Adversity offers benefits for remote Oregon tribe

BURNS, Ore. - The Burns Paiute Tribe is the smallest tribe in Oregon with a reservation on the edge of Burns that measures just 871 acres. But don't let the size fool you - they have a lot going on.

Diane Teeman, the newly appointed cultural specialist, explained the early history.

''After the major era of treaty making, which occurred from the 1840s to the mid-1860s, there were a few treaties being negotiated, but none made it through Congress for ratification. One that didn't make it through was the treaty with the Snakes in 1868 which was signed by the Paiute head men of all of southeastern Oregon with just one exception. Shortly later, a reservation was created by executive order and it was different from other treaties in that no land was deeded and no rights were ceded. It basically stated that the Paiutes would stop fighting and lay down their arms. Because the treaty was never ratified, we're not officially a treaty tribe. It's called a historic tribe.''

The tribe gained land through the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which provided funding to purchase land and begin programs. The Paiutes are situated on a number of reservations, including several in Nevada and two others in Oregon. The Burns Paiute Tribe numbers about 350 enrolled members who maintain contacts and have family ties with other Paiute tribes.

Want to know more? Click here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415055