Takelma Roasting Co. Xem Raven French Roast Coffee

The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians represents one of Oregon's nine federally recognized Native American Tribes. Historically, Oregon's Tribal communities have been as diverse as the languages they once spoke. The Cow Creek people inhabited the dense forests and rugged mountains of the Umpqua and Rogue River Valleys in Southern Oregon, where they spoke Takelma, their ancestral language. However, the 19th century saw the arrival of fur trappers, miners, gold rushers, and missionaries, leading to a near-total eradication of the Takelma language. During this period, the U.S. Government forcibly relocated the Cow Creek people from their traditional lands, resulting in the loss of their language as a primary means of communication. Some managed to evade relocation by retreating into the mountains, while others assimilated into pioneer culture, adopting English and abandoning Takelma.

As a consequence of the dwindling number of fluent speakers, much of the Takelma vocabulary was lost over time, with the last fluent speaker passing away nearly a century ago. Despite this, fragments of the language survived within Tribal families, preserving elements of Takelma's rich linguistic heritage. Today, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians is actively revitalizing Takelma through dedicated efforts in documentation and the use of limited recordings. These initiatives are aimed at relearning the language internally and teaching it to others within the community. Consequently, more Tribal members are speaking Takelma daily, marking a revival of the language once thought lost.

In a significant cultural initiative, the Tribe's ownership and operation of the Takelma Roasting Company proudly integrate their traditional language into each batch of coffee produced. Situated in Southern Oregon's Umpqua Valley, the company specializes in crafting high-quality, specialty-grade coffee. Their offerings, such as the deep, rich, dark chocolatey French roast made from Colombian and Brazilian Arabica beans, reflect a blend of tradition and craftsmanship. Each roast features a Takelma word, paying homage to the Tribe's history and cultural legacy.

Through endeavors like the Takelma Roasting Company, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians not only seeks to revive their language but also to share their cultural heritage with a broader audience. This commitment underscores their ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate Takelma, ensuring that future generations can connect with and appreciate this integral aspect of their identity.

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