In 1855 the Yakama people, along with 13 other tribes and bands, signed a treaty with the United States government which established the Yakama Reservation at the foot of Mt. Adams in south central Washington state. Since that time the culture, families, and dreams of the Yakama people have steadily disintegrated.
Today, individuals and families on the reservation are struggling with:
• Lost vision and hope for the future
• Alcoholism and drug abuse
• Broken families
• Neglected and abused children
• At-risk teens (30% in White Swan are technically homeless)
• Crime
• Violence
• Suicide