Native Rights

I am an attorney for the Indian community of the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.

What the lead article on the Columbia River Gorge/Hood River failed to note (“Tales From the Hood,” July 1) is that all those sporting events disrupt a major Indian treaty fishery. The article also fails to mention that the region is, as it has been for thousands of years, the center of Native culture for what is now an area of eight states. For the past 80 years the area has been the site of governmental attacks against Indian populations and their fishery.

It would be better for the tourists and the local communities if the sponsors of those sporting events would involve the Indians in the planning of their celebrations.

JACK L. SCHWARTZ

Los Angeles