Washington East of the Cascades Indian Agency

Indian Tribes Associated With This Agency
Nez Perce, Flathead, Coeur d'Alene, Cayuse, Paloos, Spokan

History
An agency of the Office of Indian Affairs was established in 1857 at The Dalles, Oregon, on the Columbia River. It was named the Washington East of the Cascades Agency, and was responsible for the Nez Perce, Flathead, and Coeur d'Alene Indians. In 1858, the agency was moved to Walla Walla, Washington, and was responsible mainly for the Nez Perce, Cayuse, and Paloos. In 1861, it was renamed the Nez Perce Agency and was responsible only for the Nez Perce Indians.

See Nez Perce Indian Agency.

Records
Agencies and subagencies were created as administrative offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and its predecessors. Their purpose was (and is) to manage Indian affairs with the tribes, to enforce policies, and to assist in maintaining the peace. The names and location of these agencies may have changed, but their purpose remained basically the same. Many of the records of genealogical value (for the tribe and tribal members) were created by and maintained by the agencies.

Any surviving records for this agency would be filed with those of the Nez Perce Agency and other successors.