Arts and Media Basics:
Folklife Resources

For generations, Native American Indians in Lincoln County have fished as a main source of their diet. They feed their families and provide food for community, social, and religious ceremonies. Before the arrival of European Americans to the region, Indians gathered mussels from the rocks on the beach, dug clams and oysters from the bays, dipped salmon from the rivers, and hooked eel from the streams. They also highly valued the shells and other materials from the sea for making clothing, jewelry, and baskets. The coastal Indians also traded these materials with inland tribes for items they needed or valued.

After large numbers of white people began arriving, the Indians were forces to move away from the ocean to a reservation in Lincoln County. Other non-coastal tribes were also moved there to live. These many different tribal groups became known as the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon.

Since the Indians no longer lived near the bays or ocean, it became difficult for them to maintain all of their fishing activities. Over the years, state and federal regulations have further changed Native American fishing practices. Today, Siletz Indians continue to fight for their rights to fish on the rivers and bays of Lincoln County.

Salmon is a sacred food for more Northwest Indian tribes. Siletz Indians fish for salmon each year on Euchre Creek in Lincoln County. Here, wooden scaffolds are build out over the edge of the creek. During the fall salmon run, tribal members stand on the scaffolds and use long-handled dip nets to catch the fish. As salmon swim upstream, the fishermen scoop the fish out of the water with the nets. Everyone shared his or her catch with family members and elders. Some fish are donated for tribal feasts and celebrations.

Although the eel population has almost disappeared in recent years, hooking eels is another Indian fishing tradition in the county. Eel fishing was done at night with lanterns. Fishermen hung lights over the water of built bonfires close to the edges of the water. As the eels swam into the light, fishermen used a long pole with a hook on the end of it to snag the eel. They would then sling the eels onto the creek bank where children waited with gunny sacks to pick them up and drop them in.

Siletz Indians have several traditional ways of preparing salmon and eel. The most well known cooking tradition is smoking the fish. After the fish or eel are cleaned and filleted they are often placed over or near an outdoor fire which cooks and smokes the meat. Some people make small wooden or metal shacks or cookers in which they smoke the fish. Smoked salmon is the main dish as pow wows and other community celebrations. The Siletz Tribal Smokehouse in Depoe Bay, a tribal-owned business, also sells this specialty to tourists.

Activities

Activity 1: Explore with students, what are their favorite foods? Is it something that has been passed down in their own family, or something they have tasted somewhere else? Is this dish eaten at certain holidays? For certain ceremonial events? Are there foods that make them feel better when they are sick? Do they eat different foods in the summer and winter? Are these ingredients that they can catch or grow themselves? Is there a process for preparing the ingredients before they can cook with them?

Have students get the recipe for their favorite dish and either make it themselves or ask if they can watch while it is made. If possible, have them bring a sample of the dish, along with the recipe, to class for a foot ways festivals.

While you are enjoying everyone's favorite foods, share the stories of each dish. Collect all the recipes and make a class cookbook, including the stories behind the recipes.

Top

Commercial Fishing: A Traditional Occupation
What is Maritime Folklife?
Folklife Resources Index