Spilyay Tymoo
Coyote News, est. 1976
October 24, 2018 - Vol. 43, No. 22
October – Anwicht’ash – Fall - Tiyam
PO Box 489
Warm Springs, OR 97761
ECR WSS
Postal Patron
U.S. Postage
PRSRT STD
Warm Springs, OR 97761
Welcoming the Treaty Conference
“I would hope every tribal mem-
ber comes to see the Treaty,” says
Natalie Kirk, curator of the Mu-
seum at Warm Springs.
“There is no reason not to,”
Natalie says, “This is our ancestors.”
The six original pages of the
Treaty of 1855 are a central fea-
ture of the Museum at War m
Springs Twenty-Fifth Anniversary
celebration.
The pages—under guard and in
temperature- and light-controlled
casing—will be on display only
through next Saturday, November
3.
The National Archives will then
securely bring them back to their
permanent home in Washington,
D.C.
“You will never be able to see
the Treaty again,” Natalie says, “with-
out traveling to Washington, D.C.
and making a special appointment
with the National Archives.”
The Treaty pages are the feature
of the museum anniversary, and
also serve as the perfect backdrop
for the museum Treaty Conference,
this Thursday through Saturday, Oc-
tober 25-27.
The three-day symposium will
feature historians, legal experts, art-
ists and culture bearers, each ad-
dressing one of many facets of the
Treaty of 1855.
The conference—People of the
River, People of the Salmon: Then,
Now and Tomorrow (Wana Thlama-
Nusuxmí Tanánma: E-Wah’-Cha’-
Nye)—welcomes the presenters:
Walter Echo Hawk Sr., Native
American attorney, tribal judge, au-
thor, activist and law professor. Mr.
Echo Hawk represents Indian tribes
and individuals on treaty rights, wa-
ter rights, religious freedom, prisoner
rights, and repatriation rights.
Howard Arnett, attorney for the
Confederated Tribes, and Indian
Law professor pro tem at the Uni-
versity of Oregon School of Law.
Treaty rights, tribal sovereignty,
tribal law development, government-
to-government relations, and gam-
ing are areas of focus.
Kathleen Shaye Hill of the Kla-
math Tribes, attorney and author.
Former Klamath Tribal Council-
woman, Ms. Shaye Hill worked on
the Klamath’s successful restoration
to federal recognition.
The Honorable Alfred Lane III,
vice chairman of the Confederated
Tribes of Siletz. His work is to re-
store and promote understanding of
Siletz culture—language, basket
weaving, regalia and traditional
foods gathering and preparation.
Rebecca Miles, executive direc-
tor of the Nez Perce Tribe. She is
the Multicultural coordinator of the
Lapwai School District. Ms. Miles
has a Master’s degree is Organiza-
tional Leadership from Gonzaga
University.
Robert J. Miller, Eastern
Shawnee, professor of law at Ari-
zona State University.
Charles Wilkinson, Professor
Emeritus, University of Colorado.
While practicing law, his specialties
‘This is our Ancestors’
Thursday, October 25
9-9:30 a.m.—Presentation
of Colors. Opening Blessing.
Hosted by the Elliott Palmer
Post 4217 Veterans of For-
eign Wars.
10-11—Protocol and wel-
come—Introductions to the
Museum at Warm Springs.
Welcome and recognition of
dignitaries. Hosts: Carol
Leone, Louie Pitt and Valerie
Switzler.
11-11:15—Meyer Memo-
rial Trust with Michelle
DePass, introduction by
Elizabeth Woody.
12-12:15 p.m.—Lunch is
served. Introduction to the
conference concepts, hosted
by Louie Pitt and Val Switzler,
‘E Wah Cha Nye,’ explana-
tion of water, sipping and
prayer.
12:15-1:15: Walter Echo
Hawk on ‘Inherency of Sov-
ereignty and Treaty Making.’
Confederated Tribes historic
photo (above) courtesy of the
Museum at Warm Springs;
and a signing page of the
Treaty of 1855 (right),
courtesy of the National
Archives and museum.
were federal public land law and
Indian law. He worked with the
Native American Rights Fund.
Michelle J. DePass, president and
chief executive officer of the Meyer
Memorial Trust.
Conference lead artists, linguists
and culture bearers include:
Elizabeth Woody, Native Arts and
Cultures Foundation literary fellow,
senior lead artist and writer.
Valerie Switzler, senior lead art-
ist, culture bearer and linguist.
Aurolyn Stwyer, Native Arts and
Afternoon
Cultures Foundation master
artist fellow, senior lead artist
and culture bearer.
See CONFERENCE on page 5
Tribes meet with U.S. on Columbia Treaty
The Treaty of 1855 is one of a
number—among sovereign na-
tions—that are designed to man-
age the Columbia River and its fish-
eries.
The Columbia River Treaty of
1964 is between the United States
and Canada. Unlike the Treaty of
1855, the U.S.-Canada treaty is for
a specific period of time: 60 years,
or until 2024.
The United States and Canada
are interested in renewing the
treaty, and have now begun nego-
tiations toward that end.
During the initial negotiations in
the 1960s, the tribes were not part
of the consultant process.
This time around the countries
are seeking input from the tribes,
both in United States and Canada.
The U.S. lead negotiator for the
Columbia River Treaty is Jill Smail,
member of the State Department.
Ms. Smail visited Warm Springs
this month, meeting with Tribal
Council, and touring the fish facil-
ity at the Round Butte dam.
This was a chance to see first-
hand the work that the tribes and
PGE are doing to restore fish runs
in areas of river that had been
blocked.
The Columbia River Treaty was
Dave McMechan/Spilyay
Tribal Council and the Branch
of Natural Resources join PGE
fisheries (above) for a tour of
the Round Butte fish facility
with the U.S.-Canada Columbia
Treaty team.
The group next met at the
Museum at Warm Springs to
see the Treaty of 1855 and the
Memory of the Land exhibit.
initially negotiated with two pri-
mary goals in mind: Flood con-
trol, and the production and man-
agement of hydro power.
The tribes are broadening this
Conference
Agenda
approach to include fisheries habi-
tat restoration and protection.
Warm Springs is the first tribe
that Ms. Smail and her team have
visited in the treaty negotiating pro-
cess, said Tribal Councilman
Ron Suppah, who had earlier
extended the invitation to Ms.
Smail.
Dave McMechan
1:30-3 p.m.—Panel: Su-
preme Law of the Land and
the Natural Laws of the Cre-
ator. Moderator Walter Echo
Hawk with Rebecca Miles
and Phillip Cash Cash.
See AGENDA on page 5
Budget
district
meetings
The Simnasho District hosted the
2019 tribal budget presentation this
month, and the Agency and
Seekseequa districts are getting
ready for their presentations.
The Agency District meeting on
next year’s tribal budget is set for
Monday evening, October 29 at the
Longhouse. Dinner at 6 and the
meeting at 7.
Seekseequa meets the following
evening at the Seekseequa Fire Hall.
Then in November will be the
General Council meeting, after
which the Council can adopt a final
version of the 2019 budget.
Meanwhile this week and week-
end, Tribal Council members will be
at the Treaty Conference.
Some potential items for con-
sideration on the November
agenda:
Mediation with the Union Pacific.
The Warm Springs National Fish
Hatchery.
The wolves that are living on the
reservation.
The future of the tribal pension
plan.