Last updated: April 7, 2021
Place
Tamástslikt Cultural Institute
Quick Facts
Location:
Pendleton, OR
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
17 listed
Accessible Rooms, Benches/Seating, Fire Extinguisher, Food/Drink - Restaurant/Table Service, Food/Drink - Snacks, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Telephone, Theater/Auditorium, Ticket Sales, Toilet - Flush
Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums
Visitor Centers (shown in orange), High Potential Historic Sites (shown in black), and Pivotal Places (shown in green) along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
The Tamástslikt Cultural Institute is a must-see attraction near Pendleton, Oregon, honoring the history, culture, and traditions of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes. In the span of a few hours, visitors can retrace a 10,000-year journey and experience the past, present, and future of the three tribes and Umatilla Indian Reservation. As the only Native American museum along the Oregon Trail, the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute tells a unique story of perseverance and heartbreak.
The name “Tamástslikt” is a rendition of the Walla Walla North East Sahaptin dialect, meaning “interpreting our own story.” Permanent exhibits titled “We Are”, “We Were”, and “We Will Be” detail the historic, current, and future aspirations of the tribal community. Each exhibit is accompanied by immersive sights, sounds, and interactive aspects which will allow visitors a unique and memorable experience. Temporary exhibits host a variety of artwork and pieces from organizations and guest artists that rotate every few months.
Also on site is the Kinship Café, which specializes in a variety of native-inspired dishes, and a sizeable gift shop featuring books, CDs and DVDs, apparel, blankets, home decor, toys, jewelry, art, and more. Local hand-crafted items by tribal members are featured throughout the year. Several rooms are available to rent for private gatherings of all sizes, where the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Mountains can be seen from east-facing windows. Catering services are available from the café. The Tamástslikt Cultural Institute is also dedicated to renewable energy and has a live wind turbine coupled with solar panels.
Please visit https://www.tamastslikt.org/ for hours, rates, and more information on current exhibits and programs.