Land Not for Sale - Oregon Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

When the first large emigration of Americans crossed the Oregon Trail in 1843 the native tribes of the Pacific Northwest were not overly alarmed -- the region was enormous and could easily absorb the nearly 1,000 new arrivals. Each passing year brought more emigrants, however, and soon with much of the good land in the Willamette Valley taken in 320 acre land claims, settlement began to flow into other parts of the region. The stage was set for tragedy, especially when the federal government insisted that it could buy land from a "head chief." Although the Pacific Northwest tribes were territorial, the concept of land ownership was alien -- lifestyle, religion, and identity were intertwined, and all were bound to the land.

I wonder if this ground has anything to say. . . . The earth and water and grass say God has given our names and we are told those names; Neither the Indians or the whites have a right to change those names. . .the earth says it was from her man was made. God placing them on the earth desired them to take good care of the earth and do each other no harm.

Tauitau
Cayuse Chief, 1855

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