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The Morning Oregonian, Portland, OR., July 21, 1926, page 1

RED CHIEF JOINS IN PIONEER HONOR
Tribute Paid Whites at Wishram, Wash.
AGED BRAVE DRAMATIC
Native Leader, in Full Regalia, Virtually Blind
PARTY MEMBERS SPEAK
Oration Eulogizes Whites While Telling of Obligations to Posterity
By. H.M. Sims

     Chief Mennenick of the Yakimas is not in “Who’s Who,” but yesterday at Wishram, Wash., he occupied the rostrum with a dozen palefaces who are.
     The occasion was the dedication of a rugged monument to the members of the doughty pathfinders and pioneers who portaged their canoes around Celilo falls and the nine miles of rapids below the falls, on their long trek westward.
     The palefaces -- -- members of the Columbia river historical expedition -- -- gave interesting talks on the early history of this region. Then Ralph Budd, president of the Great Northern Railway, who was presiding, introduced the venerable chief of the Yakimas.

Chief Nearly Blind

The aged chief, now virtually blind, was assisted to his feet and led to the front of the platform. Resplendent in his regalia of old, deep, rigid lines creasing his weather-worn countenance, Chief Mennenick began in his Indian tongue, and an interpreter translated his message for the palefaces.
Such a message, with voice full of emotion, and gestures yet vigorous despite the toll of time! Here was the oration of the day, intensely dramatic, delivered by an Indian who has lived to see two entirely different epochs in the Columbia River Valley.

Ovation Sweeps Crowd

     Here was an oration that swept the gathering of its feet -- -- an oration that was enthusiastically acclaimed by the palefaces -- -- one that it was agreed would never be forgotten by those who heard it, one that lamented the lost opportunity of the Indians, one that eulogized the palefaces and yet delicately reminded them of the tremendous obligation that they owed posterity.
     “To the big man of our railroad, ladies and gentlemen,” Chief Mennenick began.
     “Right here, at this very spot, it reminds me of the big council that was held by the Indians.
     “In a story that has been handed down from one generation to another, the rumor was reported that strange people were coming in a canoe. Going down to the landing place there were two white men and their party landing -- -- Lewis and Clark. And the story goes on that the Indians took the canoes and the white men and their provisions down to a place below the Great Falls for them to journey along.

Early Trip Recalled

     “Because of the language that the Indians and the white men spoke they could not understand one another, and the sign language had to be used. It was understood by the Indians of the Columbia tribe that they were going to the great sea and that they were leading a great mass of people that was to come behind them.
     “The chiefs got together and held a council and gave them the protection necessary and filled their wants. Of course we all know the Indians of those days didn't have anything but dried salmon and dried meat -- -- and I don't want to say that we don't have the dried salmon at this time, for still we have the salmon hanging. That is the usual custom at the fishing places -- -- dried salmon made ready for winter use.
     “The Indians in those days commercialized their dried salmon, trading with the Indians up and in the mountains for venison and buckskin to wear.

Indian Tribes Quarrel

     “Of course in those days what we now call the Oregon side, the Indians there were very troublesome with the Indians on the Washington side. I am descendent of people that has been raised from generation to generation at this spot below here.
     “A bad name we got from Indians that were called the Snake Indians -- -- very troublesome, warlike -- -- were on war path with different tribes on Columbia all the time. When first white settlers came down the Columbia they were the ones that killed many of the white people.
     “When the Columbia Indians made the first verbal agreement with the white settlers they always stuck to their word.
     “When trouble arose between the Indians from the Oregon side and the white settlers on the Oregon and Washington side, a man came to the Indians from the United States government asking for assistance. And the gentleman who shook hands with me (referring to Major-General Hugh L. Scott) reminds me of that man.

Father Always Aided

     “My father volunteered at all times as long as he lived -- -- as long as assistance asked for whites settlers or the American soldiers. He was always willing to lead his band in protecting his own tribe and the white race of people, and as I was made to understand through my father that there were white people coming and that they would settle this country as thick as the leaves that grow on the tree.
     “I am sorry that I am losing my eyesight, but I have seen wonderful changes and I have been to Vancouver many a time in my days -- -- when I was called by the soldiers to settle disputes between the tribes or between the white man. I have ridden back east to Washington, D.C., and to see such wonderful buildings and wonderful farms, and in that United States treasury was a mountain of gold.
     “It makes me think why the Indians didn't go about digging the gold and farming the farm and making money like the citizens in this country are doing.
     “And I have said to my younger Indians, I want you to have your minds set to understand and to see how I understand the white man and his ways and customs and be made to use your brains and to use your physical strength.
     “To my woman also I have said when you go into white woman's room you see wonderful furniture and you see how clean she keeps it, and I say we must be morally clean and religiously clean in order to become good American citizens. That is the foundation that has been laid by the white people and I hope it will continue to be held up from generation to generation to come.”