The events that shape the Warm Springs Reservation are best summarized by a few key documents:

• The Northwest Ordinance of July 13, 1787 first states Indian Policy in a formal manner.
• The Treaty of 1855 defined the area of the Reservation, and allowed the Tribes to keep their rights to harvest fish, game, and other foods on accustomed lands outside the reservation boundaries.
• The Wheeler-Howard Act (Indian Reorganization) of 1934 established the principle that Indians are best governed by themselves.
• The Tribal Constitution and By-Laws established the Tribal Government in 1938. PDF format.
• The Corporate Charter incorporated the Tribes in 1938.
• The McQuinn Strip Boundary Dispute: 1871-1972
• The Declaration of Sovereignty of June 25, 1992 declared the sovereign authority of the Tribes to determine our destiny and control all persons, land, water, resources, and activities free from outside interference.
• The Management Plan of May 8, 1995 defines and gives clarity to relationships, roles and responsibilities of the different units within the Tribal Organization.
• The People's Plan of June, 1999 is an Executive Summary of the Comprehensive Plan for the Year 2020. This plan reflects a three-year effort to gain the community's direction for updating the 1983 Plan. (In Adobe format)
• The Tribal Code Book contains the Tribal Laws, Regulations, Rules and Codes of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.