History of the Cow Creeks

Section 1

Wyden Salutes Vets for Service and Talks about Health Care The Roseburg News-Review---July 6, 2008 Speaking at the Ninth Annual Fourth of July tribute sponsored by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden told a roomful of veterans that he will seek an increase in funding in health care for them and other Americans in the coming year.

Memorial Day Events Scheduled Around Douglas County The Roseburg News-Review---May 23, 2008 Sue Shaffer from the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe will speak at the Veterans Remembrance Ceremony at Canyonville City Hall during the Memorial Day Weekend. The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is holding Memorial Day celebrations around Oregon this weekend, including several in Douglas County. The first celebration, a Veterans Remembrance Ceremony, will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Canyonville City Hall, 250 N. Main.

Canyonville to Celebrate 150th Birthday The Roseburg News Review--–May 15, 2008 Canyonville is hosting an all-day birthday party during the Memorial Day weekend to celebrate its existence as a community for longer than Oregon has been a state--more than 150 years. The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians will have a booth with tribal artifacts, craft demonstrations and information. A group of Native American drummers from Klamath Falls, Good Medicine, will provide entertainment.

Clinton Visit Draws Quite a Crowd The Roseburg News Review---May 13, 2008 Sue Shaffer is a member of the Oregon steering committee for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. President Bill Clinton officially thanked Sue Shaffer and the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua tribe of Indians at a campaign speech for his wife, Hilary Rodham Clinton at the Roseburg high school. President Clinton’s visit to Roseburg is a historic occasion and is a wonderful opportunity for people who have never met a president before.

The Umpqua National Forest is celebrating its 100th Anniversary This Year The Roseburg News Review---April 22, 2008 The Umpqua National Forest Anniversary Celebration will feature an exhibit of art, tools and artifacts of the Indians of the Umpqua River area. A Cow Creek representative will explain the use of the tools.

FINAL NOTICE OF CUSTODY DETERMINATION FOR NAGPRA MATERIALS (NAGPRA is the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) The Roseburg News Review--August 20, 2007 Human remains were found on BLM lands near Gold Hill, Oregon in 2006. Analysis revealed the remains to be those of a Native American adult. As historic documents and other research indicate the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians have utilized the area for at least two hundred years, it is planned to transfer the remains to the Cow Creeks.

Ceremony marks Rededication of Chief Miwaleta Park The News-Review--May 21, 2007 TThe 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.

Roseburg-A Railroad Town that Survived Blast to Lead Douglas County The Roseburg News-Review---May 21, 2007 The City of Roseburg has had an interesting and challenging history over the last 150 years since first platted in 1851. With plans by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians to add a Convention Center to the city center and population growth coming to the area for the first time in years, Roseburg may rise again in the minds of Oregonians.

Douglas County Museums The Roseburg News Review---May 21, 2007 Rich in cultural lore and stories of the Cow Creek Tribe of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and of Douglas County's founders and pioneers, the region's museums offer history, excitement and education to visitors.

Government may Tighten Tribal Casino Rules The Roseburg News Review-May 14, 2007 New federal rules are being considered that could affect the ability and timeliness of Indians tribes to place tribal land into "tribal trust". Land in tribal trust is governed by Indian tribal government and is exempt from many federal and state rules including rules about gaming. This failure to expedite lands into tribal trust could create a serious problem for many rural Oregon counties who have benefited from the diversified businesses developed by Indian tribes from casino profits and provided much needed economic development and steady employment.

County seeks Dialogue on Land Transfer to Tribal Trust The Roseburg News Review-December 28, 2006 Cow Creek tribal officials state that tribal giving to nonprofit organizations and public bodies provides a far greater benefit to the Douglas County than any loss of property tax dollars when the Cow Creeks transfer land into tribal trust. However, Douglas County Commissioners agreed to ask the Bureau of Indian Affairs to consider the impact of tribal transfers on county property tax rolls.

Governor talks with Native Americans: Meeting of the elders The Roseburg News Review---December 14, 2006 The purpose of the ninth annual summit of the nine federally recognized Indian tribes of Oregon, said Governor Kulongoski, was to build relationships. "I see you as sovereigns, as equals and as citizens of the great state of Oregon," says the governor. Sue Shaffer, chairwoman of the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, said the tribes' intentions are to have their neighbors understand that "this is our home land."

