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these territories were, by all accounts, Kalapuya, as well as with other tribal groups
<br /> highly restricted with respect to the from the coast to the Columbia. Many of
<br /> resource, but open for legitimate purposes these footpaths became the basis for many
<br /> such as trade. Other resources, such as packtrails and wagon trails used by settlers,
<br /> fields of camas and tarweed, were and eventually for roads that are still in use
<br /> controlled by specific villages, and plots today.
<br /> within these fields belonged to specific
<br /> individuals within the village. Wintertime brought the Kalapuya together
<br /> in permanent settlements, characterized by
<br /> One ofthe hallmarks ofthis final chapter of groups of "pit houses", or semi-
<br /> the Kalapuya culture, as with other cultures subterranean, earth-walled buildings with
<br /> in Pacific coast valleys, was the use of fire bark roofs and central fire places. Several
<br /> to manage the landscape. Managed fire families often shared the larger houses.
<br /> was an important discovery~that held many During the short, cold days and long nights,
<br /> benefits for the Kalapuya. First and family groups and villages gathered for a - i
<br />
<br /> ~ foremost, it maintained the open prairie time of storytelling. These stories were not The Kalapuya have a
<br /> landscape favored by camas and native only a form of entertainment, they were the
<br /> rich oral tradition ~ I
<br /> sunflower, their primary food sources. most important vessel for passing anchored in the
<br /> Burning eliminated the competition of trees, knowledge, beliefs and morals of the Willamett® Valley
<br /> shrubs and other grasses that would Kalapuya culture from one generation to the landscape, including
<br /> eventually replace the natural meadows of next. Skinner Butte.
<br /> food crops, and improved growing
<br /> conditions for a host of other secondary This rich oral tradition is anchored in the
<br /> food plants, such as Oregon white oak, landscape of the Willamette Valley. Some
<br /> hazelnut and huckleberry. Fire also created Kalapuya stories, passed from one
<br /> an open, park-like landscape that greatly generation to the next in a very prescribed
<br /> enhanced mobility and the pursuit of game and precise manner, are still told today, and
<br /> such as deer and elk, while at the same represent the truth for the contemporary
<br /> i time concentrating them in the unburned Kalapuya descendants. Local features
<br /> stands of forest where they were easier to such as the Willamette River and Skinner
<br /> 1
<br /> locate. Butte play central roles in their oral heritage. ,
<br /> It has been said that the modern Kalapuya The Kalapuya and Skinner Butte
<br /> had become horticulturalists more so than park
<br /> hunter-gatherers. Probably they were both. Although evidence is particularly sparse for
<br /> But the evidence is clear that they the traditions of the Kalapuya bands living
<br /> intensively managed the landscape to in the southern Willamette Valley, Skinner i..
<br /> produce what is understood to be a reliable gutte was reportedly used for certain
<br /> source of food that supported, and was ceremonial purposes. Historical references
<br /> supported by, a highly organized and indicate the presence of a "stone ring" near
<br />
<br /> ~ successful society. To some descriptions, the summit of the butte that was destroyed ! '
<br /> the Kalapuya lifestyle would have been one by the construction of the second reservoir
<br /> of abundance, in a valley tailored by their in 1906 (see'A Brief History of Skinner Butte
<br /> own ingenuity to suit their needs. Park"). The purpose and timing of these
<br /> ceremonies is unknown. Y
<br /> In the warm months, the Kalapuya typically
<br /> moved about the valley floor, setting up What is more certain, however, is that the
<br /> open camps in different areas as food Kalapuya used the butte for the same ~
<br /> sources became most abundant. This reason many people use it today: as a
<br /> season was marked by the harvest and lookout. From the summit of Skinner Butte,
<br /> preparation of their staple foods such as one could survey the local landscape, from
<br /> camas, sunflower, acorns, tubers, fruits and views of the Three Sisters to the coast
<br /> berries, as well as with hunting and fishing. range, and from Spencer Butte to Mt. Hood
<br /> When the weather was favorable for travel, on a clear day. Keeping in mind that the i
<br /> goods were traded with other bands of
<br /> I
<br /> 26 Chapter 2: Natural History and .Cultural Context
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