Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Enrolled members: 2,916 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Oregon) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Sahaptin | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional Religion (Washat), Christianity (incl. syncretistic forms) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Yakama, Tenino (Warm Springs), Nez Percé |
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are a group of three Native American tribes. These tribes are the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples. They traditionally lived in the Columbia River Plateau area. These tribes are "federally recognized," meaning the United States government officially acknowledges them as sovereign nations.
In 1855, leaders from the Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla tribes signed a special agreement called the Treaty of Walla Walla with the United States. Through this treaty, they gave up a huge amount of their traditional lands. This land is now parts of northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. In return, they received a reservation of about 250,000 acres. They were also promised goods and supplies each year.
The three tribes now share the Reservation. It covers about 271 square miles in Umatilla County, Oregon. The tribes have created a shared government to work together. Their main offices are near Pendleton, Oregon. About half of the reservation land is owned by people who are not Native American. The reservation also includes important parts of the Umatilla River area. In 2013, about 2,916 people were officially members of the confederated tribes. Roughly half of them lived on or near the reservation.
The reservation is also home to about 300 Native Americans from other tribes. These include the Yakama, Tenino (Warm Springs), and Nez Percé tribes. About 1,500 people who are not Native American also live within the reservation's borders.
Contents
History of the Tribes
After giving up their lands, the Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Cayuse tribes moved to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla American Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The federal government gave them supplies and tried to encourage them to farm. However, the supplies often arrived late or were not enough for everyone.
Land Ownership Changes
In 1887, a law called the Allotment Act changed how land was owned. Instead of the land belonging to the whole community, it was divided among individual families. This law, and others, made it possible for tribal members to sell their land. Unfortunately, some people took advantage of this, and the tribes lost a lot of land. Over time, the tribes worked hard to regain control of their land. They have bought back more than 14,000 acres that were once lost.
Seeking Fair Compensation
In the 1900s, the tribes also went to court to get fair payment for their land. They argued that they had controlled much more land than they were paid for after the 1855 treaty. The Indian Claims Commission agreed and awarded the tribes several million dollars. The tribes used some of this money to start new businesses and improve their economy. They also shared some of the money with tribal members.
Justice and Tribal Laws
Tribal courts usually could not try people who were not Native American for crimes. This changed for some serious crimes through a new law.
Protecting Tribal Members
In 2013, the Congress passed a law called the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA 2013). This law gave tribal courts the power to handle cases where a non-Native American person harms a Native American woman on tribal land. This was important because many Native American women were being harmed by non-Native men. These men often felt they could not be punished by tribal courts.
This new law generally started in 2015. However, a special "Pilot Project" allowed some tribes to start earlier. On February 6, 2014, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation were chosen for this project. The Bureau of Justice and tribal leaders are working together to improve how justice is carried out on tribal lands. They are finding better ways to give fair sentences and offer options like community service.
Economy and Growth
The tribes have worked for almost 30 years to bring fish back to the Umatilla and Grande Ronde rivers. They are buying back land along the Umatilla River to protect fish habitats.
Bringing Salmon Back
In the early 1980s, the tribes led efforts to reintroduce salmon into the Umatilla River. The tribes, along with the state of Oregon, run facilities that help salmon lay eggs and grow. In 1984, the first fall Chinook salmon in about 70 years returned to the Umatilla River. The CTUIR also helps manage fishing in other river basins.
Wildhorse Resort & Casino
The Confederated Tribes opened the Wildhorse Resort & Casino in 1995. It is located near Pendleton and now includes a hotel, seven restaurants, and a golf course. The money earned from the casino has greatly increased the tribe's budget. This extra money helps fund health care, education, housing, and new businesses for the tribe. Unemployment on the reservation has been cut in half. Hundreds of people work at the resort. The tribe also owns Cayuse Technologies, which opened in 2006. This company provides services like software development and call center support.
The CTUIR also publishes a monthly newspaper called Confederated Umatilla Journal. They also operate a radio station, KCUW. The CTUIR is one of the few tribal governments in the northwestern United States to offer free bus service on its reservation.
Culture and Traditions
Many tribal members practice a traditional religion called Seven Drums (Washat). This religion believes in spirits and energies that control things like health and weather. Spiritually powerful men and women, called "Shamans," are important in this religion. People can strengthen their spirit by fasting and spending time alone in nature.
Tamástslikt Cultural Institute
The confederated tribes created the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute in Pendleton, Oregon. It is a museum that shares the stories of the Natítyat (Indian people). It has exhibits of traditional clothing and tools. It also shows art and crafts made by people today.
Sports and Community
Basketball is a very popular sport on the reservation. Kids start playing at a young age, and many families have basketball hoops at their homes. In 2013, sisters Shoni and Jude Schimmel, who are CTUIR members, played in a major college basketball tournament called the NCAA Final Four.
Ancient Burial Customs
In the past, when someone close passed away, their body would be dressed in their best clothes. Their face would be painted beautifully. A few days later, they would be buried with their belongings. People who were mourning would wear simple clothes and cut their hair.
Protecting Ancient Remains
In 1996, very old human remains were found near Kennewick, Washington. This person is known as Kennewick Man or the "Ancient One" by Native Americans. The CTUIR, along with other tribes, wanted these remains to be reburied. They believed this was required by their traditional laws and a federal law called the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Scientists wanted to study the remains, which were estimated to be 9,000 years old. After many court cases, the tribes continue to work to strengthen NAGPRA.
The Confederated Tribes also work closely with the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. They help find and protect important cultural sites on these lands. The tribes still have treaty rights to hunt and fish in these areas.
Bringing Languages Back
The tribes are working hard to teach and save their native languages. These languages are endangered, meaning very few people still speak them. Only about five people speak Walla Walla language and about 50 speak Umatilla language. Both are part of the Sahaptin family. The Cayuse language died out by the late 1800s. However, a dialect of the Nez Perce language called Weyíiletpuu is used by the Cayuse people on the reservation.
Language Programs
Today, six language teachers run programs at the Nixyaawii Community School. For the last ten years, this school has offered classes in Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Nez Perce languages. The tribe is also developing a program called Cay-Uma-Wa for young children. This program will include teaching native languages. The tribe has also created online videos and an immersion school called Tamaluut for 3- to 5-year-olds. In 2013, a young CTUIR woman sang "The Star Spangled Banner" in Umatilla at the Pendleton Round-up, which was a first for that event.
Notable CTUIR Citizens
- Elaine Miles, actor
- Kelsey Motanic, the first Umatilla medical doctor
- Charles Sams, director of the National Park Service
- Shoni and Jude Schimmel, basketball players
Direct Descendants
- Dan Henderson, a mixed martial artist, whose grandmother is a CTUIR citizen.
