George Meninock.
In 1915, Yakama leader George Meninick’s close friend Alec Towessnute was charged in Benton County Superior Court for fishing with a gaff hook within one mile of the newly built Prosser Dam. Though the charges were initially dismissed by Judge Bert Linn—who recognized tribal fishing rights as a “preserve” shielded from state interference—the Washington State Supreme Court reinstated the charges in 1916.
In protest, 77-year-old Meninick deliberately returned to fish at Topxatuxt, fully aware he would be arrested. In 1917, he defended his actions in court, drawing on his direct experience at the 1855 Treaty Council in Walla Walla, which he had attended at just 15 years old.
Below is Meninick’s court statement:
“Chief Judge, let you represent the spirit of Governor Stevens and I will represent the spirit of my father Meninick and I will speak the words he told me often. When the Chiefs at that [Walla Walla] Council did not want to sign the treaty, Stevens asked them why, and the Indians said, ‘If we give you possession of the lands we will lose our rights to fish in the streams,’ but Stevens said ‘No.’ My father said, ‘When we are dead then who will be witness to what you promise.’ Then Governor Stevens said, “I will write it down in the Treaty that you and your people have the right to take fish at these old fishing places, and I pledge the American to keep this promise as long as the mountains stand, as long as the sun shines and as long as the river runs.’” Now I can call in the spirits of the dead, to that I speak the truth, as I call in the witnesses that Governor Stevens himself appointed. For the white-topped mountain still stands, the sun still melts its snow into the river that still [carries] its fresh waters to the sea to invite the salmon to come to our old fishing places.”
Top-tut where we are arrested for fishing, is one of those old fishing places where the Indians were fishing when Governor Stevens gave the solemn promise which our people accepted as the pledge of the government. And we say that when your officers punished us for taking fish at the places reserved you violate your Treaty and your promise, and while you may punish us because you [are] the power, yet before God whose justice is more than that of men, we are innocent of having done wrong.
I have tried to speak as the spirit of my father would speak. He never taught me lies. He taught me to speak the truth and to stand by what is right, and we hope you, Chief Judge, will speak as the spirit of Stevens would speak if he were here today. We are sure he would never want it said that he deceived the Indians with lying words or that he made promises for the white people they would never keep. [So] take this Treaty out of the grave where it lies buried in error, shake off the dust from it so you can see its words plainly, read it as the Spirit of Governor Stevens and of our fathers would want you to interpret it, as they understood it and agreed to it. Then hold it up high so all the people can know its truth, for when the white people really know this truth, I am sure they will see to it that the Indians may have the rights which the Treaty secures for them.
For years I have been trying to defend the rights of my people. I have come to Olympia many times to see the Governor and the officers. I have brought the interpreters with me and spend much money, and I am now poor and old and may never come again. It does not matter much what may be done with me, but it makes me sad that I have been able to accomplish nothing for my Indian people, and the thought that I may die without having secured for them their rights, will break my heart, but then God [knows] I did my best.”
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