November 2, 2017 Episode.
There are many places in the region of Oregon west of the Cascade Mountains named for the indigenous people who lived here before the immigrants arrived. Kalapuya, Callapuya, Calapooia, Kalapooia are just some of the various published spellings for the Native Americans who lived in the oak savanah region between two mountain ranges that we now call the Willamette Valley. The drawing to the left depicting one tribal member was sketched by A. T. Agate of the US Exploratory Expedition in 1841.
There are many places in the region of Oregon west of the Cascade Mountains named for the indigenous people who lived here before the immigrants arrived. Kalapuya, Callapuya, Calapooia, Kalapooia are just some of the various published spellings for the Native Americans who lived in the oak savanah region between two mountain ranges that we now call the Willamette Valley. The drawing to the left depicting one tribal member was sketched by A. T. Agate of the US Exploratory Expedition in 1841.
Kalapuya Range (ivory color), Treaty of 1855 Although we in the mid-Willamette Valley like to lay claim to the Kalapuya as "our" tribe, different bands of this tribe lived the entire length of the Willamette River, walking along well-worn paths from the northern coast to Klamath Lake in southern Oregon and down into northern California during their annual travels. A popular winter gathering point was right here in Salem, a place they called "Chemeketi," where Riverfront Park and Marion Square are located today.
Published documentation on the various bands of Native Americans in Oregon, especially in our area, is relatively scarce. In the map shown at the right, the range of the Kalapuya is designated by the ivory color. In 1856, 27 tribes occupied the Oregon Territory. They were all relocated to the Grand Ronde Reservation. When we were contacted by Ken Ploeser, today's guest, about the research he had gathered in a rather unique manner, we were very excited to learn what he had to share.
Published documentation on the various bands of Native Americans in Oregon, especially in our area, is relatively scarce. In the map shown at the right, the range of the Kalapuya is designated by the ivory color. In 1856, 27 tribes occupied the Oregon Territory. They were all relocated to the Grand Ronde Reservation. When we were contacted by Ken Ploeser, today's guest, about the research he had gathered in a rather unique manner, we were very excited to learn what he had to share.
Ken Ploeser, Creek Walk Project, and "Antiok Hill" broom [Photo: KPloeser] For years, Ken Ploeser operated a llama-tour business in the area surrounding Silver Falls State Park, combining his interest in trekking the wilderness and preserving the natural legacy of the area. He and his wife Michelle purchased property in the Waldo Hills area of southeast Salem as their base, where he found an old broom with "Antiok Hill" painted on it. Thus began his research on the previous folks who had lived on and around this parcel of land. He learned that his home is located on the site of the 1848-49 Antioch Church & Community Center, one of five early churches in the Macleay area. His home is also part of the Eoff Donation Land Claim on what became known as Eoff's Hill (the Eoff Electric Company is still active in Salem). The Ahant-chu-yuk ("away from the Pudding River") band as well as the Santiam band of the Kalapuya tribe had called this area home for at least 1500 years.
Kalapuyas gathered in Portland area (Photo, PDX.history) Ken learned that there were three main areas of gathering for the indigenous people in Marion County: the French Prairie area near Mt. Angel, for trading with the trappers; the eastern county area (south of State Street) known as Howell's Prairie and Eoff's Hill; and "Chemekiti" Prairie at the confluence of the Willamette River (from north of Marion Square Park south to Mill Creek). What a band seemed to be good at (fishing, cultivating native camas roots or wapato (potatoes), etc.) appears to have determined their primary area. The Lake Labish area of north Salem/Keizer ("Chemaway") grew camas and wapato well for the Pudding River band. The "Chemekiti" prairie was the winter trade hub for those following the southern branch of the Klamath Trail up along the Santiam River, before heading north to Champoeg. In the summer, "Chehalem" (the Willows in the Oak Grove), now known as the Oregon State Fairgrounds, was a major gathering point. Mt. Angel Abbey sits on "Apalamaho", the Kalapuya's "sacred hill."
| Ken's unique manner of research includes walking the creeks of our area and their various branches, beginning at their confluence with the Willamette River and heading "upriver" as far as he can. He documents what he finds by camera, field notes, and GPS marking. He then begins researching the area he has walked on the internet (just "Google" local street/creek names, he says) and by visiting local history archive resources, such as the Willamette Heritage Center. He contacts tribal offices as well as public work agencies. He shared that one of the first creekwalks he undertook was the Pringle Creek tour found on Virginia Green's website SHINE, and he would encourage anyone to begin with this one. |  Walking Tour Map, SHINE |
Ken Ploesner is so passionate about these waterways, their history, and their future, he has undertaken a new endeavor, the Creek Walk Project, to encourage others to walk the creeks of our region, discovering their beauty and underlying history and, perhaps, an artifact or two. We should value these natural resources that were so very important to our Native American ancestors as well as our immigrant settlers, sharing their history with our children and grandchildren so that generations to come will continue to value them--all the while having a grand time in the great outdoors!
Recently, the Pringle Creek Watershed Council adopted the Creek Walk Project as a partner. You can learn more on their Facebook Page, Creek Walk Project. Ken would love to help you begin by sharing his creek walks with you and hearing about yours. You can reach him through the Facebook page, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 503-362-0873.
Recently, the Pringle Creek Watershed Council adopted the Creek Walk Project as a partner. You can learn more on their Facebook Page, Creek Walk Project. Ken would love to help you begin by sharing his creek walks with you and hearing about yours. You can reach him through the Facebook page, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 503-362-0873.
Posted by Deb Meaghers
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