The Tribes of Oregon
Tam stslikt Cultural Institute Village Travel Oregon
Thousands of years before Europeans started exploring the area, native tribes lived in the region. They hunted and fished, traded goods and followed ancient rituals. The history and culture of Native Americans are as diverse as the regions in which they live. Tribes on the Coast and the Willamette Valley benefited from the proximity of the sea, the many rivers, dense forests and the fertile ground, which provided ample food sources in the form of fish and deer. Natives from the western part of Oregon had time and wealth they dedicated to arts. For Native Americans east of the Cascades, terrain and weather were more challenging. The north provided great fishing with the Columbia, Deschutes, John Day and several other rivers. On the banks of the Columbia River a huge trading exchange developed where Native American tribes from as far away as Alaska, California and the Missouri Basin met to trade goods from their regions. Tribes living in the High Desert southeast of the Cascades had to adapt to the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the desert. The seasonal temperature changes forced these tribes to migrate 200 miles (300 km) or more each year, resulting in a completely different lifestyle and culture. Today the state is home to nine sovereign tribes that share their culture and traditions with visitors from near and far. The tribes govern their own land and relate the fascinating stories that have shaped this region.