Siletz news letter., October 01, 1996, Page 2, Image 2

9CT0BU1996
Despite an iron will and a small band
of able fighters to-back him up, there were
women and children to think of and with each
encounter their numbers dwindled. Less than
two months after Tyee John gave notice that
he would not leave the country he had always
known, he found himself and his people tied
and herded in a punitive forced march north
along the rugged Oregon coastline to the
newly established Coast (Siletz) Reservation.
For most it was a last look at their homeland.
US Army Captain Edward O.C. Ord
commented on the journey, “It almost makes
me shed tears to listen to them wailing as
they totter along. ” Many died on the way,
or soon after arriving at the reservation.
Robert Kentta of Siletz Cultural
Programs explains, “Tribes fro m western
Oregon and parts o f northern California
were removed to this reservation, where
after many years o f disease, starvation, and
other hardships they eventucdfy established
themselves as the Confederated Tribes o f
Siletz Indians. Massive reductions o f even
the treaty guaranteed reservation lands
continues to affect the descendants o f the
will...Indians in Oregon were being subjected
to a bloody scheme by murderers....” At the
close o f the Rogue River Wars, Tyee John
was among the last to give up fighting for the
right to stay in his homeland.
With the winter snows of early 1856,
the first groups o f Rogue Valley natives were
marched to the new reservation. As others
gave up fighting that summer, they were
brought to Port Orford and held as prisoners,
until they were loaded, 600 at a time, on the
steamship
Columbia . bound for the
reservation.
May 20, 1856 brought harsh
negotiations with the tJS Army, and when
other Rogue River bands overwhelmed by the
odds had given up, Tecumtum stated his
position, “This is my country: I was in it
when these large trees were very small...My
heart is sick o f fighting, but I want to live in
my country. I f the white people are willing,
I will go back to Deer Creek and live among
them as I used io do; they can visit my
camp, and I will visit theirs; but I will not
lay down my arms and go with you on the
reservation.”
people portrayed in this painting. ”
According to Tami Miner, project
manager for Siletz Tribal Fine Arts, “This is
the first in a series o f commissioned works
by award winning artist Peggy O ’N eal. The
Lost Chapters, published by Siletz Tribal
Fine Arts, strives to accurately communicate
the history, traditions, and, culture o f the
Confederated Tribes o f Siletz Indians. H a lf
o f all proceeds support the Confederated
Tribes o f Siletz.” *.
“Perhaps m o st
importantly” states artist O’Neal, “each
work is intended to add new perspective to
the complex issues o f our country’s Native
American history. ”
The public is invited to the release
and artist signing of posters and limited
edition prints at the Chinook Winds Casino
from 4pm to 7pm Friday, October 11 and
from 1pm to 7pm Saturday, October 12 and
Sunday, October 13. Image size of the
posters and prints iw 21 i /2 “ X 29”. Other
related works by Ms O’Neal commissioned
by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
are four murals in the Siletz Tribal
Administration Building.
Payment Information
In tro b w c in s The Lost C hapters Series
bvj Pessvj O’ÌM ca I
Paym ent can be m ade by credit card
(M aster Card or Visa), check or
To O rder
The firs t vn , T he L o s t C hapters se rie s A h n k u t t i e 7 7 ///c (/m s (A n c esto rs) b y money order made payable to Siletz
Tribal Fine Arts.
Peggy O ’N eal ju s t com plete th is form and send it to:
S ile tz T r ib a l F in e A rts
Name
PO B o x 270
S ile tz O r, 9 7 3 8 0
Q
-|“ 1
or c a ll 1 -5 4 1 -4 4 4 -1 3 4 7 and o rd e r w ith M a ste rc a rd 1-^ or V isa
Address
Item#
Ahnkuttie Tiliicums
! 22
Price
Quantity
City
State
Zip
Total
$125.00
Limited Edition Print
Ahnkuttie Tiliicums
Artist Proof Print
23
$175.00
Ahnkuttie Tiliicums
Poster
■ 24
$25.00
■"'A".'.
Shipping Information A shipping and
handling charge of $8.00 is applicable to
all orders. Orders will be shipped within
10 days of receipt of payment.
H a lf o fa ll proceeds support the
Confederated Tribes o f S ile tz
Indians.
Add $8.00 for shipping and
handling
Total
Tbarik vpw
Credit Card Account #
Exp. Date
Signature
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