Columbia River Treaty Tribes
Salmon Culture
Treaties

Treaties

After more than a week of diplomacy, treaties were reluctantly signed on June 9 and 11. Significantly, tribal leaders negotiated three treaties for three reservations, rather than just the two Stevens had proposed.

The three were the Treaty with the Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla Tribes, the Treaty with the Yakama, and the Treaty with the Nez Perce.

"Chiefs at Dinner." Walla Walla Council, 1855.

The entourage then headed south into Oregon territory, meeting along the Columbia River near the Dalles with the Tenino or Warm Springs (called Walla Wallas in the treaty) and Wasco peoples. They signed the Middle Tribes of Oregon Treaty on June 25.

In less than a month, over 35 million acres of the Columbia River basin had been ceded to the United States in four treaties. Despite this incredible loss, Indian leaders had won key protections for their unique culture. Old Chief Joseph had advised, "Think for year after year, for a far away ahead." The leadership had. In the treaties, they reserved for themselves and future generations some very critical rights.

Although the treaties were signed (and in 1859 Congress ratified them), much distrust remained. More and more whites were coming into Indian country. How would the Indians be protected? What was to prevent the newcomers from driving them away from their customary fishing and hunting grounds?

Expressing his hopes and his doubts during the treaty negotiations, the taciturn Yakama chief Kamiaken told the U.S. delegation: "[P]erhaps you have spoken straight, that your children will do what is right, let them do as they have promised. This is all I have to say."

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Below is some of the the crucial treaty language from the Treaty with the Middle Tribes of Oregon. Because Stevens had crafted a standard form for the Northwest treaties, the three other documents contain virtually the same language:

"The exclusive right of taking fish in the streams running through and bordering said reservation is hereby secured to said Indians; and at all other usual and accustomed stations, in common with citizens of the United States, and of erecting suitable houses for curing the same; also the privilege of hunting, gathering roots and berries, and pasturing their stock on unclaimed lands, in common with citizens, is secured to them."

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