Genocide, then Tax Break Complaints The Roseburg News Review---December 6, 2006 Letter To the Editor First, we WASPs robbed the Cow Creek People of their land, then we destroyed their language and annihilated their culture. Now, Commissioner Kittelman complains that the tax break we give them is an unfair advantage. This seems the heights of hypocrisy says the writer of a letter to the editor.

EDITORIAL: Kittelman and One Nation United Roseburg News Review---November 29, 2006 Commissioner Marilyn Kittelman's stance on land transfers is her own. Kittelman plans to continue to challenge the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians about the exercise of its rights under federal law. (applying to put land transfers into federal trust). However, a majority of county residents are not supporting her to travel to Washington to argue her personal opinion and members of the Oregon congressional delegation have said there is no likelihood that attempts to change federal law on this issue will be successful.

County Commissioner Kittelman to Resist Tribal Land Expansion The Roseburg News Review---November 26, 2006 The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs has asked the Douglas County Commissioners for comments on the recent application of the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians to place a 30-acre parcel of land into federal trust. Commissioner Marilyn Kittelman said she plans to oppose the plans of the Cow Creeks to place tribal land into federal trust.

Tribe Officials Pleased with Land Transfer Resolution The Roseburg News Review---July 27, 2006 Officials with the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians said they were pleased with the vote by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners to approve a joint county-tribal resolution on the land transfer issue.

New deal with tribe; advisory vote off The Roseburg News-Review-July 26, 2006 County Commissioners Doug Robertson and Dan Van Slyke vote for new tribal trust deal and cancel planned advisory vote.

Editorial - Senators are right - time to resolve land conflict The Roseburg News-Review Editorial-July 20, 2006 Listen up, Douglas County. When Oregon's two U.S. senators step into a local situation, noting that it isn't productive to residents, it's time to pay attention.

Senators are right—time to resolve land conflict The Roseburg News-Review—July 20, 2006 EDITORIAL:  Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden sent a letter to Douglas County commissioners and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, urging them to resolve their impasse over land transfers.

Senators ask county, tribe to settle their differences The Roseburg News-Review-July 19, 2006 Oregon's senators ask Douglas County Commissioners and the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians to work together to resolve the "impasse" over the tribal land transfer issue.

Casinos deal clout, controversy to lobbyists The Eugene Register-Guard-July 18, 2006 While the tribes have won the attention of lawmakers, they also fend off animosity.

Success of casinos ups ante on tribes' power in politics The Eugene Register-Guard-July 18, 2006 EMERGING PLAYERS - Third of a four-part series on Indian casinos in Oregon

Success of casinos ups ante on tribes’ power in politics The Roseburg News-Review - August 25, 2006 At the County Commissioners meeting, the Cow Creek attorney explains tribal plans to spend millions of dollars to build a convention center on tribal lands in downtown Roseburg...

The 1,000-year plan The Eugene Register-Guard-July 17, 2006 Once nearly wiped out, the Cow Creek are building a formidable future.

Gaming and gaining The Eugene Register-Guard-July 16, 2006 Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes are pulling their sovereign nations out of the abject poverty that has had them in a chokehold for decades.

People in the News Column (excerpt) The Roseburg News-Review-May 31, 2006 Wayne Shammel, general counsel of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, addresses a U.S. Senate subcommittee on finance in Washington, D.C.

NEWSMAKERS The Roseburg News-Review-May 31, 2006 Wayne Shammel, general counsel of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, spoke to a U.S. Senate subcommittee on finance in Washington, D.C. on May 23.

Van Slyke changes mind again on tribal land vote The Roseburg News-Review-May 24, 2006 Two days after saying he would vote against a resolution authorizing an advisory vote on the tribal land issue, Douglas County Commissioner Dan Van Slyke voted for the measure Wednesday.

Douglas County home to pioneer past The Roseburg News-Review-May 19, 2006 It's the size of Connecticut, home to everything from beaches to snowy mountains to rich, wet forestland. Douglas County is touted as the hundred valleys of the Umpqua - a formidable slogan that defies the curious to explore and count them all.

Tribe hopes to build off-reservation casino in Eastern Oregon The Roseburg News-Review-May 5, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon tribe hopes to build an off-reservation casino in the Ontario area of Eastern Oregon, perhaps along Interstate 84.

New bingo hall set to open at Seven Feathers Canyonville casino The Roseburg News-Review-March 8, 2006 CANYONVILLE - If bingo built Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort, then bingo is getting its due when a new bingo hall opens to the public Thursday on the casino's second floor.

Forest Service to protect native plants The Roseburg News-Review-January 25, 2006 The Umpqua National Forest and the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest jointly announced their decision Tuesday to preserve the "Huckleberry Patch" as a special-interest area.

Cow Creeks pumped $107 million into '04 county economy The Roseburg News-Review-December 19, 2005 The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians contributed more than $107 million to the economy of Douglas County in 2004, according to a study commissioned by the tribe.

Group aims to Take Away Tribal Rights The Roseburg News-Review – October 7, 2005 Letters to the Editor—Daniel Robertson and Shannon Applegate The historic tradition of mutual support between settlers and the Cow Creek Indians and other native peoples so unique to Douglas County has been sullied by the machinations of this special interest group, “One Nation United”.

County Government can Work with Cow Creeks to Improve Roseburg and Add Jobs The Roseburg News-Review---August 28, 2005 Two Douglas County commissioners are vigorously opposing the request of the Cow Creek Indians to remove a 2-acre parcel of land from county tax rolls prior to developing it.

Cow Creek Tribe strikes back The Roseburg News-Review - August 25, 2005 At the County Commissioners meeting, the Cow Creek attorney explains tribal plans to spend millions of dollars to build a convention center on tribal lands in downtown Roseburg...

Canyonville mayor, city councilor angrily quit The Roseburg News-Review - August 25, 2005 Canyonville Mayor Chuck Spindel who was responsible for establishing rapport with Cow Creeks abruptly resigns.

County opposes granting trust status to downtown tribal property The Roseburg News-Review - August 18, 2005 Two Douglas County Commissioners write to the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs opposing the placement of tribal land in tribal trust. ...

Appreciative of Capt. Thomason recognition The Roseburg News-Review - July 17, 2005 Letter to the Editor - Sue Shaffer

Rep. Kennedy pushes for improved health care The Roseburg News-Review - July 8, 2005 Congressman Kennedy, co-founder of the House Native American Caucus, was invited to speak by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Douglas County Democratic Party.

Tribal land swap plan a piece of justice The Roseburg News-Review - May 25, 2004 - Letter to the Editor - Mark Eagleton

Public Forum - Tribal land swap plan a piece of justice The Roseburg News-Review-May 25, 2004 This is in response to Commissioner Dan Van Slyke's guest column in the April 15 News-Review. The dismal history of the United States Government's dealings vs. the aboriginal Americans ranges from outright lying, to breaking maybe every treaty ever signed, to a policy of genocide.

Douglas County boasts nearly 200 years of history The Roseburg News-Review-May 24, 2004 It's touted as the hundred valleys of the Umpqua - a formidable slogan that defies the curious to explore and count them all.

Changing face of Cow Creek The Roseburg News-Review - April 11, 2004 Every winter, after the first snow fell on Tiller, a man in his 90s would take off his shoes and run in circles around his log cabin with arms raised.

Indian law should be on state bar exam The Eugene Register-Guard-October 10, 2003 In late September, several hundred citizens successfully made it through the Oregon legal community's rite of passage - the state bar examination.

Historical picnic on Saturday Roseburg News-Review-September 16, 2003 CANYONVILLE - For generations, shared traditions have cemented bonds between southern Douglas County's American Indian population and descendants of Oregon Trail settlers. On Saturday, the South Umpqua Historical Society hopes to create new traditions by hosting a picnic at Stanton Park in Canyonville.

Roseburg's deceased founder due day in court Roseburg News-Review-May 12, 2003 Aaron Rose died in 1899, but he's still expected to appear in Douglas County Circuit Court in less than 30 days to clear up a legal matter.

