Amy Trice
At that time conditions for tribal members were depressing — including poor housing conditions with no bathing facilities and inadequate plumbing, and a serious lack of medical care. Trice describes it as a “hard life,” but one she felt could be improved with federal assistance. Under her direction, tribal members sent letters to government officials (including the president) and set up a voluntary toll collection along Highway 95.
Their cause drew immediate attention from the media and sympathy from the public. Three days later, their demands were met without a drop of blood being shed.
In an interview for a University of Idaho project, Trice reiterated the tribe’s standing: “We were the only ones to never sign a treaty. Today we haven’t even signed it. That is why we can still do whatever we want because we are not a treaty people. Why should I have to sign a treaty when this is my country?”
Photo, courtesy of PBS
