Warm Springs tribes

Warm Springs tribes. The confederation of Native American tribes residing on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in north-central Oregon, primarily comprising the Wasco, Tenino, and Northern Paiute peoples. Established by the Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon in 1855, the reservation is governed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and is centered around the community of Warm Springs, Oregon. The tribes are known for their rich cultural heritage, which includes traditional practices such as salmon fishing, root digging, and the annual Root Feast and Pendleton Round-Up.

History

The ancestral homelands of the Wasco and Tenino (or Warm Springs) bands encompassed vast territories along the Columbia River and the Deschutes River, where they were skilled fishermen and traders. The Northern Paiute people, who joined the reservation later, traditionally inhabited the high desert regions to the south. Key events in their history include the signing of the Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon at the Treaty of Wasco council grounds, which ceded over ten million acres but secured the reservation. The tribes faced significant upheaval during the Cayuse War and the subsequent influx of settlers along the Oregon Trail. In the 20th century, they were impacted by federal policies like the Dawes Act and the Indian Reorganization Act, and they successfully regained fishing rights through legal activism, including cases related to the Boldt Decision.

Culture

Traditional culture is deeply connected to the Columbia River and the seasonal round of resources. Central practices include salmon fishing at historic sites like Celilo Falls, gathering camas and wapato roots, and hunting deer and elk. The tribes are renowned for their distinctive plateau basketry and cedar root hats. Major cultural events include the annual Root Feast, the Pendleton Round-Up, and participation in powwow circuits like the Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days. Spiritual beliefs and the Washat (Seven Drums) religion are integral, with the longhouse serving as a central community and ceremonial space. The Museum at Warm Springs preserves and exhibits this cultural heritage.

Government

The tribes are governed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, a sovereign nation with a constitution adopted under the Indian Reorganization Act. The governing body is an eleven-member Tribal Council elected by the people, which includes a tribal chairman and representatives from the Wasco, Warm Springs, and Northern Paiute bands. Key governmental enterprises and departments include Warm Springs Power Enterprises, the Tribal Police Department, and the Natural Resources Department. The tribal government engages in legal and political advocacy, often working with organizations like the National Congress of American Indians and through the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Economy

The tribal economy is a mix of tribal enterprises, private business, and federal support. Major tribal operations include the Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort and Casino, Indian Head Casino, and Warm Springs Forest Products Industries. The tribes also manage significant natural resources, including hydroelectric power through Pelton Dam and Round Butte Dam on the Deschutes River, and timber resources. Other economic activities include agriculture, guided fly fishing tours, and the sale of traditional arts like beadwork and basketry. Economic development challenges include geographic isolation and fluctuations in the gaming industry.

Notable people

Notable individuals from the Warm Springs tribes include political leader and former tribal chairman Delvis Heath; educator and language preservationist Virginia Beavert; and artist and regalia maker Lillian Pitt. Other significant figures are former council secretary Alvin Smith; advocate and community organizer Dallas Winishut; and athlete and traditional games champion Josey Simtustus. Contemporary leaders often engage with state and federal entities, including the Oregon Legislative Assembly and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Category:Native American tribes in Oregon Category:Federally recognized tribes in the United States