Dear
Senators Murray and Cantwell,
I am writing in support of the Wenatchi Indian Tribe of North Central Washington
State. The Wenatchis lived for hundreds of years before the
arrival of white settlers, in what is now the Wenatchee Valley
- hunting, fishing and gathering around the Wenatchee River
and Icicle Creek. I understand that the reservation, promised
them by our government in both an 1855 Treaty and an 1894
Agreement ratified by the US Congress, has never been provided
to them. Instead, the Wenatchis were forced off their land
with the arrival of white settlers, and sent to live on the
Colville Indian Reservation far from their ancestral home.
This has caused great suffering to these people who loyally
abided by their treaty agreements, even in the face of our
government's deception.
Today there are over 1,500 descendents of the original Wenatchi
people; still waiting for our government to keep its promises
to them. They are not seeking to displace private landowners
as they themselves were displaced. Instead, they are asking
our government for reservation territory from unclaimed lands
currently within the government's domain, in and around their
original reservation area of Icicle Creek and the Wenatchee
River Basin. The Wenatchis wish to have their rights recognized
by the United States for themselves and for coming generations.
After 150 years of forced displacement, it is in our power
to do this - and it is the least we can do.
I understand that the Confederated Tribes of the Colville
Indian Reservation, on behalf of the Wenatchi people, have
submitted draft legislation finally granting the Wenatchi's
their long promised reservation and rights. I would ask that
you support this legislation and submit it to Congress, in
an effort to correct this historical injustice. The Wenatchi
people have waited long enough. We have made them a promise
and we should keep it. Now is the time.
Thank you for your consideration and support of this important
issue.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
