In 2005, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation joined with citizens in Walla Walla, Washington (Walla Walla Treaty Commemoration Committee and Walla Walla Historic Memorials Committee), the Nez Perce Tribe and the Yakama Nation to commemorate the Treaties of 1855 made between the federal government and the tribes and bands which now make up the CTUIR, Nez Perce Tribe, Yakama Nation, and some bands of the Colville Tribe. Several events will be held in late May and early June in Walla Walla, Washington where the Treaty Council was held 150 years ago.
Index of Information on this site:
History of the Treaty and significance of this anniversary commemoration
Goals of the Treaty Commemoration (why are we doing this?)
A commemoration to honor our ancestors (not a celebration)
The Events
News Releases and Media Advisories
Logistics for Tribal participants for the May 28
Honoring Procession and Dinner (Camping, horse boarding, staging)Related stories and websites
In May and June of 1855 - 150 years ago -- the United States government convened a treaty council in what is now known as Walla Walla, Washington. Thousands of people from the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Nez Perce, and Yakama Tribes gathered to meet with Washington Territory Governor Isaac Stevens and Superintendent for Indian Affairs of the Oregon Territory Joel Palmer. After nearly three weeks of negotiation an agreement was reached and Treaties were signed.
The 1855 Treaties resulted in the United States attaining ownership of Tribal land -- the Tribes gave up 31 million acres in what would become southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. The Treaties were critical in opening up land for settlement by non-Indian emigrants.
Three reservations were created -- Umatilla, Nez Perce and Yakama - which serve as the permanent homeland for members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Nez Perce Tribe and the Yakama Nation.
Tribal ancestors reserved rights for themselves and their future generations - rights which would help preserve some elements of their lifestyle and culture. These rights were already present for the Tribal people residing here before the Treaties, they are not rights that were given to the Tribal people. Tribal members from the CTUIR, Nez Perce and Yakama Nations today exercise and protect their Treaty rights of fishing, hunting and gathering foods and medicines throughout their original 31 million acre homelands.
It is important to recognize that Tribal Treaty Rights can
benefit not only Tribal members, but all citizens of this region.
An example - the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
used our Treaty Rights to successfully restore
salmon to the Umatilla River where they had been absent for 70
years. These efforts now mean that both Tribal and non-Indian
people have the opportunity to fish for salmon in the Umatilla,
and it means that farmers in west Umatilla County have the water
they need for their crops.
According to Bobbie Conner, director of the CTUIR's Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, the event organizers had four major goals for the Treaty Sesquicentennial events:
1) Honoring the ancestors who negotiated the Treaties;
2) Teaching tribal youth the historical and cultural significance of the Treaties;
3) Educating the public about how Tribes are rebuilding their nations following post-Treaty oppression; and
4) Using the opportunity to strengthen relationships and plan for the future of the Tribes.
"While the Treaties are not necessarily a cause for celebration, this historic anniversary is certainly an appropriate opportunity to remember and honor the ancestors who signed the Treaties and to educate our youth and the public about these important documents" said Antone Minthorn, Board of Trustees Chair for the CTUIR.
"We worked with the Veterans Administration, local groups and citizens in Walla Walla to gain their assistance in making these events happen," said Conner. "We reminded them that the major Treaty commemoration activities should be organized by and for the people of the Tribes. We hope that many, many Tribal people will participate," she said.
Other events commemorating the Treaty anniversary were held
throughout the region, including the annual Treaty Days events
at the Yakama Reservation and various events at Tamastslikt Cultural
Institute on the Umatilla Reservation.
May 25, 2005 - MEDIA ADVISORY -- Tribes to commemorate
Treaty's 150th Anniversary with unique event on May 28May 18, 2005 - Tamastslikt Cultural Institute and Tribe to hold Treaty Commemoration events
Events Summary:
May 20 at 2 p.m. - 1855 Treaty
Exhibit grand opening
at Tamastslikt Cultural
Institute, Umatilla Reservation.
May 26 - Treaty Commemoration at the Yakama Reservation
May 27 at 10 a.m. - Grand opening
of the Living Culture Village
at Tamastslikt Cultural
Institute, Umatilla Reservation.
May 27 at 1 p.m. - Unveiling
Ceremony for Original Treaty Pages
at Tamastslikt Cultural
Institute, Umatilla Reservation.
May 28 at 10 a.m. - Honoring
Procession and Friendship Feast
Jonathan M. Wainwright Veterans
Administration Grounds in Walla Walla, Washington.
