Alsea
Alsea refers to the Indigenous peoples of Yakonan stock who historically inhabited a small area near the mouth of the Alsea River along the western coast of Oregon. The name derives from the Alsean word "Alsi'", and they are part of the Alsean language family within the Penutian language phylum. The Alsea are believed to be closely related to the Yaquina tribe. Their early interactions with European settlers began during the Lewis and Clark expedition in the winter of 1805-1806. Traditionally, the Alsea lived in small villages along the river, leading a lifestyle centered around fishing, hunting, and gathering, with several notable villages established on both sides of the river.
In the mid-1800s, the Alsea were assigned to a reservation for the Siletz and other tribes, and after the reservation's size was reduced in 1875, they were relocated to the new Siletz reservation. Over the years, as their numbers dwindled, many descendants have been enrolled in other tribes in Oregon. According to census data, the self-identification of individuals as Alsea has significantly decreased, with only one person identifying as Alsea in the 2010 Census, leaving their current numbers and cultural visibility uncertain. Today, the Alsea are affiliated with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon.
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Subject Terms
Alsea
Category: Tribe
Culture area: Northwest Coast
Language group: Penutian
Primary location: Oregon Coast
Population size: 1 (2010 US Census)
Alsea is the name given to the peoples of Yakonan stock occupying a small territory at (and near) the mouth of the Alsea River along the coast of western Oregon. The modern form of this name is a variant of the Alsean word Alsi’. Based upon linguistic classification, they are speakers of a language that is part of the Alsean family of the Penutian language phylum and appear to be most closely related to the Yaquina tribe .
Little is known about the Alsea's early history. They first interacted with European settlers during the Lewis and Clark expedition while they wintered in the area during the winter of 1805–1806. They remained on and around their traditional territory after they were assigned to a reservation for the Siletz and other tribes in the mid-1800s because their territory was part of the original reservation. When the reservation was reduced in size in 1875, they were removed to the new Siletz reservation.
Before the arrival of significant numbers of White settlers, the Alsea lived in small villages on both sides of the river and at the river mouth, engaged in a primarily riverine and woodland lifestyle based on fishing, hunting, and gathering. On the north side of the river were the villages of Kutauwa, Kyamaisu, Tachuwit, Kaukhwas, Yulehais, Kakhtshanwaish, Shiuwauk, Khlokhwaiyutslu, and Melcumtk. On the south side of the river were the villages of Yahach, Chiink, Kauhuk, Kwulisit, Kwamk, Skhakhwaiyutslu, Khlimkwaish, Kalbusht, Panit, Thielkushauk, and Thlekuhweyuk. At the mouth of the river was the village of Neahumtuk. Today the Alsea are affiliated with the larger political unit of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon. In the 1990 US Census, twelve people identified themselves as Alsea. Twenty years later, only one person identified as Alsea in the 2010 US Census. In 2023, their numbers were unknown, and it was unclear if any individuals continued to identify as Alsea. Over time, the descendants of the Alsea were enrolled in several other American Indian tribes residing in Oregon.
Bibliography
Frachtenberg, Leo J. "Myths of the Alsea Indians of Northwestern Oregon." International Journal of American Linguistics 1.1 (1917): 64–75. Print.
Lewis, David. “Alsea Subagency of Siletz Reservation.” The Oregon Encyclopedia, 19 Oct. 2022, www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/alsea‗subagency‗of‗siletz‗reservation/#.ZB1UauzMJmA. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.
"Native American Tribes & the Indian History in Alsea, Oregon." American Indian COC, americanindiancoc.org/native-american-tribes-the-indian-history-in-alsea-oregon/. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.