Chinook Chief Comcomly

The Life and Legacy of Chief Tchinouk Comcomly (1765-1830)

Memorial and symbolic recreation of the Chinookian Chief , Tchinouk Comcomly’s burial canoe. This historic monument overlooks Young’s Bay and mouth the Columbia River along Oregon’s northwest coast. Chief Comcomly was one of the principle Chinookian chiefs during the early period of European settlement of the lower Columbia River, and was known and respected by members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Hudson Bay Company, the Northwest Fir Company, and the Pacific Fur Company.

Chinook Chief Comcomly (1765-1830) emerged as one of the most prominent leaders of the confederated Chinook tribes of the lower Columbia River. The Chinook’s strategic location at the mouth of the Columbia River made them pivotal players in the regional trade networks long before European contact. They traded extensively with other indigenous tribes, exchanging goods such as fish, shells, pelts and slaves. Comcomly’s rise to power can be attributed to his exceptional abilities in diplomacy and trade, which he adeptly used to strengthen his tribe’s economic and political status.  Comcomly’s leadership coincided with significant European exploration and settlement in the Pacific Northwest. He adeptly navigated the complexities of these encounters, establishing relationships with various European powers. His first major contact with Europeans came with the arrival of American and British traders in the early 19th century. Comcomly quickly recognized the potential benefits of these interactions and positioned himself and his people as indispensable allies and trading partners.  One of the most notable instances of Comcomly’s diplomatic acumen was his relationship with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805-1806. The expedition, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, was tasked with exploring the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and establishing American presence in the West. Comcomly welcomed the expedition, providing crucial assistance and information. This alliance not only facilitated the success of the expedition but also established Comcomly as a key figure in the burgeoning relationships between Native Americans and Americans.  Comcomly’s influence was further solidified during the establishment of Fort Astoria by the Pacific Fur Company in 1811. John Jacob Astor, an American businessman, envisioned the fort as a central hub for his fur trading empire. Comcomly saw an opportunity and formed a strong alliance with the fort’s inhabitants. He supplied the fort with Chinookian translators and essential goods, such as fish and other provisions, and in return, gained access to valuable trade goods like metal tools and weapons.  When the War of 1812 broke out, the British North West Company captured Fort Astoria and renamed it Fort George. Throughout this period, Comcomly maintained his diplomatic balancing act, continuing to trade with both American and British traders. His ability to navigate the shifting political landscape ensured that the Chinook people remained central to the regional trade networks.

Comcomly died in 1830 after an “intermittent fever” epidemic, also called the “cold sick”, which is widely presumed to have been malaria. The region experienced significant outbreaks of epidemic malaria during the early 1830’s, and particularly along the Columbia River, where Comcomly and his people lived.  It is estimated that 150,000 indigenous people of the Willamette Valley and lower Columbia River died between 1829 and 1833.  After Chief Comcomly’s death, his remains were initially interred in a canoe at the family burial ground, following the Chinook custom. However, in 1835, his skull was stolen by Dr. Meredith Gairdner, a physician for the Hudson’s Bay Company, who sent it to Scotland for “scientific” study. Comcomly’s skull was later displayed at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar Museum in England, where it was damaged as result of aerial bombardment during WWII.  Over time the Chinook community sought the repatriation of their chief’s remains. In 1953, the skull was returned to the United States and displayed at the Clatsop County Historical Society in Astoria, Oregon. It was then transferred to the Smithsonian Institution in 1956. After persistent efforts by the Chinook community, the remains were finally repatriated in 1972 and reburied appropriately in an Ilwaco, Washington cemetery, honoring their chief’s legacy and cultural traditions.  Comcomly’s story is reflective of the broader experience of many Native American leaders who faced the challenges of European encroachment. His life illustrates the complex dynamics of cooperation, conflict, and adaptation that characterized the contact period in North American history. Despite the eventual decline of the Chinook people due to disease, displacement, and other pressures from European settlers, Comcomly’s legacy as a shrewd and effective leader remains a significant part of Pacific Northwest history.