Tape 1, Side 1, through Tape 3, Side 1. In the first interview session, conducted on January 22, 1999, Williams speaks extensively about his family background, starting with his great-great-grandfather, Chief Ta-hon-nah Tumulth of the Cascades tribe, who signed the 1855 Willamette Valley Treaty. He talks about the lives and careers of his parents, Arthur Clyde Williams and Bettye Rawley. He talks about his early life in Petaluma, California, discusses his Native identity, and describes his work as an engineer during the 1960s. He also talks about serving in the Peace Corps. He talks about pursuing a career as a photographer beginning in the 1970s. He discusses his involvement with Friends of the Earth, and speaks extensively about his involvement with efforts to designate the Columbia River Gorge as a National Scenic Area. He describes opposition he faced, particularly from the Friends of the Columbia Gorge, and explains why he now feels that the scenic area designation is inadequate.