For some reason the Plateau of eastern Oregon and Washington has received relatively little attention from those museums and scholars who celebrate Indian cultures of North America. It is not for want of cultural diversity within the region or for lack of beauty and distinction of the Plateau material arts. Nonetheless, the Plateau has suffered neglect over the years, languishing from an unwarranted deficiency of institutional regard.
This exhibition thus provides a welcome opportunity to explore that area within a variety of dimensions, both artistic and anthropological. It presents a wonderful chance also to expose some newly awakened insights utilizing what is unquestionably the largest and richest private collection of Plateau materials in existence today, The Roger J. Bounds Foundation, Inc. Collection. . .
From a collection of many hundred Indian objects, the curator of our Plains Indian Museum, George Horse Capture, has selected one hundred and two works to form this exhibition. These one hundred plus pieces reveal that bond of traditions between Northern Plains and Plateau peoples especially well. They also provide radiant proof of the Plateau people's remarkable creative skill and inspiration. -- From Introduction