Coos

Names of Coos groups:Hanis Coos and Miluk Coos Genetic affiliation Region: Southern Oregon coast # of speakers: 1 or 2 speakers all over 50 years old (1962 Chafe) out of a possible 250 population (1977 SIL).

       "COOS or KUSAN A small language family formed by two tribes in a narrow strip of the Oregon coast between the Coos and Coquille Rivers. The northern division were the Hanis   or Coos proper, who lived around the bay and river which bears their name; the southern division were the Miluk   on the Lower Coquille near its estuary. The combined population of the two groups has been estimated at 2,000 in 1780. They obtained subsistence from the sea; gatherered clams, and from the land obtained camas roots and berries; they also had dugout canoes. Some members of both groups were ultimately placed at the Siletz Reservation on the southern 'Yachats' portion of the agency. In 1910, 93 were reported under the name Kus; in 1937, only 55; and 228 'Kusa' in 1945. Today two reorganized groups, descendants of several tribes but including Coos people who lost ancient lands around Coos Bay and on the old Yachats (Alsea) Reservation, Siletz agency, are petitioning the U.S. Government for financial recompense. The total number of people with Coos ancestry is about 300, considerably mixed with other tribal groups and whites. The Coos have been linked linguistically to the Siuslaw and Lower Umpqua and with the other Alseans as the Oregon branch of the Penutian stock." (Johnson, p. 176)