May 10, 1935: Tribesmen at Inchelium to ask new deal

BOYDS, May 10 - A great convention of Indians of the Inland Empire will be held at Inchelium June 14, 15, 16 and 17.

Matters of high importance to the surviving Indians of the empire will be discussed. Such topics as fishing rights, hospitalization, timber holdings, self-government and others will be discussed. 

The convention will be held under the auspices of the Colville Indian Association, with its headquarters in Inchelium. It will be one of the first serious events held by the Indians in their program planning to secure rights that they believe they should have had.

CONDITIONS BAD FOR INDIANS

At present the conditions at the reservation are not right, according to Pete Lemery, a member of the association board of directors.

"The Indian people want a new deal, too," says Lemery. "Conditions at the reservation are bad. Laws are disregarded, the policing force is small and poorly paid. White men have been trespassing the tribal hunting and fishing grounds. The Indian asks only a white man's chance for a square deal."

Lemery has written Indian commissioner John Collier at Washington, D.C. on the matter.

GIRLS WILL RIDE STEERS

The convention at Inchelium will be merry as well as serious. Races, Indian stick games, waloukes, etc. are planned. There will be baseball games, bareback riding, saddle contests, roping, dancing, etc. Girls riding wild steers will be an extra feature.

Members of the board of directors of the Colville Indian Association are Pete Lemery, Joseph Adolph and Florence Quill. John Raftis is attorney. Officers are James Bernard, president; Pete Noyes, vice president; Barney Rickard, executive secretary; Charles Seymour, treasurer; Mitchell LaFleur, chairman; Alex Covington, Vice Chairman; and Vic Dupuis, sergeant at arms.