Native American Heritage Month

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we will be sharing about the many diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and important contributions of Native people.

Indigenous peoples have long understood our inherent nationhood, and responsibility to carry our culture and traditions that make us who we are - long before the formation of the United States. Currently, there are 574 federally recognized tribes within the US and each tribe has its own culture and traditions. Federally recognized tribes in the US do not include state-recognized Tribes or Indigenous communities that have not been granted state or federal recognition.

Let's start off by learning about our local Tribes.

Atlas of Oregon (2nd ed.), 2001

Burns Paiute Tribe

The Burns Paiute Reservation is located in rural eastern Oregon. The Burns Paiute Tribe is primarily comprised of the descendants of the Wadatika Band of Northern Paiutes. The traditional homelands of the Burns Paiute include 5250 square miles of land in central-southeastern Oregon, Northern Nevada, northwestern California and western Idaho. The Burns Paiute still maintain aboriginal title to much of our aboriginal territory. The Tribe currently has 402 enrolled members of which 142 people call the Reservation their home. We are a relatively “young” community with over 50% of our population being under the age of 18.

For more information visit Burns Paiute Tribe

Travel Oregon Spotlight: Burns Paiute Tribes of Southeast Oregon

Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama Nation

Located in southwestern Washington State is the 1,130,000 acres reservation that is home to the Yakima or Yakama Indian Nation (AID, 39). The Yakama Nation, which is about 6,300 strong (AID, 39) has a flag (sample flag provided by Elmer's Flag and Banner, Portland, OR) that shows the borders of the reservation in white against a sky blue background. Within the map is a depiction of Mount Adams, an impressive mountain that lies partly within the reservation. This mountain is sacred to the Yakama. Soaring above the mountain is an eagle depicted in full color. Not only is the eagle sacred, but it shares a lifestyle with many Yakama who earn their living fishing for salmon in the waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries.

For more information visit Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama Nation and Yakama Nation Museum and Cultural Center

Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are made up of three tribes (four Bands): two bands of Coos Tribes: Hanis Coos (Coos Proper), Miluk Coos; Lower Umpqua Tribe; and Siuslaw Tribe. We strive to perpetuate our unique identity as Indians and as members of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and to promote and protect that identity. It is our goal to preserve and promote our cultural, religious and historical beliefs while continuing to learn and grow as a part of the community we live in. We also work to promote the social and economic welfare of our members both inside and outside of our five-county service area here in Oregon. Our five-county service area is made up of Coos, Curry, Lincoln, Douglas and Lane counties.

For more information visit Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon is a federally recognized Tribe that includes over 30 Tribes and bands from western Oregon, northern California, and southwest Washington. These include Tribal bands from the Kalapuya, Molalla, Chasta, Umpqua, Rogue River, Chinook, and Tillamook. The Tribe is active throughout its ancestral homelands but located in western Oregon where it has a 11,500-acre reservation in Yamhill County. With approximately 5,400 enrolled tribal members, the Tribe is governed by a nine-member Tribal Council that is elected by the Tribe’s voting membership.

For more information visit Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center.

Travel Oregon Spotlight: Grand Ronde

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz is a federally recognized confederation of 27 bands, originating from Northern California to Southern Washington. Termination was imposed upon the Siletz by the United States government in 1955. In November of 1977, we were the first Tribe in the state of Oregon and second in the United States to be fully restored to federal recognition. In 1992, our Tribe achieved self governance, which allows us to compact directly with the US Government. This gives us control and accountability over our Tribal programs and funding. We occupy and manage a 3,666 acre reservation located in Lincoln County, Oregon. We manage several resources, including water, timber and fish.

For more information visit Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

Travel Oregon Spotlight: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is a union of three Tribes: Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla. The CTUIR has 2,965 Tribal members. Nearly half of those Tribal members live on or near the Umatilla Reservation. The Umatilla Reservation is also home to another 300 Indians who are members of other Tribes. About 1,500 non-Indians also live on the Reservation. Thirty percent of our membership is composed of children under age 18. Fifteen percent are elders over age 55. CTUIR is governed by a constitution and by-laws adopted in 1949. The governing body is the nine-member board of trustees, elected every two years by the general council (Tribal members age 18 and older).

For more information visit CTUIR and Tamástslikt Cultural Institute.

Travel Oregon Spotlight: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

It is the land of the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute Native American Tribes, stretching from the snowcapped summit of the Cascade Mountains to the palisaded cliffs of the Deschutes River in Central Oregon. Despite the great loss of traditional culture that occurred as a result of settlement on the reservation, the people of the Warm Springs Reservation have succeeded in holding on to many of our ancient traditions and values. Our longhouses still ring with prayer songs that have been handed down for generations.

For more information visit Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Museum at Warm Springs.

Travel Oregon Spotlight: Warm Springs

Cow Creek Band of Umpqua TRIBE OF INDIANS

The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians upholds tribal government, protects and preserves Tribal sovereignty, history, culture and the general welfare of the Tribal membership, and serves to provide for the long-term economic needs of the Tribe and its members through economic development of Tribal lands. The Tribe encourages and promotes a strong work ethic and personal independence for Tribal members, while strongly upholding the “government to government” relationship with local, state and federal governments. The Tribe constantly strives to maintain and develop strong cooperative relationships that benefit the Tribe and local community.

For more information visit Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

Travel Oregon Spotlight: Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians

Coquille Indian Tribe

Comprising a people whose ancestors lived in the lands of the Coquille River watershed and lower Coos Bay, the Coquille Indian Tribe today has over 1,000 members and a land base of 7,043 acres. After the United States reinstituted federal recognition to the Tribe and restored its full sovereignty rights in 1989, the Coquille Tribal government created an administrative program that now provides housing, health care, education, elder care, law enforcement and judicial services to its members. Approximately 538 Tribal members and their families live in the Tribe’s five county service area covering 15,603 square miles of Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, and Lane counties. Approximately 350 Tribal members live in Coos County.

For more information visit Coquille Indian Tribe.

Travel Oregon Spotlight: Coquille Indian Tribe

Klamath Tribes

The mission of the Klamath Tribes is to protect, preserve and enhance the spiritual, cultural and physical values and resources of the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Peoples by maintaining the customs and heritage of our ancestors. To establish comprehensive unity by fostering the enhancement of spiritual and cultural values through a government whose function is to protect the human and cultural resources, treaty rights, and to provide for the development and delivery of social and economic opportunities for our people through effective leadership.

For more information visit The Klamath Tribes.

Travel Oregon Spotlight: Klamath Tribes

Nez Perce Tribe

The Nez Perce Tribe is a federally recognized Tribe in north-central Idaho with more than 3,500 enrolled citizens. Headquartered in Lapwai, ID, the Nez Perce Reservation spans about 770,000 acres. Originally, the Nimiipuu people occupied an area that included parts of present-day Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. They moved throughout this region and parts of what are now Montana and Wyoming to fish, hunt, and trade.

The current governmental structure is based on a constitution adopted by the Tribe in 1948. The Tribe is governed by a nine-member elected executive committee, known as the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee or NPTEC. The NPTEC is obligated to protect the health and welfare of the Nez Perce people. This means protecting and preserving treaty rights and Tribal sovereignty, Nez Perce culture and the general environment of the reservation.

For more information visit Nez Perce Tribe and Nez Perce Cultural Resource Program.

Leslie MasonWillamette Falls Trustnative american heritage month, local tribes