Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation

06/18/2026

Tule Road Fire Update

06/18/2026

Want to try something new next week? Check out these upcoming events hosted by our Wak'ishwi Program & Yakama Nation Nutrition Program! Please contact them directly with any questions.

06/17/2026

See attached information for the Yakama Nation Workforce Development Summer Employment Program for 2026. The deadline for both summer youth and college internship applications are due by 5 p.m. June 22nd - applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Native Workforce Development office located within the Higher Education building.

Please contact the NWD office directly with any questions.

06/15/2026

"We are excited to share that the 2026 Yakama Nation Willamette Falls Lamprey Celebration is fast approaching.

The event will take place on Thursday, June 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Clackamette Park in Oregon City, OR.

We gather to honor Asum (Pacific Lamprey), one of our sacred first foods. The celebration is held near Willamette Falls—derived from our traditional Sahaptin name, Wilumpt—to honor our ancestors who have harvested at these falls since time immemorial. We also recognize the past leaders who fought to retain our harvest rights and the tribal members who continue this traditional practice today.

The celebration will include cultural dance performances, speakers from our tribal leaders and guests, boat tours to Willamette Falls, and a complimentary salmon and lamprey meal.

Please scan the QR code on our flyer to RSVP for a meal ticket or visit: https://yakama-lamprey-celebration-2026.eventbrite.com "

06/12/2026

Friendly reminder that our 2026 Yakama Nation Willamette Falls Lamprey Celebration will be taking place on Thursday, June 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Clackamette Park in Oregon City, OR.

*Please scan the QR code on our flyer to RSVP for a meal ticket or visit https://yakama-lamprey-celebration-2026.eventbrite.com

The celebration will include cultural dance performances; speakers from our tribal leaders and guests; a boat tour to Willamette Falls as well as a complimentary salmon & lamprey meal!

06/12/2026

Members of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council traveled to Olympia on Thursday to attend the Washington State Supreme Court hearing to oppose the Horse Heaven Wind Farm Project; which would become the largest wind farm in Washington if approved.

On recommendation of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), Governor Jay Inslee approved the Horse Heaven Wind Farm Project, a renewable energy generation facility including wind and solar energy generation with battery energy storage systems and supporting facilities.

The Yakama Nation, Benton County, and Tri Cities C.A.R.E.S. (a Washington non-profit corporation) filed lawsuits to revoke the site permit and assert that the Governor's decision to approve this project relied on improper procedures and considerations.

Oral arguments were presented to the Washington State Supreme Court Justices from both sides; including Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council or EFSEC (an administrative agency of the State of Washington), State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (an administrative agency of the State of Washington), and Jay Inslee (Governor of the State of Washington).

The Yakama Nation maintains that this project would do irreversible damage to cultural and natural resources. The Ferruginous Hawk is designated as an endangered species in Washington state. They primarily breed in the proposed area Horse Heaven Wind Farm, and the Tribe wants to ensure that they remain protected.

Story and photos by Lisa Burns, Yakama Nation Tribal Engagement & Communications Specialist

06/11/2026

Shortly at 10 a.m., the Washington State Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the Yakama Nation's appeal of the Horse Heaven Hills Wind and Solar Project. Yakama Nation's appeal has been consolidated with appeals by Benton County and Tri-Cities C.A.R.E.S.

You can watch the livestream of these oral arguments on TVW at https://tvw.org. From here, click on the "Live" tab at the top left of the home screen.

This website is dedicated to TVW's longtime friend, Ronald N. Main.

06/10/2026

Today, we recognized and honored the 171st anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of 1855 between the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (“Yakama Nation”) and the United States of America.

On June 9th, 1855, tribal leaders from 14 Tribes and Bands across the Pacific Northwest region signed the Treaty of 1855 with the United States - officially forming the Yakama Nation. The signatories included leaders from the Tribes and Bands of the Yakama, Palouse, Pisquouse, Wenatshapam, Klikatat, Klinquit, Kow-was-say-ee, Li-ay-was, Skin-pah, Wish-ham, Shyiks, Oche-chotes, Kah-milt-pah, and Se-ap-cat.

When signing the Treaty, the Yakama Nation ceded 11.5 million acres of land to the United States, defined the boundaries of the 1.2 million acre Yakama Indian Reservation, and reserved the rights the Yakama people are entitled to today within the Yakama Reservation boundaries and its Treaty Territories, or ceded lands. The language within the Treaty was crafted with future generations in mind - ensuring there are both independent and collaborative efforts for traditional resource restoration and protections, fair trade and travel, and more rights that are utilized in day-to-day life.

Today we recognize the circumstances in which our ancestors signed the treaty under and the consideration they presented to ensure the rights and safety for future generations to be at the forefront.

This governing document, ratified by Congress, serves as a beacon for the work the Yakama Nation leadership, government, and membership conduct. Our tribal government advocates for our own community and the United States leadership to continue honoring our obligations for those yet unborn and will continue to work in recognition for generations past, present, and future. We take pride in continuing the legacy of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.

Thank you for taking the time to recognize, honor, and learn about the Treaty of 1855. Many resources are available within the Yakama Nation government, programs, enterprises, and community to learn more and understand the significance this document holds.
To read and learn more about the Treaty of 1855, you can visit our website at www.yakama.com. Additionally, educational materials are available on www.yakamastrong.com.

(Pictured: Chairman Gerald Lewis, Yakama Nation Treaty Days Parade 2024)

06/03/2026

We are just a week away from the 171st Commemoration of Yakama Nation's Treaty Day! There is a lot to recognize and honor throughout our community from leaders and families in the past and present.

Share some of your favorite memories from past Treaty Days Celebrations below! 👇👇👇

06/03/2026

On this day 102 years ago, the Indian Citizenship Act became law - beginning the federal recognition of Native Americans as citizens of the United States of America.

Though Native Americans were then federally recognized as citizens, many had not received equal or fair treatment for decades. Following 1924, restrictions were created by individual states to limit and outright deny Native Americans' rights to voting through reasons of living on reservations, tribal enrollment status, and so forth. This discriminatory concern was then meant to be settled by the Voting Rights Act in 1965, however limitations still exist today across tribal communities.

Accessibility concerns continue to remain a point of discussion when tribal members on reservations attempt to vote in the United States. Removing the option of mail-in ballots, limited numbers of voting offices in rural areas, and other present-day factors impact tribal nations and their communities' ability to vote today.

Though the ICA was a great step towards the deserved recognition and treatment of tribal nations and their communities by the United States, there is still more work to do - and we are hopeful to work with governmental and community partners in order to do so.