[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY BETWEEN THE CONFEDERATED 
    TRIBES OF THE UMATILLA INDIAN RESERVATION AND THE UNITED STATES 
                               GOVERNMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise 
today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty 
between the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and 
the United States Government. I am proud to represent the people of the 
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Congress and 
am always warmly welcomed when I visit the reservation.
  Mr. Speaker, since time immemorial, the people of the Confederated 
Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have lived on the Columbia 
River Plateau. Specifically, their homeland is the area now known as 
northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. The Umatilla Tribes 
currently have over 2,446 tribal members who continue to care for and 
live on the land of their ancestors.
  On May 28, 2005, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla will gather 
to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the treaty they signed with the 
United States Government. For the members of the Umatilla tribes this 
is an opportunity to remember and honor their ancestors who signed the 
treaties and to educate their youth and the public about these 
important documents.
  I think it is fitting as we near the anniversary of this treaty to 
share with my colleagues a little bit of the history of the treaty 
signing. For nearly three weeks in late May and June of 1855, thousands 
of Native Americans from the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Tribes, along 
with the Nez Perce, Yakama and some bands of the Colville, all convened 
in the Walla Walla Valley, Washington Territory for a historic treaty 
council. During this three-week period the tribes met and negotiated 
with Washington Territory Governor Isaac Stevens and Superintendent for 
Indian Affairs of Oregon Territory Joel Palmer.
  The agreement that came from this three-week negotiation has been the 
guiding document between the Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla people 
with the United States Government for the past 150 years and thus the 
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, Yakama, and Nez Perce Reservations 
were created.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to note that the Confederated 
Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have a long history of strong 
leadership and continue to preserve their traditional cultures and 
languages. Their leaders were among the most influential negotiators at 
the Treaty Council 150 years ago and today the Confederated Tribes of 
Umatilla are regarded as outstanding leaders within Indian Country.
  Their leadership and innovative economic endeavors help lead the way 
in eastern Oregon and in Indian Country. The Confederated Tribes of the 
Umatilla Indian Reservation determine their own futures through 
successfully operating a wide range of their own services and almost 
all of their Federal programs, including health services, housing, 
education, police and fire protection, tribal courts, natural resources 
management and protection, fisheries, administration, and economic 
development and employ over 1000 people in the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent what is today the Confederated 
Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and it is an honor to work 
closely with them to help improve their futures and the futures of all 
eastern Oregonians.

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