WHITE SWAN, Wash. – The Yakama Nation marked the 170th anniversary of the Treaty of 1855 this weekend with a series of events across the reservation. The celebrations included a kids rodeo in White Swan, which drew participants and visitors from multiple states.
The Yakama Indian Rodeo Association hosted the annual kids rodeo, seeing nearly 100 children engage in activities such as mutton busting, calf riding, junior barrel racing, and junior colt racing. Caseymac Wallahee, president of the association, emphasized the inclusivity of the event.
“We invite people from other reservations. We have people that came here for the rodeo yesterday from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana,” Wallahee said. “You know, they’re from all over the place. California…they come here to celebrate.”
Wallahee shared that while not all kids leave the arena with smiles, the experience is memorable.
“Some of them are big, all smiles when their sheep come out. Some of them are screaming all the way across the arena. So, I mean, it’s always fun,” he stated.
The Yakama Nation signed the treaty with the United States 170 years ago, establishing it as a sovereign nation. Wallahee highlighted the importance of the celebrations in remembering the tribe’s history.
“It’s just to celebrate is just to remind ourselves, right to let the people know let our tribal members know that the importance of the treaty the importance of what it says and you know what it holds for our people,” Wallahee explained.
The weekend’s events were a chance for community members and visitors alike to reflect on the significance of the treaty and the enduring legacy of the Yakama Nation. June 9th will mark the 170th anniversary for the Treaty of 1855.
