Metropolis Membership panel discusses Lane County’s namesake and marketing campaign to rename it for area’s unique Indigenous individuals

The doable renaming of Lane County to “Kalapuya County” was the main focus of Friday’s City Club of Eugene forum.

Critics say the county’s namesake, Joseph Lane, has a checkered and controversial previous that included supporting the Confederacy through the Civil Warfare.

Retired College of Oregon sociology professor Douglas Card says this was all a part of considered one of Lane’s lesser eras, however he got here round in later years.

“He’d turn out to be average, he apologized for his errors, and outdated pals forgave him for his errors,” stated Card.

David Lewis is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. He instructed KLCC that renaming Lane County can be one strategy to honor the area’s unique inhabitants.

“The Kalapuyans are sort of ignored on this space, and I believe we do deserve one thing to acknowledge our long-term tenure, right here.”

Lewis says even when the identify change doesn’t occur, it’s good to have individuals discussing the Kalapuya’s function in regional historical past.

You’ll be able to hear your complete Metropolis Membership discussion board Monday evening at 7pm, on KLCC, and afterward KLCC.org.

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