May 29 at 9 a.m. - Multi-Tribal Washat Service. Wainwright Veterans Grounds in Walla Walla.
June 10 at 11 a.m. - Unveiling Ceremony for Peopeomoxmox statue - Corner of 3rd and Rose Streets, Downtown Walla Walla.
June 10-11, Treaty Commemoration Pow-wow, Veterans Administration Grounds. The event is being organized by CTUIR Tribal members under the leadership of Peopeomoxmox (Chief Carl Sampson). Vendor spaces and camping will be available. Grand entry will be at 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about the pow-wow, including vendor space and camping, call 541-966-8568, 541-278-4183 or 541-276-1390.
May 28 at 10 a.m. - Honoring
Procession and Friendship Feast
Jonathan M. Wainwright Veterans
Administration Grounds in Walla Walla, Washington.
The Procession: Color guards will lead in this ceremonial procession, which will include members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Nez Perce Tribe and the Yakama Nation who will honor their Treaty Signers by parading on horseback, on foot and on truck/trailer (provided).
Those who wish to take part on a trailer or on foot should stage at the football field along the south side of Wainwright Drive (enter the VA Grounds from the east entrance and the grass field is on the left, across the street from where the horseback riders will stage). See map for details.
The ancestors who signed the Treaties will be recognized and honored. As the group parades around the VA Grounds, a crier or announcer from each Tribe will talk about their Treaty signers and tribe. The Honoring Procession will also include honor songs and a Washat blessing.
The meal: Following the Procession, a Friendship Feast will be held at the VA Grounds. The Tribes will provide meat, fish and fry bread for the the dinner; the public is asked to bring salads, side-dishes and desserts. The public is invited to observe this historic event that include talks by Tribal leaders, local officials and state and federal dignitaries.
Horse boarding for May 28 Honoring Procession: 50 horse stalls and hay are available, free of charge and on a first-come first-served basis, for Tribal members at the south end of the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds is about 1/4 mile from the VA Grounds so participants may mount up and ride to the VA Grounds (no escort) or transport their horses to the VA Grounds on Saturday morning (May 28) for the Honoring Procession. Horse trailers and riders will stage at the gravel lot on the north side of Wainwright Drive at the VA Grounds (see map). Water will be available for horses at both the camping area outside the fence and at the staging area prior to the Honoring Procession. See map for details.
Camping and Lodging: Horse trailers, camping (RV, tent, teepee - bring your own poles & tent) is available at no charge at the VA Grounds (see map). Tribal members may camp at the VA Grounds from May 27 through June 12 (day after the Treaty Commemoration Pow-wow ends). See map for details.
Fairway RV Park in Walla Walla will give Tribal Members a 10% discount from the $28 rate, for $25.20 per night. Phone 866-855-8282. Located at 50 West George St, near the Golf Course.
Super 8 in Walla Walla will have a limited number of rooms available at a reduced rate for Tribal members. Just state you are a Tribal member to get the discount.
Security: Security and traffic control will be provided on May 28 by the Veterans Administration in cooperation with Walla Walla City Police, Walla Walla County, Umatilla Tribal Police and Nez Perce Tribe.
Parking: A limited amount of elders and dignitary parking is available on the VA Grounds. Golf cart shuttles will be provided on site for elders to get them from parking areas to the staging area, dinner location, etc. Some Honoring Procession participant parking is available immediately adjacent to the VA Grounds (north side at Blue Ridge School).
Spectators at the May 28 Honoring Procession will need to park in the designated area at Grand Cinemas on Poplar Street and ride the shuttle over to the VA Grounds. Shuttles will be running throughout the day.
People at the Umatilla Reservation who need a ride to Walla Walla for the day's events may contact the Tribal Planning Office at 276-3099 to reserve a space on the Mission Metro bus, which will provide transportation to Walla Walla. Mission Metro will also be providing shuttle service from the spectator parking area to the VA Grounds.
Click here for a PDF file of a site map of the VA Grounds and vicinity.
Treaty of 1855 with the Walla Walla, Cayuse and Umatilla
Trailtribes.org - Making Treaties
Seattle Times: Symposium underscores strength of Indian treaties (April 17, 2005)
The Treaty Trail - Where In Time Is Isaac Stevens?
Walla Walla, Washington - site of the 1855 Treaty Council
© CTUIR
