The First Oregonians

by Laura Berg (Editor)

Originally published in 1991, The First Oregonians has been revised and expanded for a new generation of Oregonians. It provides a comprehensive view of Oregon's native peoples from the past to the present. In this remarkable volume, Oregon Indians tell their own stories—more than half of the chapters are written by members of Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes. Using oral histories and personal recollections, these chapters vividly depict not only a history of decimation and decline, but also a contemporary view of cultural revitalization, renewal, and continuity. The First Oregonians also includes essays by prominent Northwest scholars exploring geography, federal-Indian relations, language, and art. No other book offers as wide a variety of views and stories about the historical and contemporary experience of Oregon Indians. The First Oregonians is the definitive volume for anyone interested in the fascinating story of Oregon’s first peoples. C. Melvin Aikens, Stephen Dow Beckham, Marilyn Couture, Douglas Deur, Yvonne Hajda, Eugene Hunn, Dell Hymes, Jennifer Karson, Robert Kentta, Bill Mercer, Brent Merrill, Wil Phinney, Michael Rondeau, Howard P. Roy, Minerva T. Soucie, Kathryn Anne Toepel, George B. Wasson, Jr., and Elizabeth Woody. About the Publisher

Genres: History, Nonfiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only reading the chapters pertaining to my new location. Well written, interesting. A bit dated, even though it was revised in 2007. Fascinating to see how even since then, the way we talk about Indigenous Peoples has changed--in a positive way. I can sense how much more aware we are now than even 15 years ago of the atrocities we committed.

[Harvey Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall I loved this book. It’s really the only explanation of the peoples who lived in Oregon for 5-10,000 years before the arrival of the Europeans.

The book was written and edited under the purview of the Oregon Council for the Humanities. You learn which band of Native Americans lived where, how they lived, what they ate, how their societies were structured, what languages they spoke, and their world view.

“This book goes even further that the previous (first) edition toward rectifying decades of racially biased history and media commentary, which tended to portray Indians either as a vanished race of savages or a helpless minority stripped of their lands, culture, and identities.” The truth is that they were overrun by white people, and the U.S. Government cheated them time and time again. They got no fairness.

Where I live in the mid-Willamette Valley in western Oregon was once Indian land, with thriving societies that had had structure and real values. Within two miles of my home the Chemawa Indian School still operates. One of many U.S. Government Indian schools designed to change Indian culture to white mans culture.

Having said I loved the book, it was a hard to read too much of it at a time due to the content that you need to absorb. It also showed how badly First Peoples have systemically and routinely been treated.

I don’t look at lands I travel in Oregon the same way anymore. I see more of what used to be.

[tonia peckover · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of narratives and essays on current tribes, their histories and plans for the future, as well as art forms, language, and every day life for tribes of various regions. There are a multitude of authors so there is some repetition but overall the book is a valuable resource for beginning to understand the peoples who lived in Oregon originally, the complicated and painful ways in which their land and culture was stolen from them and the ways they are retaining their culture, restoring land, and making healthy communities for themselves.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readable and engaging overview of the nine federally-recognized tribes present in Oregon, written by indigenous authors. A great place to start for non-native Oregonians like me, who knew very little about the topic coming in!

[Cara Ungar-Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fascinating and thorough history of Oregon's nine tribes, but it is more...it brings that history up to date and represents contemporary indians in terms of current practice and lifeways. The focus is on historical and cultural continuity. Check it out!