Washington State Mistakenly Claims 90,000 Acres of Yakama Nation Land
In 1855, Yakama Chief Kamiakin faced a daunting decision: sign over the land of 14 tribal nations and bands in the Pacific Northwest or witness the bloodshed of his people. The ink on the United States maps had barely dried when the chief, in a move of desperation, signed away over 10 million acres of land, reducing the Yakama Nation to a reservation one-tenth the size of their ancestral lands, situated about 100 miles southeast of Seattle.
Lost in the shadows of history, the treaty map that outlined the reservation’s boundaries was misfiled for nearly 75 years, leading to erroneous land claims by federal agents. Subsequent maps further carved out Yakama land, resulting in a complex legal entanglement that persists to this day.
## A Family’s Fight for Justice
Phil Rigdon, a Yakama citizen and forester, has dedicated nearly two decades to reclaiming the reservation’s land. For Rigdon and the Yakama community, this battle is more than a legal dispute; it is a family legacy rooted in their connection to the land. Amidst the towering presence of Mount Adams, the Yakama reservation stands as a testament to resilience and perseverance.
## State Trust Lands and Legal Hurdles
Washington State’s ownership of 92,000 acres of state trust lands within the reservation’s boundaries poses a significant challenge to the Yakama Nation’s efforts. Governed by the Enabling Act of 1889, these lands are considered perpetual resources, generating revenue for state institutions through activities like grazing and timber harvesting.
## The Path to Reclamation
The Yakama Nation’s journey towards land reclamation has been marked by legal complexities and bureaucratic obstacles. Despite legal victories affirming the reservation’s boundaries, the state’s insistence on compensation for the trust lands complicates the process. Negotiations with the federal government and state legislature are underway, offering a glimmer of hope for the Yakama’s quest for justice.
## A Shared Vision for the Future
As the Yakama Nation continues its fight for land reclamation, the symbolic groundbreaking at the Klickitat Hatchery serves as a beacon of hope. Amidst the mingling aromas of fresh salmon and shared stories, a sense of unity and resilience pervades the gathering, transcending boundaries of ownership and jurisdiction. In the spirit of collaboration and justice, the Yakama’s struggle for land reclamation echoes across generations, inspiring a shared vision for a more equitable future.