One of the most significant cultural events in Jefferson County opens this weekend. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will host the annual Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days celebration from Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, in Warm Springs. The public is welcome.
This year’s celebration marks more than 170 years since the signing of the Treaty of 1855, which established the Warm Springs Reservation and guarantees the tribe’s sovereign right to fish, hunt, and gather on their ancestral lands. The event was founded in the late 1960s and has grown into a beloved multi-day gathering of tribal members, families, and visitors from across the region.
Powwow Schedule
The Pi-Ume-Sha Powwow is the centerpiece of the celebration. Grand entry times are:
- Friday, June 26 — Grand Entry at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 27 — Grand Entry at 1 p.m.
- Sunday, June 28 — Grand Entry at 1 p.m.
For powwow information, contact Robinson Mitchell at 541-325-2968.
Stickgame Tournament
One of the highlights this year is the stickgame tournament, organized by Vanessa Knightcrane. Stickgames are a traditional Native game played in two teams, each trying to identify hidden unmarked bones in the hands of the opposing side. Drumming and singing are used as distraction. The goal is to collect all of the unmarked bones before the other team does.
“It’s really family-oriented,” Knightcrane said. “There’s something for everyone.”
Knightcrane said she welcomes people who simply want to observe and learn, and is happy to answer questions. “I guarantee it’s going to be a good time,” she said.
Traditional Dress Parade
The traditional parade is led by horses, honoring the tribe’s deep connection to horse culture, ranching, and rodeo. Parade Committee Chair Ramona Baez has taken over the role from her late parents, Verbena and Perry Greene, who ran the parade since the 1980s.
“It is with humble honor that we can continue this Traditional Dress Parade each year during the Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days,” Baez said.
The parade committee fundraises year-round to make the event happen.
Additional Events
The full three-day schedule includes:
- An energy fair
- A market with artisan vendors
- A powwow with intertribal dancing
- An endurance race
- A rodeo
- The stickgame tournament (open to community members)
Vendors will be present throughout the celebration, offering handmade crafts and goods. Many of the event volunteers are tribal members giving their time because of their love for the celebration and the community it brings together.
Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days is a reminder of the living culture and sovereignty of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs — and an invitation for neighbors across Jefferson County to come and participate respectfully.