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Yes! Non-entitlement
for our forefathers and all other indigenous native people was the prelude
for taking what had been our homelands since the time of creation.
On March 2, 1853,
President Filmore signed a bill creating the Washington Territory which
included today’s State of Washington, northern Idaho, and western
Montana.
Major Isaac Stevens
of the U.S. Corps of Engineers was appointed Governor of the new territory
and he reported to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs on "Indian"
issues within his new domain.
On May 3, 1853,
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs instructed Governor Stevens to find
out what the Indians were like in Washington Territory.
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Unidentified
Indian Couple
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Unidentified
Indian Boy in Babyboard |
Governor Stevens
met with Indian Tribes during his exploration for a railroad route throughout
the territory and from those visits he devised a report, written only
seven months after the territory was established, to the Commissioner,
recommending the establishment of "reservations" for the Indians
occupying Washington Territory.
In his report, Commissioner
Manupenny of Indian Affairs expressed a concern that "contrary
to natural rights and usage," the United States should grant the
lands that would become the reservations to the Indians without purchasing
from them.>
In 1854, Governor
Stevens was directed by the Commissioner to negotiate with the Indians,
"particularly in the vicinity of white settlements, toward extinguishment
of the Indian claims to the lands and the concentration of the tribes
and fragments of tribes on a few reservations naturally suited to the
requirement of the Indians, and located, so far as practicable, so as
not to interfere with the settlement of the country."
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Late in 1854, an
historical five-day "council" took place with nearly every
tribe from present-day eastern Washington State participating so that
each tribal leader or Chief could mark and claim specific reservation
boundaries for the individual tribes.
This council and
dividing up the land was done purposely by the federal government so
that no land would be for sale and no payments would be made to any
Indians.
Governor Stevens
carried out his duties by successfully negotiating: the Point Elliott
Treaty in January, 1855; the Yakama Treaty in June, 1855; and the Hells
Gate Treaty in July, 1855.
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Crossing
the River in a Canoe |
