Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians: Connecting with the Land

Summary

The video describes the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians’ history of land loss, efforts to secure recognition and restoration, and work to renew cultural ties among Tribal members.

Treaty Promises and Displacement

In 1853, the Tribe ceded about 700 square miles of traditional territory to the U.S. government in exchange for promises that included housing, health care, education, and a reservation. The speakers say those promises were not fulfilled. Soon after the treaty, the Rogue Indian Wars disrupted relations with the federal government.

Survival and Pursuit of Justice

For decades, ancestors fled people tasked with rounding up Native people who had avoided removal to reservations farther north. In the early 1900s, Tribal elders began seeking a way to sue the government over the loss of their lands. The subtitles emphasize that families remained united and that ancestors repeatedly sought congressional action.

Federal Recognition and Land Restoration

After five efforts to introduce bills in Congress over several decades, the Tribe received formal recognition in 1982. Recognition did not restore land. The Tribe continues to work toward a land bill that would restore a reservation and create opportunities for members to reconnect with ancestral land and strengthen their culture.

Responsibility to the Land

The speakers describe the difficulty of having limited control over historical and cultural places, which they feel are deteriorating. They express a responsibility to care for the land, emphasizing that their relationship to it is not simply one of ownership.

Cultural Revitalization

In response to historical trauma across generations, the Tribe holds cultural events. One major example is Culture Camp, a three-day gathering where families can come together in a safe, healthy setting, learn about cultural arts and traditional values, and build community. Attendance has grown, and the Tribe hopes to expand opportunities for members to gather in ways reminiscent of their ancestors.

Speakers Featured

• Michael — Identified by first name in the subtitles; discusses the treaty, efforts to obtain justice and recognition, and the Tribe’s relationship to the land.
• Jessie — Identified by first name in the subtitles; discusses displacement, land restoration, and cultural revitalization.