[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND THE 
 TREATIES OF 1855 BETWEEN THESE TRIBES AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing a resolution to 
honor the 150th anniversary of the 1855 treaties signed between the 
Native American Tribes of the Pacific Northwest and the United States 
of America.
  This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of the treaty with the 
Tribes of Middle Oregon, one of the many important treaties signed in 
1855. The treaty emerged as a solution to tensions growing between the 
thousands of settlers flooding through the Columbia River region in the 
mid-19th century and the tribes that had inhabited the area for 
countless generations. By 1852, more than 12,000 white immigrants were 
journeying through the territory each year. Although most continued 
westward, the portion of settlers who chose to remain in the region 
eventually claimed Indian lands as their own. To settle the dispute, 
the Department of lndian Affairs for the Oregon Territory began work on 
the 1855 treaty.
  The Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon ceded 10 million acres of 
Indian land to the United States government, including what have since 
become Wasco, Sherman, Hood River, Gilliam, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, 
Deshutes, Clackamas, Grant, Marion, and Morrow counties. The Tribes of 
Middle Oregon Treaties, were signed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm 
Springs, Confederated Tribes of Umatilla, Deschutes, Walla Walla, 
Tenino, and Wasco.
  These treaties helped guide and shape the management of land, water, 
wildlife, and fisheries of the Pacific Northwest now and into the 
future. These treaties were understood by their signers to ensure the 
unique quality of life of the native people in Middle Oregon. 
Unfortunately, the United States' history of honoring its commitments 
to Native Americans leaves much to be desired.
  In honor of the anniversary of these treaties, we should reaffirm and 
support the promises made 150 years ago between the Pacific Northwest 
tribes and the United States of America. Together we have a rich legacy 
and a bright future to protect, and I urge my colleagues in joining me 
in supporting this resolution.

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