"The Walla Walla, Umatilla, and Cayuse ("Tribes") have always exercised our sovereignty. We have governed and protected ourselves as well as regulated our commerce.
"The Tribes entered into the Treaty of 1855 with the United States of America ("United States") but not as a conquered people. Both parties negotiated the Treaty and recognized the sovereign authority of all parties to the Treaty.
"The Tribes ceded certain aspects of their aboriginal title to more than 6.4 million acres of land to the United States. Yet, we reserved an area as our homeland under full sovereign authority and retained extensive off-Reservation rights. The United States assumed certain trust responsibilities to protect the Reservation and all off-Reservation rights from outside forces. Both sovereigns agreed to honor the letter and intent of all obligations in the Treaty of 1855.
The Tribes declare our national and inherent sovereign authority. We have the absolute right to govern, determine our destiny, provide for tribal members, and manage our property, land, water, resources, rights, and activities throughout our homeland from all interference. We declare that the Treaty of 1855 only alters our sovereignty to the extent expressly stated in the Treaty and that all inherent sovereign rights and authority remain with the Tribes. ..." --Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; read more on cite
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