David G. Lewis

The Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley is a detailed account of the various First Nation inhabitants of Oregon’s Willamette Valley from the 19th century and onwards, and their interaction with the ever increasing numbers of settlers. The book provides useful background culled from contemporary newspapers and other original sources, and it’s the same old worldwide story, a clash of cultures and disregard for the possessions and way of life of indigenous tribes.

Overall, "Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley" is a timely addition to the history of the United States and a reminder of how many nations were built.… (mehr)

David G. Lewis's book, "The Tribal Histories of Willamette Valley," is a must-read if you're at all curious about the rich but often overlooked stories of the Native American tribes in the Willamette Valley. this book offers up some deep dives into the history of the area that go way beyond what most of us learned in school.

What's cool about this book is how Lewis mixes in all sorts of sources – old maps, vintage photos, letters – making the past come alive and giving a voice to the people who've been silenced for so long. He's upfront about the ugly parts of history – the broken promises, land grabs, and the struggle to hold onto culture and identity – but also shines a light on the resilience and survival of these communities through it all.

Lewis isn't just recounting facts; he's inviting us to rethink American history, to see the depth and richness of Native American cultures. He even dives into the arts and daily life, giving us a glimpse into the cultural treasures of the Willamette Valley tribes.

Bottom line, "The Tribal Histories of Willamette Valley" is way more than your average history book. It's a heartfelt call to recognize, appreciate, and honor the stories of Native American communities. Whether you're a history buff, a local, or just someone looking to understand America's story better, this book's got something for you.… (mehr)

Lewis, David G. The Tribal Histories of Willamette Valley. Ooligan Press, Portland, OR: 2023.

Thank you, Ooligan Press and LibraryThing, for this free ebook galley.

I was surprised to see an email from Ooligan Press, the grad student-run press at Portland State University. I occasionally receive emails from PSU’s Alumni Association, not Ooligan Press—for which I worked as a publishing student over a decade ago.

I live in Willamette Valley in Oregon and before reading this book only knew that the local tribe is the Kalapuya. The book covers all tribes in the Willamette Valley. Before reading this, I only knew Molalla and Clackamas as place names, not tribal names. I appreciate learning so much about the tribal history of the place I’ve chosen to call home... which makes me a twentieth-century settler.

This history book describes the Native cultures of Willamette Valley. More than that, it delves into the details of relations between the Indigenous population and white settlers. A lot happened in the 1850s, with white settlers invading and breaking treaties and stealing land. Reservations were created then, and Natives were officially required to stay on the reservation--though many worked for settlers at low wages.

The book includes many direct quotes from primary sources.

The book starts with ancient times and goes all the way to the early twentieth century, with a conclusion about the present. It includes interactions with settlers, the confederation of tribes, the creation of reservations, assimilation and possible citizenship, laws and Acts, missionary boarding schools in Oregon, interracial marriage, etc.

Over twenty years ago in St. Louis, I visited the Lewis & Clark museum under the Arch, and that was probably the first I learned of how white settlers really treated Natives, how they consciously intended to kill off bison and Natives. This book goes into specific details of one region. No doubt similar histories need to be written about other North American regions. It’s horrifying... but nowadays not surprising to learn about the betrayal, the arrogance, the delusions of entitlement and utter lack of fairness and basic compassion flaunted by white settlers.

I appreciate the section on basket weaving—arts and crafts are more my cup of tea than treaties.

Black and white illustrations include: antique maps and modern maps, vintage photos, a vintage costume etching, and photos of primary source documents such as, for instance, letters and census documents (with quaint handwriting).

The time period the book covers is ancient times (briefly) to the early 20th century, but mostly the 19th century. A lot happened in the 1850s—or should I say, this book covers a lot in that decade and a great deal was written about Oregon tribes during that time.

Lewis’s closing statement addresses issues of Native poverty and how settlers to this day occupy land stolen from tribes.

Back copy includes a bibliography and a Historic Events Timeline.… (mehr)