Oral history interview with Flora Cushinway Thompson

Collection

Identifier: SR 9586

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Flora Cushinway Thompson was conducted around 1971. The interviewer is unidentified. The audio recording and transcript are incomplete; the interview was recorded on three cassettes, but the first tape is missing.

In this interview, Thompson discusses the execution of Modoc leader Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack. She then talks about salmon fishing by Native peoples at Celilo Falls, and about the slow encroachment of dams and commercial fishing at the falls. She speaks about her marriage to Wyam Chief Tommy Thompson and talks about their respective marital histories. She discusses the Wyams’ resistance to the construction of The Dalles Dam; describes attending the dedication of the Celilo converter station; and talks about Tommy Thompson’s funeral. She speaks at length about some of the Wyams' spiritual beliefs, particularly regarding visions and songs, and sings a Christian song in Sahaptin. She closes the interview by talking about her work advocating for the Wyams' fishing rights. The recording ends with piano music identified as “Indian Love Poem” by Nancy Walker.

Dates

circa 1971

Creator

Thompson, Flora Cushinway, 1893-1978 (Interviewee, Person)

Language of Materials

Song performed during interview is in Sahaptin.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for this interview is held by the estate of Flora Cushinway Thompson. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Biographical note

Flora Cushinway Thompson, also named La moosh Cush-nee-yi, was born in 1898. In the 1940s, she and Tommy Thompson, leader of the Wyams, were married. She was active in the attempt to prevent the construction of The Dalles Dam. She died in 1978.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (2 audiocassettes (2 hr., 1 min., 1 sec.) + transcript (47 pages))

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history with Flora Cushinway Thompson conducted around 1971. Thompson discusses the Wyam people's way of life at Celilo Falls, and the Wyams' resistance to the construction of The Dalles Dam.

Existence and Location of Copies

Audio and transcript available online in OHS Digital Collections.

Publication note

An article based on this interview, "Oregon Voices: Flora Cushinway Thompson," was published in Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol. 108, No. 4, pages 680-685.