Tamastslikt Cultural Institute director Bobbie Conner distributes signing paperwork during a ceremony commemorating the transfer of the Fred L. Mitchell & Family Collection to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation at the Nixyaawii Governance Center in Mission, Ore., March 31, 2026.
Antonio Sierra / OPB
On Tuesday, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation signed an agreement with Fred Mitchell to acquire his vast collection of Columbia River Plateau tribal artwork and artifacts. The collection includes 15,000 stone points and tools, 1,250 historic photographs, 800 beaded bags and pouches, baskets and other items. Mitchell is a retired former mayor and firefighter from Walla Walla, Washington who started collecting arrowheads when he was 5 years old and amassed other tribal items over the past seven decades.
The Fred L. Mitchell & Family Collection also includes objects collected by Mitchell’s parents and other relatives, according to Bonnie Conner, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla and director of the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. The museum has featured several temporary exhibits in recent years with items loaned by Mitchell, such as one that showcased beaded depictions of horses made by Columbia Plateau tribes. Conner joins us to discuss the cultural and historical significance of the items within Mitchell’s collection, including Native American cradleboards, or infant carriers, that will be featured in an exhibit at TCI in June.
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