The Yakama Indian Reservation in southern Washington state was established in 1855 for the Yakama Nation and 13 other related tribes. The treaty granted fishing rights, but white settlers tried to restrict access. The Boldt decision of 1974 fully restored Yakama fishing rights and made the tribe co-manager of Washington state fisheries. The reservation values modern education and heritage, with scholarship funds and Yakama dialect lessons available.
The Yakima Reservation was established in 1855 for members of the Yakama Nation and other Native Americans in the area. The facility is located in southern Washington state on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. It covers approximately 1.3 million of the original 12.3 million acres they claimed as their original territory. In 1994, the Yakama Nation officially changed the spelling of its name from “Yakima” to “Yakama” to be true to its actual pronunciation, but many place names in the area still use the former spelling. Therefore, the proper name of the reservation is Yakama Indian Reservation.
The treaty that created the reservation allowed the Yakama to spend two years on the reservation. In violation of the treaty, however, Washington Governor Isaac Stevens opened Yakama lands to settlement less than two weeks after the treaty was signed. This led to the Yakima War, which lasted until 1858.
A Yakama chief, Kamiakin, convinced many Yakama and members of other tribes involved in the treaty to rebel. After three years of warfare, the tribes were defeated and finally settled on the Yakima Reservation. Kamiakin fled to Canada, but many other tribal leaders were executed.
The Yakima Reservation was not intended only for the Yakama. Thirteen other related tribes were included in the treaty and the transition to the reservation. Together, these tribes have ceded approximately 11.5 million acres to the US government. However, not all tribes have entered the reservation. The Paloos tribe, also spelled Palouse or Palus, and others refused to recognize the treaty others had signed for them.
The treaty establishing the Yakima Reservation also granted the tribes fishing rights over much of their native territory. Fishing was an important source of food for these Native Americans, especially the salmon found on the west side of the Cascades. White settlers in the area soon began trying to restrict Yakama access to fishing areas, so that by the time a 1974 court decision was issued, the Yakama had been severely restricted.
The historic Boldt decision of 1974 fully restored all Yakama fishing rights. This decision also made the Yakama Tribe co-manager of Washington state fisheries. The Columbia and eight other rivers are now co-managed by the tribe.
People on the Yakima Reservation value modern education. Scholarship funds are available to outstanding students. They also value their heritage. Lessons in the Yakama dialect are available in their public schools and adult education courses. The Tribal Heritage Center supports Yakama traditional crafts, history and literature.
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