Takelma Roasting Co., Whole Bean, Anniversary Medium Roast,Bold and Intense Flavor, 100% Arabica Beans, Perfect for Espresso and Drip Coffee Makers, 2 lbs.

The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians is one of nine federally recognized Native American Tribes in the State of Oregon. But the Tribal people of Oregon are historically just as diverse as the languages they spoke. Cow Creek people lived in the forests and rugged mountains Umpqua and Rogue River Valleys of Southern Oregon. They spoke Takelma, their ancestral language. The arrival of fur trappers, miners, gold rushers, and missionaries in the 19h century almost completely eradicated the Takelma language. At that time, the U.S Government removed Cow Creek people from the Umpqua and Rogue River Valleys. Very few Cow Creeks were able to hide away in the mountains. Others were forced to assimilate, blending into pioneer culture and speaking English. Cow Creek people stopped speaking Takelma as their first language. Without fluent speakers, many of the words were lost. The last fluent speaker of Takelma walked on almost 100 years ago. But within the Tribe’s families, words and phrases were passed down, waking the language that had been sleeping. Today, the efforts to speak Takelma and preserve the language are strong. By using documentation and limited recordings of Takelma, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians is once again learning and teaching others to speak it. The Takelma language is being reclaimed, with more Tribal citizens speaking every day. Here is a simple blessing spoken in Takelma. This prayer is a blessing for the land, and the people, including those listening now. Haaphk’emnà’sThkáa yap’á taayúsaa’si taphoyòth. Altíi taphoyòth. Tuuwuù’kh