Kuitsh Indians

The Kuitsh Indians, also known as Ci-sta-gwût-mê tunnĕ and Tukwil-mä-ki, were a small group associated with the Yakonan linguistic stock, though their precise classification is debated. They inhabited the Lower Umpqua River region and had several villages, including Chitlatamus and Chukhuiyathl. Historically, their population dwindled drastically, from an estimated 6,000 in 1780 to just 9 by 1930, complicating their historical recognition and significance. The Kuitsh are often grouped with the broader Siuslaw peoples.

Kuitsh Tribe

The Kuitsh Indians, a small Yakonan tribe, historically inhabited the lower Umpqua River in western Oregon. Today, few survivors reside on the Siletz Reservation. Their former villages included Tsalila, Misun, Takhaiya, and several others, reflecting the tribe’s once extensive presence in the region.