Cow Creek Band of Umpqua
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua were originally located along the South Umpqua River in southwestern Oregon. Their livelihood depended on hunting, gathering, and fishing. Deer and elk abounded, as well as salmon and other types of fish.
The Umpqua had seasonal dwellings. Winter homes were located in the valleys and consisted of sunken circular houses covered with cedar planks or bark. Summer houses were similar, but covered with mats or skins. During the summer months the Umpqua moved to the mountains.
About the Flag:
The eagle represents the strength of the Umpqua people. The fish in the eagle's claw symbolizes the tribe's dependence on fish for food. The mountains represent the ancestral home of the Umpqua during the summer months, and the food gathered from the mountains. The flowering branches are huckleberry bushes which were a staple for the Umpqua. In 1853 a treaty was signed establishing Government-to-Government relations between the US Government and the Umpqua. In 1982 the tribe was re-recognized as a sovereign nation according to the 1853 treaty that had been voided in 1956.
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