Yakama Nation

United States

Indigenous Peoples of the United States

Indigenous Peoples of Washington

Yakama Nation

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Yakima man Inashah.jpg

Introduction

To get started in Indigenous Peoples of the United States Research

Various Spellings: Yakama, Yakima The spelling was changed from Yakima to Yakama in 1994 to reflect the native pronunciation.

The Yakama (Yakima) Tribe is located in central Washington along the Columbia River. In 1994, the Yakama Nation adopted the spelling of its name as "Yakama," which they feel is the more correct historical spelling of their name.

Tribal Headquarters

The Yakama Nation
401 Fort Road / PO Box 151
Toppenish, WA 98948
Phone: 509-865-5121
Website

Museum

Yakama Nation Museum
Phone:1-509-865-5121

Library

Yakama Nation Library
Phone: 509- 865-5121 ex 4723

History

Brief Timeline

• 1805: First contact with Europeans -- the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
• 1835: Oregon Trail
• 1840's: Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, sent by U.S. government to explore the Pacific Coast.
• 1946: The 49th Parallel divided the Oregon Territory between the United States and Canada
• 1855:Treaty with the U.S. government
• 1855-56: Yakama War
• 1855: Reservation established

Additional References to the History of the Tribe

Frederick Webb Hodge, in his Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico, gave a more complete history of the Yakima tribe, with estimations of the population of the tribe at various time periods. Additional details are given in John Swanton's The Indian Tribes of North America.

For additional history of the tribe, read more....

Reservations

A tract of land set aside for occupation and use by Native Americans.

Superintendencies

The Washington and Oregon Superintendencies had jurisdiction over the tribe.

Records

The majority of records of individuals were those created by the agencies. Some records may be available to tribal members through the tribal headquarters.They were (and are) the local office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and were charged with maintaining records of the activities of those under their responsibility. Among these records are:

• Allotment records
• Annuity rolls
• Census records
• Correspondence
• Health records
• Reports
• School census and records
• Vital records

Census

Before the 1870 census Yakima tribe members may be found in Walla Walla County, WA dispersed among the general population.

In 1870 census search Yakima County.

1880 Search (M1791, 5 rolls.) Schedules of a Special Census of Indians, 1880. The Yakima Agency is divided into five districts, which appear on roll 3. FS Library Film:

1885-1940 Search (M595) Indian Census Rolls. (692 rolls) Yakima Indians are located on rolls 672-679. FS Library Film: 583130-583138

(Source of above: NARA# 1004)

Land Records

Yakima Tribe Land Allotment Act of 1887. Records 1887-1913 FS Library film: 1028506

Treaties

• 1855 June 9, at Camp Stevens

Vital Records

Births and Deaths 1925-1931 FS Library film 583136

Yakima Agency

The agency representing the Yakama Indians for the Bureau of Indian Affairs is the Yakima Agency. It is located at Toppenish, Washington. For additional history of this agency and an indication of the location of its records, click here.

Yakama Nation -- BIA Agency
401 Fort Rd
Toppenish, WA 98948 1-509-865-2255‎

Important Websites

• Yakama Tribe Wikipedia