Kalapuya

The Kalapuya are a group of allied Native American peoples who historically inhabited the Willamette Valley and nearby foothills in western Oregon. They consisted of several bands or communities that spoke Kalapuyan languages and lived along rivers such as the Willamette and its tributaries. Among the better known bands are the Clackamas, Kalapuya proper (including related groups in the Calapooia and Yamhill regions), Santiam, Luckiamute, and others. The Kalapuya peoples collectively used the land through seasonal rounds, accessing salmon and other fish, game, acorns, berries, and root foods.

Language and culture: The Kalapuya spoke Kalapuyan languages, which are traditionally grouped into Northern, Central, and Southern Kalapuya subgroups. Today these languages are extinct, though some phrases and vocabulary are preserved in oral histories and language revitalization efforts. Material culture included basketry, shore and riverine implements, hunting equipment, and canoes. Settlement patterns ranged from riverine villages to smaller seasonal camps; communities often organized around kinship networks and local leadership.

Historical relations and present status: During the mid-19th century, treaties and migration due to European-American settlement led to the relocation of many Kalapuya people to reservations. Survivors were absorbed into the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz, among others, and are descendants of those bands today. Contemporary efforts focus on language preservation, cultural revival, and recognition of Kalapuya heritage within these tribal communities.