The term most often heard when describing groups of indians is "tribe". However, it is important to note that tribes made up what was known as an Indian Nation. Within the tribes it was broken down into individual "bands" and within the bands it was divided into family groups.

COASTAL TRIBES:
The Chinookan nation was one of the most powerful native groups in Oregon. It included those tribes formerly living on the Columbia River, from The Dalles to its mouth (except a small strip occupied by the Athapascan Tlstskanai), and on the lower Willamette as far as the present site of Oregon City, Oregon. The family also extended a short distance along the coast on each side of the mouth of the Columbia, from Shoalwater bay on the N. to Tillamook Head on the S.

The region occupied by Chinookan tribes seems to have been well populated in early times. Lewis and Clark estimated the total number at somewhat more than 16,000. In 1829, however, there occurred an epidemic of unknown nature, which, in a single summer, destroyed four-fifths of the entire native population. Whole villages disappeared, and others were so reduced that they were, in some cases, absorbed into other villages. The epidemic was most disastrous below the Cascades. In 1846 Hale estimated the number below the Cascades at 500, and between the Cascades and The Dalles at 800. By 1854 Gibbs gave the population of the former region as 120 and of the latter as 236. They were scattered along the river in several bands, all more or less mixed with neighboring stocks. In 1885 Powell estimated the total number at from 500-600, for the most part living on Warm Springs, Yakima, and Grande Ronde reservations in Oregon.

Most of the original Chinookan bands had no special tribal names, being designated simply as "those living at (place name)" This fact, especially after the epidemic of 1829, made it impossible to identify all the tribes and villages mentioned by early writers.

Their language served as the basis for the Chinook Jargon which became the principal means of communication for the Indians from California to the Yukon, as well as trappers, traders and the majority of other individuals living and surviving in the territory.

This nation included the following tribes and divisions: Cathlacomatup, Cathlacumup, Cathlakaheckit, Cathlamet, Cathlanahquiah, Cathlapotle, Cathlathlalas, Chakwayalham, Charcowa, Chilluckittequaw, Chinook, Chippanchick, Clackamas, Clahclellah, Clahnaquah, Claninnatas, Clatacut, Clatsop, Clowwewalla, Cooniac, Cushook, Dalles Indians, Ithkyemamits, Kasenos, Kathlgulak, Katlaminimin, Killaxthokle, Klemiaksac, Knowilamowan, Ktlaeshatlkik, Kwulkwul, Lakstak, Lower Chinook, Multnomah, Namoit, Nayakaukaue, Nechacokee, Necootimeigh, Neerchokioon, Nemalquinner, Nenoothlect, Scaltalpe, Shahala, Shoto, Skillot, Smackshop, Teiakhochoe, Thlakalama, Tlakatlala, Tlakluit, Tlalegak, Tlashgenemaki, Tlegulak, Upper Chinook, Wahe, Wahkiacum, Wakanasisi, Wappatoo, Wasco, Watlala, Willopah, Wiltkwilluk, Yehuh.

The Yakonan nation lived on Coos Bay and near the Yaquina, Coquille and Umpqua rivers until they were decimated by tuberculosis and other white man's diseases. Included in this nation were the Alsea, Hanis, Kuitsh, Miluk, Siuslaw, Yaquina

The Salishan nation were noted for the generosity of their potlatches and included the Tillamooks and Siletz The Tillamook were a large and prominent tribe on Tillamook bay and the rivers flowing into it, in NW Oregon. Their culture of the Tillamook seems to have differed considerably from that of the N. coast Salish, and has evidently been influenced by the culture of the tribes of N. California. Lewis and Clark placed the population of the Tillamook at approximately 2,200 and they occupied 8 villages, including Chishuck, Chucktin, Kilerhurst, Kilherner and Towerquotton. In 1845 their number was given as 400 by the Wilkes Exploring Expedition. By 1849 Lane estimated their population at 200.

The Athapascan nation intermarried heavily with surrounding races. Diseases took a great toll on them. They included the tribes of the Upper Coquille, Tututni, Shasta Costa and Chetco.

