June 11, 1928: Hundreds of Indians at six-day festival

Pete Noyes is the recognized leader of the 3000 Indians of the Colville Reservation. He is shown in the above picture with Mrs. Noyes and their two children at the Indian celebration.

-Seven tribes represented at Inchelium — program of sports arranged

Hundreds of Indians, representing at least seven tribes, are gathering at Inchelium today for a six-day celebration. They began arriving at the Colville Reservation town on the Columbia River in Ferry county, Sunday. Many arrived in automobiles of new makes; some came on horseback, while others used the slow movement of wagon and horses. 

Tribes represented include the Yakamas, Flatheads, Colvilles, Kalispels, Spokanes, Chelans and Coeur d'Alenes.

ESTIMATE 3000

C.H. Watts, president of the Inchelium Commercial Club, and Charles Williamson, secretary, estimate there will be at least 3,000 to 4,000 Indians present during the week.

Stick games and pony races will be features of the daily program. In the evenings tribal dances will be held around huge camp fires. Many of the older Indians are bringing their ancient tribal costumes and will wear them during the evening festivities.

Most of those present will be well supplied with money, as they just received a 15 percent payment on their timber from the Hedlund Lumber Company.

Several business meetings of the Colville Indians are scheduled for the week, at which protests will be made against the action of the Indian department in signing contracts with the Hedlund Lumber company for the sale of reservation timber.

"Hundreds of Colville Indians who did not sign contracts with the Hedlund company for their timber have a just cause for complaint," said Peter Noyes, recognized leader of the Colvilles, at Inchelium yesterday. "Agents of the lumber company and the Indian agency gave every landholder an opportunity to sign when the contract was made with the Indian department. Indians were to get $3.10 per thousand for A-grade pine and down to $1 for scrub.

"Many did not sign because they can sell their lumber and logs to other companies for a larger sum. Now all the Indians, except those with patents, are in a position where they can not cut a log over 14 inches without a permit from the Hedlund company or the Indian agency. This prevents any sales to other concerns, or the manufacture of lumber for buildings. It is working a terrible hardship on many Indians."

TALK WITH DILL

Mr. Noyes and other Indians took up the matter with Senator C.C. Dill, who was at Inchelium Sunday, with a view of having the senator make further protests before the Indian department. 

Speaking before a couple of hundred Indians yesterday, Senator Dill told them of the efforts he was making to have the Indian department give more consideration to tribe. Further efforts in their behalf would be made at the next session of congress, he said.

Mr. Watts, who operates a general store at Inchelium, said that the majority of Indians who signed with the Hedlund company are well satisfied.

"About one-half the Indians on the reservation are fairly well to do," he said. "Many, of course, are sorely in need and have a hard time of it. We give credit to many at our store and have little trouble in collecting from the great majority.

"The Hedlund company has about 30 miles of track laid through their holdings and are within 10 miles of Inchelium, the terminal. While the road will not be a common carrier, it will be possible to move some supplies and material and will be a great boost to this district."