IMMERSION: ‘We Will Never Fade:’ Protecting Native History at Tamástslikt

We thought we knew the Oregon Trail…

Turns out, we only knew half the story.

“The settling of the West,” says Bobbie Conner, “was the unsettling of the West for our people.”

In this episode of The Hidden Trails of Oregon, we’re exploring the past, present and future of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes, whose ancestral homelands stretch across Eastern Oregon.

In 1993, the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail, tribal leadership attempted to build a center to tell the story of the trail from a Native American perspective. But they were denied funding.

So on August 12th, 1993, a wagon train celebrating the anniversary was interrupted at the reservation border by Natives on horseback. One rider was Antone Minthorn, chairman of his tribal council. He spoke in protest of the poverty and unemployment affecting his people. But also of his vision of a place for learning and research; for a different perspective on manifest destiny.

It worked. Funding was secured and soon the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute opened its doors.

We’re taking an immersive, sound-rich journey through this world-class museum. You’ll hear horses rumbling across the grassy plateau, storytellers in winter lodges, ringing bells and worshipers in song and prayer.

We’ll sit down with Bobbie Conner, director of the Institute, to talk about the achievements, aspirations and concerns of her community. And we’ll explore the meaning of a phrase you’ll find emblazoned on the walls of the final exhibit:

Cháwna mun na’ámta–We will never fade.

🧭 Planning a visit? Tamástslikt Cultural Institute is just outside Pendleton, Oregon, and trust us, it’s worth the detour. You’ll leave changed. Learn more at TravelOregon.com and Tamastslikt.org

🎧 Next up, we’re sticking around Eastern Oregon to uncover more hidden trails. So hit subscribe and follow us wherever you get your shows.

Special thanks to Bobbie Conner and all the staff at Tamástslikt

Hidden Trails of Oregon is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Jason Paton wrote and produced the episode with Aaron Millar, who also presented the show.

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