Historical society, tribe give gift of knowledge Roseburg News-Review-May 2, 2003 Two local organizations are trying to illuminate Douglas County's past for today's youth.

Tribe unveils ambitious $20 million plan Roseburg News-Review-May 1, 2003 CANYONVILLE - Twenty years ago, Bureau of Indian Affairs Regional Chief Stanley Speaks tried to block development of a bingo parlor proposed by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

'Mac' an invaluable ham Roseburg News-Review-September 26, 2002 CANYONVILLE - Her friends in the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians government offices call her "Mac," but to most everyone else she's Carol McKinney.

Cow Creek's bash draws who's who of politicians The Roseburg News-Review - Apr. 29, 2002 Cow Creek Tribe, along with 400 invitation-only guests, celebrated 20 years of federal recognition and 10 years since the opening of its original bingo parlor, now the location of its Seven Feathers Resort.

Cow Creek tribe flourishes despite a rocky past The Portland Oregonian - April 28, 2002 Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe flourishes on the 20th anniversary of gaining government recognition and despite a rocky past it now is the second largest employer in Douglas County Oregon.

Coming of Age The Roseburg News-Review - April 21, 2002 Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Chairman Sue Shaffer speaks wistfully about the struggles of her ancestors, the French connection and the dawning of the new era.

A Champion of Indian Causes The Oregon News-Review-March 4, 2002 A commitment to his own ancestry and the well-being of these tribes prompted Shammel to champion their causes using Indian law. He as worked for the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians for 10 years, 8 of them in Roseburg.

Sue Schaffer, tribal chair of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians U of O Faculty Newsletter - Inside Oregon - Dec. 2001

A Better Future The Eugene Register-Guard - August 25, 2000 Cow Creek Umpqua Tribal Chairman Sue Shaffer, wills things to happen, and spearheaded the drive for federal recognition of the Cow Creek Tribe of Umpqua Indians and has been their chairwoman since 1983.

Resurrection of a Tribe The Portland Oregonian - Aug. 10, 1999 Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Tribal Chairman Sue Shaffer, Cow Creek's indomitable force, has resurrected the Tribe and forged a vision for the 1,050 member Tribe.

Seven Feathers Casino - A Major Economic Source 1999 Cow Creek Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort becomes a major economic source helping to carry the financial load of the once prosperous logging community deep in the hearts of timber country.

Testimony Of Sue M. Shaffer, Chairman Cow Creek Band Of Umpqua Tribe Of Indians The United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs - April 7, 1998

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Cow Creek Indians: A Forgotten People The Roseburg News-Review–1980 The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians has recently achieved a important legal victory. President Jimmy Carter signed into law a bill recognizing the Cow Creek Band as a federally recognized Band of Indians.

Descendants Rediscover Long-lost Cow Creek Tribe The Portland Oregonian---November 9, 1980 In the annals of American Indian History, the Cow Creeks were a classic example of a Vanished Culture except for the creativity, commitment and hard work of Chuck Jackson, his cousin, Sue Shaffer, and a handful of other dedicated Cow Creek Band members.

Cow Creek Bill Becomes Law The Roseburg News Review – June 1980 President Jimmy Carter signed into law a bill that will allow the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians to file a claim in the U.S. Court of Claims.

Cow Creek Indians in 3-Generation Fight The Roseburg News-Review - June l8, 1979 For more than 50 years the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians has been seeking permission from the U.S. federal government to go to Court to argue that the federal government cheated their ancestors.

Cow Creeks Claim Treaty Ignored; Bills Introduced in Congress The Portland Oregonian - March 18, 1979 The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians is requesting Congress to pass bills giving them official legal status so they can apply for a review of the Treaty negotiated in 1853.

Thoughts on Thinking Like an Indian UMPQUA FOLKLIFE BOOK edited by Suzi Jones: 1979 In his search to rediscover the meaning of having an Indian background, Chuck Jackson discovered the older people sometimes suffered because they were Indian.

A County man proud of His Indian heritage The Roseburg News-Review - October 1978 The Cow Creek Indians have been in Oregon for over 6,000 years and family legends go back to when Crater Lake blew up.

Diary Of William P. Thomason Pioneer Days in Canyonville, Canyonville Lions Club, 1968

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