Bend, OR – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek recently marked the completion of a year-long effort to visit all nine of the state’s federally recognized tribes. This initiative, following her first year in office where she traveled to each of Oregon’s 36 counties, was designed to deepen the state’s relationship with the sovereign nations within its borders.
Kotek’s visits, which wrapped up this fall, took her to diverse tribal communities across Oregon, where she learned about their distinct cultures, histories, and challenges. From touring fish hatcheries with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians to crafting traditional duck decoys with the Burns Paiute Tribe’s youth, Kotek embraced the variety of experiences each tribe offered.
“I wish I could have done more than a day at each location,” Kotek said, reflecting on the visits. “Every visit was different, unique, and instructive, specific to the tribe.”
Tribal leaders have expressed appreciation for Kotek’s effort to understand the diversity of Oregon’s tribes. Brad Kneaper, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, praised the governor for recognizing the individuality of each tribe. He emphasized that past interactions often involved one tribe being representative of all, but Kotek made an effort to engage each community on its own terms.
“One of the things that we’ve had happen in the past is somebody will talk to one tribe and assume they’ve talked to all tribes,” Kneaper said. “The governor understands that we all have individual governments, beliefs, and cultural practices, and she’s shown respect for that.”
Kotek’s trip to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians in July included visits to a former Miluk village site at Gregory Point, an estuary restoration project, and the Three Rivers Health Center, which serves both tribal members and the surrounding community. In her reflection on the visit, Kotek highlighted the important role tribal governments play in supporting local communities, providing essential services such as housing, health care, education, and transportation.
“Their work benefits not only their citizens but also the broader communities they reside in,” Kotek said.
Her visit to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in March showcased the tribe’s community-focused efforts. Leaders introduced Kotek to their clinic and a community garden where fresh produce is grown for members. Bud Lane, vice chairman of the tribal council, emphasized the importance of cultural exchange during Kotek’s visit, particularly in sharing traditional songs and dances with the governor.
“It was a meaningful day to us,” Lane said. “It helps foster a better relationship between our governments and allows us to connect on a personal level.”
Kotek’s visits to Oregon’s tribes reflect her commitment to building stronger, more respectful relationships with the state’s Indigenous communities. The visits also underscore her administration’s recognition of the unique contributions tribal nations make to the social and economic fabric of the state. As Kotek moves forward in her term, the relationships she has cultivated with tribal leaders will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of state-tribal collaboration in Oregon.
