<p>CTUIR board of trustees chair Les Minthorn signs joint agreements with Union Pacific Railroad CEO John Koraleski. The agreements give tribal members' access to historic grounds in Meacham Canyon and formalize a collaborative relationship between Union Pacific and CTUIR. </p>

Two agreements 158 years in the making were signed Wednesday between the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Union Pacific Railroad.

In the Treaty of 1855, the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla tribes ceded 6.4 million acres of land to the federal government but reserved their rights to fish, hunt and gather. The master access agreement with Union Pacific now allows tribal members to enter historic hunting and fishing grounds through Meacham Canyon owned by the railroad. In addition, a memorandum of understanding established a formal relationship between the two entities.

Our hunters couldnt hunt, CTUIR secretary Kathryn Brigham said. Now they can do things their fathers and grandfathers did, not only hunting and fishing but gathering food and medicine.

The agreements follow two years of discussions between Union Pacific and CTUIR, which began when the tribes took issue with their inability to access parts of Meacham Creek for restoration. It is the first formal agreement of its kind between the railroad and native peoples in the United States.

While the tribes wanted access to historic grounds, Union Pacific voiced concern over safety with nearby railroads in the discussions. As a result, the railroad company is providing safety training for tribal members.

The memorandum of understanding also recognizes that Union Pacific will work with CTUIR when building additional railing.

Union Pacific chief executive officer John Koraleski and representatives of the railroad took part in the agreements celebration Thursday at Nixyaawii Governance Center, where the two groups sang and prayed together.

Its an honor to be with people who honor, cherish and protect their culture, heritage and history, Koraleski said. That is also very important to us.

Contact Natalie Wheeler at nwheeler@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836.