Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that the beautiful land known as Bend, Oregon north to the Columbia River is the original homelands of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Confederated Tribes ceded this land in the Treaty of 1855 while retaining regular and customary hunting, fishing, and gathering rights. The Wana Łama (Warm Springs), Wasq’ú (Wasco) and Northern Paiute people inhabited this area in certain seasonal times that clearly established their presence. It is also important to note that the Klamath Trail ran north through this region to the great Celilo Falls trading grounds. This trade route expanded the impact of commerce between Tribal nations. We acknowledge and thank the original stewards of this land. It is our hope that guests continue to honor and care for this land.

We encourage everyone to learn about the Indigenous people whose homelands we occupy by finding your address on this map, and utilizing the additional resources provided below.

The Wasco, Warm Springs, and Northern Paiute tribes lived in Oregon, each with distinct lifestyles and languages. The Wasco were fishermen and traders, while the Warm Springs moved between villages and relied on game, roots, berries, and salmon. The Paiutes, living in southeastern Oregon, migrated frequently for game and had little contact with the other tribes. In the 1800s, settlers disrupted their way of life, leading to treaties that created the Warm Springs Reservation. The tribes faced challenges adapting to reservation life and federal policies. In 1937, they formed the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, establishing self-government.

Learn more about the Wana Łama (Warm Springs), Wasq’ú (Wasco) and Northern Paiute people and their relationship with the land we now call Bend.

Visit The Museum at Warm Springs, located at 2189 Highway 26, Warm Springs, OR 97761. Here you can experience and celebrate the culture of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

The Curatorial department at the Museum boasts one of the most extensive and comprehensive collections of Native American artifacts. Here are some key features:

• A remarkable collection of Plateau Native American objects considered one of the finest in the nation.
• James Nason, Curator of New World Ethnology at the Burke Museum, University of Washington, praises the Permanent Exhibit gallery for having “one of the best unified exhibition plans in any museum in America.” This gallery showcases the culture and history of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
• The Museum actively preserves Warm Springs culture and heritage by teaching and learning traditional and contemporary arts, such as basket making and beading. Throughout the year, it offers a variety of public and educational workshops, live demonstrations, and arts, history, and cultural programs. These events feature Warm Springs Tribal members, Native peoples from other tribes, and both Native and non-Native arts professionals.
• The Museum’s Archives contain 5,000 photographs dating from the 1850s to the present. The library houses significant Warm Springs Tribal documents and numerous books on Native history, art, and culture. Plans are underway for the Museum to acquire the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs’ Culture and Heritage Program’s Archive.

Residents of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation face on-going issues with persistent water shortages and contamination. Some areas lack connection to the existing infrastructure, while others are linked to outdated systems that deliver undrinkable water. When pipes and pumps fail, residents often must buy bottled or tanked water if available, or boil water to make it safe for consumption.

You can help support clean water efforts for Warm Springs through donations to the Chúush Fund for Water for Warm Springs.