For thousands of years, the Takelma people lived in what is now called the Illinois and Rogue River valleys in Oregon. Little is known about their way of life before the arrival of Europeans. Recently, there has been a revival in the expression and study of Takelma
culture
.
Takelma villages were mostly concentrated along the Rogue River, in what is now known as Josephine County. There, seasonal salmon runs, deer, and small game provided a protein-rich diet. Salmon fishing was a large-scale, coordinated effort. Men caught the fish with spears and nets, while women cleaned and dried the meat. The Takelma supplemented their diet with plants. They gathered the root of the Camas plant, which is in the asparagus family, as well as acorns from native oaks. In addition, their diet took advantage of wild fruits. The Takelma are known to have cultivated a native tobacco plant, as well.
European Settlers And Smallpox Outbreaks
As with many Native American societies, the Takelma first encountered European settlers indirectly through outbreaks of smallpox. Such deadly diseases were transmitted by traders and others who moved between native villages. There were two major smallpox outbreaks. The first was carried south from the Columbia River in the 1780s. A second
epidemic
swept north from the California coast between 1837 and 1838. The specific impact of the epidemic on the Takelma and other area populations is unknown. However, estimates of smallpox mortality rates among other Native American populations were as high as 90 percent.
The Hudson's Bay Company first encountered the Takelma around 1829. Its employees tried unsuccessfully to establish a fur trade in the region. The expedition did reveal the existence of the rich inland river valleys to Europeans — home to the Takelma and other native bands. European settlement of these valleys began in the 1830s. Farmers and cattlemen also began moving north from California toward fertile land in the Willamette Valley.
Gold Attracts More Settlers; Indians Sent To Reservation
Gold was discovered near Jacksonville in the Rogue Valley in 1850. In 1851, the precious metal was found in the Illinois Valley. These discoveries attracted more European settlers to the area, some by way of the Oregon Trail. The growing number of settlers increased pressure on Native American communities. The first five years of contact between incoming miners and previous residents soon descended into conflict and open war.
By the end of 1856, the traditional residents of the Rogue and Illinois River valleys were forcibly removed. They were sent to the Siletz
Reservation
on the central Oregon coast. The Takelma were joined on the reservations by their neighbors, the Athapaskans and the Shasta. Other tribes from even farther away, such as the Coos and Tillamook, were also relocated there.
Indians Form Group To Protect Heritage
The Takelma people were a minority on the reservation. Their smaller numbers contribute to the limited understanding of their culture. Smallpox epidemics, warfare, and relocation also eroded their culture and identity. Reports indicate that by 1906 fewer than 10 Takelma were alive and able to speak their native language.
The European settlers soon abandoned their initial mining claims. Most of them had not proven as worthwhile as they had hoped. Many stayed in the area, however. Because of a large demand for timber back east, logging became the main economic force in the area by the turn of the century. Besides logging, many descendants of those settlers made their living as farmers and hunters.
In the 1970s, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians began organizing to protect their rights and
heritage
. The confederation was formed from the tribes that had been relocated to the Siletz Reservation into one larger, intertribal group. Their first elected chief was George Harney of the Takelma people. His granddaughter, Agnes Baker-Pilgrim, continues to educate others about their history and culture.
In 1994, for the first time in more than 140 years, an ancient ceremony was reinstated, welcoming and giving thanks for the returning salmon. People of all backgrounds attended the annual Salmon Gathering on the Applegate River. In 2007, the event was moved to the place where it had been held for thousands of years: the Tilomikh (Powerhouse Falls), on the Rogue River. Since then, the ceremony has taken place every year in its traditional site. It demonstrates that the Takelma culture lives on and will continue.
Read the sentence from the section “Indians Form Group To Protect Heritage.”
Smallpox epidemics, warfare, and relocation also eroded their culture and identity.
Which of the following words, if it replaced the word "eroded" in the sentence above, would CHANGE the meaning of the sentence?
A
hurt
B
extinguished
C
destroyed
D
improved
D
improved
What does the word “epidemic” suggest as it is used in the selection?
There were two major smallpox outbreaks. The first was carried south from the Columbia River in the 1780s. A second epidemic swept north from the California coast between 1837 and 1838.
A
that Native Americans used the disease as a weapon
B
that the disease was not a major problem
C
that the disease spread rapidly to many people
D
that both Europeans and Native Americans died from smallpox
C
that the disease spread rapidly to many people.
Read the article's introduction [paragraphs 1-2].
What does this section show that other sections do not?
A
how Takelma society changed with the arrival of European settlers
B
how the Takelma tribe lived before they interacted with European settlers
C
why the Takelma people were different from other Native American tribes
D
why European settlers were interested in the land the Takelma lived on
B
how the Takelma tribe lived before they interacted with European settlers
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Read the paragraph from the section "Indians Form Group To Protect Heritage."
In 1994, for the first time in more than 140 years, an ancient ceremony was reinstated, welcoming and giving thanks for the returning salmon. People of all backgrounds attended the annual Salmon Gathering on the Applegate River. In 2007, the event was moved to the place where it had been held for thousands of years: the Tilomikh (Powerhouse Falls), on the Rogue River. Since then, the ceremony has taken place every year in its traditional site. It demonstrates that the Takelma culture lives on and will continue.
How does this paragraph contribute to the development of the main ideas of the article?
A
by highlighting how the Takelma are working to bring back key cultural traditions
B
by describing why European settlers originally pushed the Takelma off their land
C
by showing how the Takelma survived economically after encountering European settlers
D
by explaining how many tribes were forced to share the same reservation with the Takelma
A
by highlighting how the Takelma are working to bring back key cultural traditions