The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-09-13

from the white man for the land he
holds and we need your help.
THE white man is benefited and We
are elbowed away although the treaty
said that so long as the sun went
from the east to the west, the land
was to be ours; and the water Is our
very life-blood.
You will please tell us whether
this is an Indian reservation? (Stand-
ing in an expectant attitude for some
time) will you?
There are four stakes at the four
corners, is it not so? They are les
SEEMING and being moved closed to-
gether Please answer now" (By the
secretary 81 know nothing about it
but will enquire into it. But will say
that it is an Indian reservation if
the stakes have been moved, I will
find out" (by Indian resuming)
These four original corners, we az
red men have set our hearts upon,
and the laws should be the same for
the white and the red race. That law
gives us the right to live on this
earth (Great applause.)
Mr.. Umtouch said: 81 need no in
trOuuCtlOn as am well Known.
Uaughter) You see I am old. This
new law seemed like some one coming
with a deadly weapon in his hands
to cut our holdings in two-I hope
it is not true, but that we shall be
protected.
when your father and my father
got together and made this treaty.
we believed you would keep it as We
have done. A representative of your
service, said that I was only red
man and could not get damage for
destruction to my fence and land by
bitches, etc. The drainage canal has
taken my water an crops, and my
heart feels very sore, but l believe
you will hear my complaint"
Mr.. Showaway, said: There are
two subjects upon which I wish to
speak. | have at heart the sentiments
Of both old and young. I do not
wish my people to become as the
white people on account Of their ig-
norance for one reason, We know Of
the Teton project--that it cost them
more than $50 per acre, but we have
a perpetual water right, so I say for
one that we do not need the Tieton
nearer home; the Teton costs too
much. to bring it in a flume across
the Yakima river, and we do not
want such.
Understand English
BY Secretary Fisher: you all
will understand what I say, or can
tell those who do not? GA chorus Of
"yss-yes''
at want to learn the situation and
help you. the white men you complain
of have come in through your selling
to them and dealing with them. and
the case is becoming complicated.
I'VE have got to do something to
furnish water for your land. in some
way. The reclamation service cannot
build canals without your consent
$3.50, 900 has been spent in caring for
the seepage and some are damaged
while many are benefited. We shall
give the matter careful consideration.
Your water rights by treaty can only
be solved by an investigation of same.
and I will look into it.
"In Senator Jones' bill the Indian
can sell from one up to sixty acres.
but no more. The government has
built reservoirs in the mountains big
enough to irrigate your lands and the
white mans land.
"The board has recommended that
we take up the Wapato project as
=, soon as funds can be obtained, and I
want to know if it is your wish that
this water problem be solved and paid
for out of tribal lands timber, etc"
This was answered by many "Yes-
Yes-Yes'D
81 will go back to Washington and
see what can be done for you, and I
am very glad TO make your acquaint-
ance-good night to ALL
At the conclusion of the address all
the Indians came forward and shook
hands with the secretary.