Dear Editor,
Last week driving into Milton Freewater I noticed the city water tower with the message “Settled 1868.” The message should be changed to “Colonized 1868.”
When I read the Sept. 26 Chronicle, the first article stated “Creswell area began to be settled in 1845,” which is an affront to Native Americans who have been settled here for over 10,000 years.
The arrival of white occupiers should be stated as occupation or colonization. Incorrect use of words perverts history.
Ed Gunderson
Creswell
