Grande Ronde Reservation

Biography of William Rice Dunbar

W.R. DUNBAR. – The mold in which a place is first cast is a great determining force in its future development. A quarter of a city which begins with mean buildings invites a class of neglectful or impecunious residents, and seldom outgrows its tendency towards squalor. The new settlers which come into a thriftless community sink more easily to the habits of their neighbors before them than they succeed in inciting those lax individuals to more industrious methods. On the other hand, also, thrift, vigor, a high level of public spirit and morality, leave a stamp which sets the tone … Read more

Shasta Tribe

Shasta Indians (from Sǔsti’ka, apparently the mane of a well known Indian tribe living about 1840 near the site of Yreka).  A group of small tribes or divisions forming the Shastan linguistic family of north California and formerly extending into Oregon.  The area occupied by the Shasta is quite irregular, and consists of one main and three subsidiary areas.  The main body, comprising the Iruwaitsu, Kammatwa, Katiru, and Kikatsik, with whom there was little diversity in language, occupied Klamath river from Klamath Hot Springs to Happy Camp, the north half of Shasta valley, the whole of Scott valley, and the … Read more

Chepenafa Tribe

Chepenafa Indians. A Kalapooian tribe, some times regarded as a subdivision of the Lakmiut, formerly residing at the forks of St Marys creek, near Corvallis, Oregon. They are now on Grande Ronde reservation, being officially known as Marys River Indians, and number about 25.

Molala Tribe

Molala Indians. A Waiilatpuan tribe forming the western division of that family. Little is known of their history. When first met with they resided in the Cascade range between Mts. Hood and Scott and on the west slope, in Washington and Oregon. The Cayuse have a tradition that the Molala formerly dwelt with them south of Columbia river and became separated and driven westward in their wars with hostile tribes. Their dialect, while related, is quite distinct from that of the Cayuse, and the separation probably took place in remote times. The name Molala is derived from that of a … Read more

Atfalati Tribe

Atfalati (Atfalati). A division of the Kalapooian family whose earliest seats, so far as can be ascertained, were the plains of the same name, the hills about Forest Grove, and the shores and vicinity of Wappato lake, Oregon; and they are said to have extended as far as the site of Portland. They are now on Grande Ronde Reservation and number about 20. The Atfalati have long given up their native customs and little is known of their mode of life. Their language, however, has been studied by Gatschet, and our chief knowledge of the Kalapooian tongue is from this … Read more

Lakmiut Tribe

Lakmiut Indians. A Kalapooian tribe formerly residing on a river of the same name, a western tributary of the Willamette, in Oregon.  They are now on Grande Ronde Reservation, where they were officially stated to number 28 in 1905.  They are steadily decreasing.  The following were Lakmiut bands as ascertained by Gatschet in 1877; Ampalamuyu, Chantkaip, Chepenafa, Mohawk, Tsalakmiut, Tsampiak, Tsantatawa and Tsantuisha.

Clackama Tribe

Clackama Indians. A Chinookan tribe formerly occupying several villages on Clackamas Alaska river, in Clackamas County, Oregon…

Skoton Tribe

Skoton Indians. A tribe or two tribes (Chasta and Skoton) formerly living on or near Rogue River, Oregon, perhaps the Chastacosta or the Sestikustun . There were 36 on Grande Ronde res. and 166 on Siletz reservation, Oregon, in 1875.

Santiam Tribe

Santiam Indians. A Kalapooian tribe formerly residing on the river of the same name, an east tributary of the Willamette, in Oregon.  They are now on Grande Ronde Reservation, where they numbered 23 in 1906.  In 1909 the number officially reported was only 5, the remainder evidently having received patents for their lands and became citizens.  In 1877 Gatschet was able to learn of 4 bands, Chamifu, Chanchampeneau, Chanchantu and Chantkaip, which had formerly existed in the tribe.