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The News-Review--May 21, 2007
The park was named for Chief Miwaleta, who negotiated the Cow Creek tribe's treaty with the USA federal government in 1853.
Miwaleta was described by former US Senator Mark Hatfield "as a very distinguished American, a man of peace, a man who understood the role of leadership."
Miwaleta was known for being friendly with non-Indians and counseled his people against joining in the Indians Wars in the 1850s.
By John Sowell
Former Douglas County Commissioner Mike Winters walked out along the short spit at Chief Miwaleta Park and eyed the wide expanse of water ringed by fir trees.
"This is so beautiful," Winters said, moments before a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the park.
About 100 people gathered for the ceremony Saturday afternoon.
The Rededication ceremony took place near the end of American Indian Week, proclaimed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski, honoring the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians and Oregon's eight other federally recognized tribes.
The guests at the park rededication ceremony included Cow Creek tribal officials, Douglas County Commissioners Doug Robertson and Joe Laurance, former Commissioners Bill Vian and Joyce Morgan, county Parks Director Jim Dowd and former Parks Director Tom Keel.
Winters and Sue Shaffer, the Cow Creek tribal chairwoman, served on the county Park Advisory Board when the park was created along the reservoir with the construction of the Galesville Dam.
The area included by the park and its surroundings, along the upper Cow Creek, was a historically important place for the Cow Creeks.
The park was named for Miwaleta, the chief who negotiated the tribe's treaty with the federal government.
Miwaleta was known for being friendly with non-Indians and counseled his people against joining in the Indian Wars in the 1850s.
Shaffer read from the speech of former U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield at the original park dedication on May 30, 1987. Hatfield had said it was fitting to name the park after Miwaleta.
"I think it is very significant that this one is named for a very distinguished American, a man who led his people in the 1850s, a man of peace, a man who had not only understood the role of leadership but had certainly helped to harmonize life of people with their environment and their resources," Shaffer said in reading from Hatfield's speech.
Shaffer thanked both Hatfield and former Sen. Bob Packwood, along with former U.S. Reps. Jim Weaver and Les AuCoin, all of whom were instrumental in helping the tribe obtain federal recognition.
Former President Ronald Reagan signed into law the recognition status on Dec. 29, 1982.
Robertson said a large group of people were responsible for helping the county obtain the land for the park from the federal government. He saluted them for their dedication to the project.
"We had so much support, but without Commissioner Bill Vian, without any question, and without John Youngquist, who as you know we lost last year, we wouldn't be here today," Robertson said. "Their combined efforts with Sen. Mark Hatfield created the (Galesville Dam) impoundment and gave us the opportunity to move forward with the park."
On Wednesday, the Board of Commissioners will open bids for construction of campground spaces.
Twenty-two recreational vehicle spaces, along with 1,900 feet of roadway, will be built along the reservoir shore.