Wagon ruts and ancient stories
National Oregon Trail Visitor Center - EOVA/Pendleton
The exploration of the west was celebrated as an achievement by the European settlers. But Native Americans had a different perspective,ÿthey were driven from their lands which they had inhabited for thousands of years. Eastern Oregon is home to two excellent museums which show both perspectives. The Tam stslikt Cultural Institute near Pendleton explains the over 10,000-year history and culture of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes and how they managed to maintain their traditional songs, dances, art, language, clothing, religion and food?despite all the changes these explorers brought. One-hundred miles (160 km) southeast, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City offers the perspective of the early settlers on the long and dangerous journey from the East to the unknown West. From the museum, visitors can still see the famous ruts, the tracks left in the prairie ground by the settlers? wagons 150 years later.