Molala
The Molala, also known as Molale, were a historically marginalized tribe that inhabited the interior regions of Washington and Oregon. Their language was distinct yet related to that of the Cayuse tribe, with whom they have shared historical ties. Oral traditions suggest that the Molala originally lived alongside the Cayuse on the Deschutes River but were eventually separated due to conflicts with neighboring tribes. Notably, a creek in the Willamette Valley bears the name "Molala," signifying the territory they occupied after aligning with the Klikitat to expel previous inhabitants.
In 1855, the Molala participated in treaties with other tribes in the Willamette Valley, leading to their relocation to a reservation, primarily the Grande Ronde Reservation in Oregon. Over time, they adopted European American customs and intermarried with other tribal groups, which led to a loss of distinct tribal identity as they were considered absorbed by other tribes. By 1881, a small number of Molala were reported to be living outside the reservation in the Cascade Mountains. In 1964, the tribes of the Grande Ronde Reservation united to form the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde, with a population of 797 reported in the 2021 US Census. The history and legacy of the Molala reflect the broader challenges faced by Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest.
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Molala
Category: Tribe
Culture area: Plateau
Language group: Molale (Penutian)
Primary location: Oregon
Population size:797 (2017-2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; Grand Ronde Community and Off-Reservation Trust Land, OR)
The Molala (or Molale), a poorly recorded tribe, lived in the interior of Washington and Oregon. Their language, while related to that of the Cayuse, was quite distinct. Cayuse tradition suggests that the Molala once lived with them on the Deschutes River but that the two tribes were driven apart and to the west by hostile neighbors. “Molala” is the name of a creek in the Willamette Valley, which a Molala band occupied by joining with the Klikitat to drive out its former inhabitants. Other bands settled on the Umpqua and Rogue rivers to the north. In 1855, the Molala joined with a number of other Willamette Valley tribes in two treaties. They agreed to give up their lands and move with other small tribal groups to a reservation. Many moved to the Grande Ronde Reservation in Oregon, where they adopted European American clothing and customs. They intermarried freely with other tribes and were considered by official enumerators to have been absorbed by other tribes. In 1881, as many as twenty Molala were living outside the reservation in the Cascade Mountains. In 1964, the tribes of the reservation formed the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde. The US Census taken in 2021 listed the Grande Ronde tribal population as 797.
Bibliography
Chapman, Judith Sanders, and Lois E. Helvey Ray. Molalla. Arcadia, 2008.
Emmert, Irene. "Molala Kate: A Link to the Past." Molalla Area Historical Society, dibblehouse.org/molala-life.html. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.
Johnson, Oscar. "The Molala: A Nation of Good Hunters." Smoke Signals. Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, 1999. Molalla Area Historical Society. dibblehouse.org/the-molalas.html. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.
Lewis, David G. "We Would Prefer to Remain in Our Own Lands: The Molalla People." NDN History Research. Ethnohistory Research, 2015. ndnhistoryresearch.com/2015/07/30/we-would-prefer-to-remain-in-our-own-lands-the-molalla-people/. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.
Zybach, Bob. "Santiam Molalla History, Culture, and Geography." Owl Ridge Trails Report. Oregon Websites and Watersheds Project, 30 June 2008. www.orww.org/Reports/Owl‗Ridge‗Trails/Part‗1-2‗History-Methods.pdf. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.