Tribal economic system: the native americans
of Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian
Reservation (Oregon - USA)
Salient features of Tribal Economy
• ‘Total’ (tribal) vs. ‘Complex’ (modern): the allpervasive magico-religious phenomenon
• ‘Face-to-face’ community: traditional norms, social
control
• Tribal ownership: in-alienablity of the natural
resources
• Tribal exchange: role and status, reciprocity, barter,
gift and ceremonial exchanges
• Tribal authority: traditional legitimacy, gerontocracy
• Transition to modernity
HABITAT: a quick view
HABITAT: selected information
 172 acres between North-East Oregon, South-East
Washington and West Idaho
 Climate: continental cold-temperate
 Two river basins: Columbia River and Snake River
 Landscape: hilly and mountainous
 Rich vegetation (flora and fauna diversity)
 Moderate infrastructure
COMMUNITY: a quick view
COMMUNITY: selected information
 Population: 2,927
 Male: 48,3%
(2000)
Female: 51,7%
 Median age: 35,2
 Population growth rate
(1990 – 2000):
17%
 Number of householders: 1,013
Age composition
(on total population, 2000)
0 – 21 years: 42%
22 – 64 years: 52%
65 and older: 6%
BUSINESS: a quick view
Fishery
Tourism
Gambling
Commercial activities, light industries
BUSINESS: selected information
 In labor force population
 Unemployed population
(2000):
(2000):
64.8%
4,7%
 Less than $10.000 income households
(1999):
 Median household income: $37,827
 Poverty status families
(1999):
 Poverty status individuals
12%
(1999):
15.8%
12,1%
INSTITUTIONS: selected information
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is a union
of three tribes: Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla.
Decision on: health and human services, natural resources,
economic and community development, tribal services,
education, fire protection and police.
 Regional Government: Umatilla County
 Some actors in the region:
Fish and Wildlife Commission (land-use policy and
management)
Old Celilo Fish Committee (inter-tribal association for
fish resources management)
Columbia River Inter Tribal Fish Commission (
ETHOS: a quick view
Drums session
Traditional clothing
Indian tipical tent
ETHOS: selected information
 Historical inhabitants of the Columbia River system
 Many events held at the Tribal Longhouse are ceremonies
that often involve elements of traditional religion. Examples
include Root Feast, funerals, weddings, and namings.
 Cultural traits
music: many religious songs honoring births, deaths and the
changing of the seasons
gastronomy: salmon, kowsh (couse root), berries
craft: utensils, clothing and tools mainly made from wood,
stone and bone
Marginal economy: the nomadic herders of the extreme
lands (Olziit soum, Arkhangai aimag, Mongolia)
HABITAT: a quick view
HABITAT: selected information
Total area surface: 172000 hectares
Mountains: Bayanbaishir, Norjinchamba, Bayanhairhan, Dulaanhairhan, Tahilt
Rivers: the biggest river of the soum is the Orkhon river; there are some other
smaller river, in particular the Bodont and the Kharkhiraa river;
Wild animals: deer, wild boar, antelopes, siberian ibex, wild sheep, marmot, sable,
wolf, polar fox, fox and squirrel; wild cat; dorgo; fish
Forest: the main forest are situated in the north and northwest of the soum area
and they are made of mainly birches and larches.
Mineral: the soum doesn’t have any mining sites, but the ground has trace of
plumbum; stones and sand are utilized as building materials.
COMMUNITY: a quick view
COMMUNITY: selected information
Population, 2009
Natural movement of population, 2009
Major health related problems
The main human diseases and mortality are related to:
heart and blood circulation system (high blood pressure);
kidneys and liver;
digestive system;
apoplexy and nervous system disease.
BUSINESS: a quick view
Farming
Commerce and services
Handicraft and wool
BUSINESS: selected information
 In labor force population
(2009):
49,4%
 Employed population in primary sector
(200):
 Employed population in secondary sector
 Employed population in tertiary sector
Employed by age group, 2009
82,1%
(200):
(200):
0,1%
17,1%
INSTITUTIONS: selected information
Mongolia is divided in:
- Province (Aimags) plus capital city (Ulaanbaatar) with
provincial status
- Districts (Sums)
- Clusters of households (Bags)
ETHOS: a quick view
Herder
Ancient stone
Monastic temple
ETHOS: selected information
Historically, the people (uuld) in Ulziit soum are originated from
the Western Mongolia. Offically, the Ulziit Soum, Arkhangai
aimag, established in 1931, with 512 households in 7 bags.
Main cultural resources
Ancient traditions reminiscence of the Bronze Age (i.e. Deer
stone)
4 monuments of Turkish empires.
Two old Buddhist temples, built in 1843.
Ethnicity: 99% of Oold, 1% of of Khalh
Religious tradition: Buddhist