Remembering November 9, 1855: The Coast Reservation Executive Order

On November 9, 1855, President Franklin Pierce signed an executive order that established the Coast Reservation in what is now Oregon. This event marked a significant moment in the history of the Indigenous peoples of the region. The Coast Reservation, later known as the Siletz Reservation, was created as part of the United States government's efforts to forcibly remove Native tribes from their ancestral homelands and relocate them to designated areas.

The Coast Reservation was intended to hold many different tribes, including the Tututni, Siuslaw, Coos, and Alsea, among others. These tribes, each with their own distinct cultures, languages, and traditions, were uprooted and compelled to move to a place far from their original territories. This relocation was not only a loss of land but also an attempt to break the connection that Native peoples had with their sacred landscapes, traditional foods, and cultural practices.

The establishment of the Coast Reservation was a reflection of the U.S. government’s broader policy of assimilation and displacement. For many Native peoples, this reservation was not a refuge, but a place of hardship, loss, and trauma. Families were separated, cultural practices were restricted, and the very fabric of tribal life was challenged.

Despite these immense challenges, the resilience of the tribes remains evident today. The descendants of those who were forced onto the Coast Reservation have persevered, keeping their cultures, languages, and histories alive. The memory of November 9, 1855, is a reminder of the painful past, but it is also a testament to the strength and endurance of the Indigenous peoples of Oregon.

As we reflect on this history, it is important to acknowledge the ongoing impacts of these policies and to honor the enduring connection that Native peoples have to their homelands. The story of the Coast Reservation is a story of resilience, survival, and the unbroken ties between people and place.