Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Name	Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Type	Federally recognized tribe
Formed	1938
Headquarters	Warm Springs, Oregon
Area	Oregon
Population	~5,600 enrolled members
Language	Kiksht, Numu, Sahaptin
Website	warmsprings-nsn.gov

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is a Federally recognized tribe located in central Oregon, formed through the confederation of three distinct Native American tribes. The confederation was formalized with the adoption of a constitution and corporate charter following the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. The tribes' sovereign reservation, the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, encompasses over 640,000 acres of diverse landscape.

History

The confederation's origins lie in the 1855 Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon, negotiated at the Walla Walla Council and signed by representatives including Chief Tenino. This treaty ceded vast territories to the United States while establishing the reservation for the Wasco-Wishram, Northern Paiute (Warm Springs), and Sahaptin-speaking Tenino and Tygh bands. The post-treaty era involved difficult transitions, including the forced relocation of the Paiute people to the reservation after the Bannock War of 1878. Key 20th-century developments included the construction of The Dalles Dam in 1957, which flooded critical Celilo Falls fishing sites, and the pivotal leadership of figures like Delvis Heath, Sr., the first tribal chairman.

Government

The tribe operates under a constitutional government with an eleven-member Tribal Council elected by the membership. This governing body exercises the tribe's inherent sovereign powers, overseeing all branches of tribal operations. The government manages a range of services through entities like the Warm Springs Police Department and the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center. It also engages in government-to-government relations with agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the State of Oregon.

Culture and language

The cultural fabric is woven from the distinct traditions of the Wasco-Wishram (Chinookan), Warm Springs (Sahaptin), and Northern Paiute (Numu) peoples. Each group maintains its own language, with Kiksht, Numu, and Sahaptin all being actively preserved through tribal programs. Annual events like the Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days celebration and the Root Feast honor historical and spiritual connections. Traditional practices such as salmon fishing, basket weaving, and beadwork remain vital expressions of cultural identity.

Economy

The tribal economy is diversified, with major enterprises including the Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort and Casino and the Indian Head Casino in Warm Springs, Oregon. The Warm Springs Forest Products Industries manages extensive timber resources, while Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises oversees hydroelectric projects on the Deschutes River. The tribe also operates the Warm Springs Ranch and engages in agriculture. Revenue from these ventures funds essential community services, infrastructure, and per capita distributions to members.

Geography and land

The expansive Warm Springs Indian Reservation is situated east of the Cascade Range in Jefferson, Wasco, and Clackamas counties. The land is defined by the arid high desert of the Columbia Plateau, bisected by the Deschutes River and bordered by the Mount Hood wilderness. This geography encompasses critical habitats for huckleberry harvesting and big game hunting, alongside significant forest and riverine resources managed for both cultural and economic purposes.

Notable people

Prominent individuals from the tribes include the celebrated artist and activist Lillian Pitt, known for her contemporary artwork drawing on Wasco-Wishram heritage. Delvis Heath, Sr. served as a foundational political leader and longtime tribal chairman. Athlete and coach Sonny Sixkiller, though primarily associated with the Cherokee Nation, has familial ties to the community. Modern leadership is exemplified by figures like former tribal council member and educator Larry Wasson.

Category:Federally recognized tribes in Oregon Category:Native American tribes in Oregon Category:Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs