.
Subsistence and Traditional Practices
The Cow Creek people were traditionally hunter-gatherers, relying on the abundant resources of their territory for survival. Deer and elk were important sources of meat, while the summer runs of silver salmon and winter runs of steelhead provided crucial protein. The tribe constructed weirs across streams and placed funnel-shaped basket traps made of hazel shoots in narrow channels to efficiently harvest these fish.
Plant life also played a vital role in the Cow Creek diet. In addition to gathering huckleberries, blackberries, and blackcaps, the tribe collected tarweed, hazel and chinquapin nuts, wild onions, Indian lettuce, acorns, camas, mushrooms, and lambs quarters. Plants also served medicinal purposes. Snakeweed was used for burns, cuts, and blood poisoning, mullen leaves were steeped to make cough syrup, and wild ginger teas were used to cure fevers.
The tribe constructed their winter houses primarily of pine boards over shallow excavations in the earth. There are records that rock shelters, with animal hides, were also used for homes.
Contemporary Life and Economic Development
Today, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians is actively engaged in economic development, seeking to create opportunities for its members and strengthen its self-sufficiency. The tribe operates several businesses, including the Seven Feathers Casino Resort, which provides employment and generates revenue for tribal programs.
Challenges and Resilience
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians has faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including disease, displacement, and the loss of its land base. Despite these hardships, the tribe has demonstrated remarkable resilience, persevering in its efforts to maintain its cultural identity, advocate for its rights, and build a brighter future for its members.
The Umpqua suffered mass mortality in the California smallpox epidemic of 1837-8, and from malaria and other diseases.
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians stands as a powerful symbol of cultural survival and self-determination. Their story is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the importance of preserving indigenous cultures for future generations.