THE PLATEAU TRIBES:
The Shahaptian nation, occupies what is now SW Idaho, SE Washington, and NE Oregon. The earlier territory of the Shahaptian tribes extended from the Rocky mountains to the Cascade range, and from the Yakima river basin to the Blue Mountains of Oregon. This territory was overstepped at various times, patricularly by the Klikitat in the W., who crossed the Cascades and occupied the headwaters of the Cowlitz, Lewis and White Salmon rivers, and even pushed temporarily as far S. as the Willamette valley after the epidemic of 1829 decimated the population in that area. Along the Columbia river, Shahaptian villages extended nearly to The Dalles, where they were checked by the Chinook, who had pushed to that point from the coast. To the E. occasional hunting parties crossed the Rockies, but no permanent settlements were formed.

It included the tribes of the Klikitat, Nez Perce, Palouse, Tenino, Tygh, Umatilla, Wallawalla and Yakama [changed from Yakima to Yakama c1995]. A large number of smaller divisions are often spoken of as independent tribes, but which are really subordinate bands of one or another of the tribes named. These include the following: Akaitchis, Atanumlema, Chimnapum, Deschutes, Klinquit, Kowasayee, John Day, Liaywas, Ochechote, Pisko, Pishquitpah, Shyik, Skinpah, Sokulk, Tilkuni, Tushepaw, Wahowpun, and Wiam.

The Paiute or Shoshone were the most nomadic nation in Oregon. They pushed north into Oregon and Idaho from Nevada and dominated the greater part of eastern Oregon. They were hard-working, moral and warlike. They were the principal enemy of not only many of the major tribes but also of the US Calvary. The wars between the Calvary and the Paiutes lasted over twenty years in the Oregon outback and Idaho.

THE WESTERN INTERIOR TRIBES:

The Kalappian nation all located on the Willamette River except the Yoncalla. These tribes were constantly at war with the coastal peoples. In the 1820's the Kalapooians were severly reduced by disease. The losses to disease attracted the attention of the Mollalas and Klicitats, who launched an invasion against the Kalapooians and conquered all of their territory above the Umpqua valley. The Kalapooians rallied and drove the invaders out, but were forced onto reservations in the 1850's. Soon they were nearly extinct. These tribes included the Ahantchuyuk, Atfalati, Calapooya, Chelamela, Chepenafa, Luckiamute, Molalla, Santiam, Yamel, Yoncalla

THE GREAT BASIN TRIBES:

The Takilman nation was located along the Rogue River. The men of these tribes painted their faces and were zealous in acquiring wealth and wives. Tribe membership was small. They were decimated by white man's diseases and war.  The tribes of this nation included the Takelma

The Latagawa Tribe lived in the upper Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon.   
       "Latgawa means: "those living in the uplands". They are located in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. The Latgawa  Indian tribe is the only surviving Aboriginal Indian Tribe having the full rights to the Rogue Valley Indians Treaties of 1853 and 1854.
       In the era of the Rogue Indian Wars, Rogue Valley Indians were killed or captured, while many of the Latgawa escaped  and survived with the help of Tribes such as the Klamath, Blackfoot, Nes Perce, Chief Seattle and the Suquamish tribe, and others. Wandering as far away as Colorado, up into Canada, and returning to our aboriginal lands in Southern Oregon and Northern California. They continue to grow as more native indians return home and others are accepted into the Tribe.
        The Latgawa Native American Indian Tribe, is existing today and existed long before the white man came to the Rogue Valley. The Latgawa Native American Indian Tribe, was never captured or terminated, and has full juristiction of our  people, our lands and in our relationship with the Federal Government as a "Domestic Sovereign" Indian Nation, we are recognized as a nation within a nation through the Rogue Valley Indians Treaties of 1853 and 1854 and other Binding Agreements, Laws, and Executive Orders."

The Lutuamian nation, which included the Lalacas, ruled south-central Oregon and northern California. By tradition, the chief of the Lalacas could demand warriors from lesser tribes. But one chief demanded fish as well. A lesser tribe refused, its own chief saying that they were willing to send their young men but not their fish. A revolt followed, and, despite the odds, the small tribe won its independence, putting an end to the Lalaca empire. After this, the majority of the tribe were called the Klamaths and the newly independent was called the Modocs. Both Klamaths and Modocs simply called themselves Maklaks, meaning "people". The tribes of this nation included the Klamath, Klicitat, and Modoc.

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