One of Central Oregon's most distinctive cultural celebrations returns to the Warm Springs Reservation later this month. Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days, the annual commemoration of the Warm Springs Treaty of 1855, is scheduled for June 26–28, 2026, at the Pi-Ume-Sha Powwow Grounds behind the Warm Springs Community Center.

This year, organizers are shining a special spotlight on horses — animals that hold deep spiritual, cultural, and practical significance for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and across the Columbia Plateau.

What to Expect

Pi-Ume-Sha is one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and is open to the public. The three-day event includes:

  • Powwow — Three days of drumming, singing, and traditional dance competition across multiple categories
  • Traditional parade — This year featuring a special tribute to horses, with equestrian entries from tribal families and communities
  • Rodeo — A beloved fixture of the annual celebration
  • Stick games — Traditional hand games drawing teams and spectators
  • Vendors — Food, arts, crafts, and cultural items

The History Behind the Name

Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days commemorates the signing of the Treaty of 1855, in which the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs — comprising the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Paiute peoples — ceded millions of acres of land to the United States while retaining rights to fish, hunt, gather, and graze horses at traditional sites "in common with the citizens of the territory."

The celebration is a living expression of those treaty rights and the sovereignty the tribes have maintained through more than 170 years of federal policy changes, forced assimilation efforts, and legal battles.

A Community Invitation

Pi-Ume-Sha is a welcoming event for visitors from throughout Central Oregon and beyond. It offers one of the most direct opportunities for non-tribal neighbors to experience traditional Plateau culture, connect with tribal community members, and learn about the Tribes' history and contemporary life.

The Warm Springs Reservation is located approximately 60 miles northwest of Bend and 11 miles from Madras via U.S. Highway 26. Event schedules and additional information are typically posted at warmsprings-nsn.gov and through tribal radio station KWSO 91.9.