The Coos people are indigenous to the Northwest Plateau and have historically inhabited the southwest Oregon Pacific Coast.
The traditional homeland of the Coos covered more than one and a half million acres, and extended from the forested slopes of the Coastal Range in the East to the Pacific Ocean in the West. They lived in villages made of cedar plank homes along the estuaries of the Coos, Siuslaw, and Umpqua rivers, and in the Coos Bay and North Bend areas.
At the time that they were encountered by Europeans, they had between forty and fifty villages. They hunted, fished, and gathered edible plants. They also engaged in several types of entertainment, including foot races, canoe races, target practice, dice games, and shinny, which was a form of field hockey.
Like their neighbors, the Siuslaw, social status among the Coos was based on wealth that was measured in dentalium shells, woodpecker scalps, abalone shells, grey pine seeds, and clam shells, which were used as currency. The chief was the wealthiest man in the village. He was responsible for using his wealth to benefit the people of the village, who, in turn, brought gifts and food to the chief.
The first documented encounter between the Coos and Europeans was by William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition on February 8, 1806.
In order to demonstrate greater strength in negotiations with the United States government, the Coos joined with the Siuslaw and the Umpqua to form a confederation, which is today represented in the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.
Other Coos people are enrolled with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon and with the Coquille Indian Tribe.
In 1972, Hanis and Miluk Coos, along with members of the Kuitsh and Siuslaw tribes, incorporated as the Coos Tribe of Indians. In late 1978, they petitioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs for acknowledgment by the federal government. As there is no federally recognized tribe by that name, we will assume that they were included in the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, or one of the other two recognized tribes that includes Coos people.
Topics related to the Coos people, tribes that include Coos people, or other organizations, recognized or unrecognized, are appropriate topics for this part of our web guide along with businesses, industries, schools, medical facilities, organizations, events, or other entities operated by a tribe or individual member of the Coos people.
Recommended Resources
Blue Earth Services & Technology
Located in Coos Bay, Oregon, Blue Earth Services & Technology was established in 2012, and is wholly owned by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. A subsidiary of Blue Earth Federal Corporation, the company uses State of Oregon Limited Energy B licensed technicians. It offers telephone systems and equipment, data wiring distribution, design and installation, fiber optics distribution, design and installation, and advanced surveillance technology.
https://goblueearth.com/
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians
Headquartered in Coos Bay, Oregon, the Confederated Tribes are a federally recognized American Indian tribe of Hanis Coos, Miluk Coos, Lower Umpqua (Kuitsh), and Siuslaw people of Oregon. Its service area includes lands in Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, and Lincoln counties. The history of the tribes and the confederation is told, including culture, language, governmental structure, member services, businesses, and facilities. Announcements and public notices are included.
https://ctclusi.org/
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Located in Lincoln County, Oregon, the Siletz Reservation includes several tribes, including the Alsea, Chinook, Coos, Kalapuya, Klickitat, Molalla, Shasta, Takelma, Tillamook, Lower Umpqua, Upper Umpqua, and others. The tribal government is highlighted, including its council, court system, enrollment policies, tribal ordinances, tribal elections, cultural information, and an overview of its services, programs, events, employment opportunities, and contacts.
https://ctsi.nsn.us/
Created in 2016 by Jacque Ahrendt, this site features an organization known as the Coos Indian Tribe, which incorporated as the Coos Tribe of Indians in 1972, and petitioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs for federal recognition in 1978. An introduction to the Coos people, particularly the Hanis and Miluk bands, is set forth, including traditional languages, historical treaties and other legal agreements, Coos art, youth education, and contemporary struggles of the Coos people.
https://jacqueahrendt.wordpress.com/
Based in North Bend, in Coos County, Oregon, the Coquille Indian Tribe primarily includes descendants of the Coquille people, although it also enrolls descendants of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, all of whom traditionally inhabited the Oregon Coast. The tribe's history and profile are set forth, along with its sovereignty, tribal council, tribal court, constitution, ordinances, heritage, and community. Tribal projects and contacts are included.
https://www.coquilletribe.org/
The casino has two locations on the Oregon coast. Its Florence Casino Resort is situated on a 100-acre site just outside the city of Florence, and its casino features more than 560 slots, several table games, and a poker room, as well as sports gambling, a 93-room hotel, and RV parking. Its Coos Bay location features more than 250 games, daily promotions, and a full-service restaurant and bar. Promotional offers, career opportunities, and contacts are posted.
https://www.threeriverscasino.com/
The health center serves the people of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. Directly supporting CTCLUSI tribal members, the Center provides multidimensional healthcare for all of Southwest Oregon. A new patient enrollment form, a mail-order pharmacy enrollment form, and career information are provided. Owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes, the Center is located on South Wall Street in Coos Bay, Oregon. News and announcements are published on the site.
https://threerivers.health/
