What became of the Wenatchi Indian Tribe?

Growing up in Bremerton, I regularly rode the ferry to Seattle. One of the boats I remember riding was the “MV Wenatchee.” 

I can recall this particular ferry having old vintage pictures on display of Wenatchee’s ag workers. Lots of pictures described what life was like on old-time Wenatchee city streets. I can remember the array of wonderful apple box art. The ferry also had pictures of the Wenatchi Indians who called our Wenatchee Valley home. These historic pictures were my first exposure to Wenatchee.

Get our free mobile app

Zoom forward to today.

I sometimes wonder what happened to the Wenatchi Indians. I found a few resources on the subject. 

The results I found are very sobering.

The Wenatchi people's tribal name originates from Yakama-Sahaptin. A critical area for the Wenatchi was the Wenatchapam Fishery, a significant cultural site in Wenatchee National Forest near Leavenworth.

The fishery was designated a reservation site in the Yakama Treaty of 1855.

Despite this, newly arrived settlers/pioneers contested the Wenatchi claim to the land, and a railway company was approved to build through the reserved land. 1893, a survey was conducted, but a federal agent aligned with the settlers and railway company intervened and falsely claimed the Wenatchi had sold their land rights. The permanent relocation of the Wenatchi happened in the 1910s decade. Following the expulsion of his people, Chief John Harmelt unsuccessfully lobbied for federal protection of Wenatchi fishing rights.

Where are the Wenatchi descendants today?

Today, many Wenatchi descendants live on the Colville Reservation; others live on the Yakima Indian Reservation. Some live among us in modern-day cities across the state.

To learn more about the history of the Wenatchi people, read Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation - A Brief History.

SOURCES:

U.S. vs. Tribes of Colville Indians,

Storymaps: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation