Artwork copyright Jacqueline Moreau. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Myra Sohappy, 1986

Jacqueline Moreau
American (born 1948)

Location: Yacolt Elementary, Yacolt

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Myra Sohappy shows a member of the Yakama Tribe in 1986 at age sixty. Myra Sohappy (1926-2005) lived for many years in Cook’s Landing along the Columbia River in south central Washington State. She was an important participant in the battle for Native fishing rights in Washington State in the 1960s and 70s. Documentary photographer Jacqueline Moreau photographed the Sohappy family from 1985 to 1991. Moreau notes, “[Myra] and her husband, David Sohappy, are known for their practice of traditional Native American beliefs and for their efforts to exercise treaty rights guaranteed in the Treaty of 1855. Together they fought for fair treatment of Indian people… Myra Sohappy traveled to Geneva, Switzerland in 1987 and addressed the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. She said, ‘My husband David Sohappy is from the Wanapum band of Columbia River Indians. His ancestors sold and bartered fish to the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805… Our religion tells us to honor the first salmon (that arrive in spring), and to thank our Creator for the water and salmon, and all the other natural things put on this earth for our people.’”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with .

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jacqueline Moreau is a documentary photographer and journalist. Her body of work captures the lives and traditions of Native American peoples living along the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon. Her work investigates the complex cultural and social issues facing Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce Tribes. Moreau states, "A need exists to really know that many aboriginal cultures have survived to the present time because traditions and beliefs have imparted sustaining values and practices in harmony with the environment. There is much to be learned from that. There is balance and beauty in this, and it is important." A collection of Moreau's photographs and manuscript materials is housed by the University of Oregon Libraries.