Celebrating Oregon’s First Peoples — Past, Present, and Future
Each November, we observe National Native American Heritage Month — a time to honor the rich cultures, stories, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples across the United States. Here in Oregon, that celebration has deep roots. Tribal nations have inhabited this land for centuries, shaping its ecology, languages, and traditional lifeways.
This month invites us to do more than acknowledge history. It encourages us to listen, learn, and connect — to understand better whose land we’re on, and how tribal communities continue to thrive, lead, and inspire.
Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes
There are currently nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon, with a total of more than 24,000 members. Several other federally recognized and non-recognized tribes also have traditional and customary lands in Oregon.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, more than 185,000 Oregonians identify as “American Indian or Alaska Native,” representing numerous other Tribes and bands from across the country. Portland, in particular, boasts the ninth-largest Urban Indian population in the United States.
These tribes are sovereign, meaning they have their own constitutions, laws, and governments, and play an active role in shaping Oregon’s future. Here’s a closer look at each of them
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Located in northwest Oregon, near Salem, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde comprise over 30 tribes and bands, including the Kalapuya, Chinook, Molalla, Rogue River, and Umpqua peoples. These communities were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands and resettled on the Grand Ronde Reservation in the 1850s. Today, the tribe is deeply involved in cultural revitalization and economic development. They operate the Spirit Mountain Casino and fund numerous community programs focused on education, language preservation, and healthcare. Tribal historian David G. Lewis is one of several cultural leaders helping to reconnect tribal members and the public with Grand Ronde history.
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
This confederation represents 27 distinct tribes and bands that were relocated from across western Oregon and northern California. Based on the central Oregon coast, the Siletz people were among those affected by the 19th-century U.S. government policy of forced removal. Their reservation lands were severely reduced, but the tribe regained federal recognition in 1977. The Siletz Tribes are active in preserving their heritage through programs in language revitalization, traditional crafts, and annual cultural gatherings that honor shared traditions.
Coquille Indian Tribe
The Coquille people traditionally lived along the Coquille River in southwest Oregon. Like many tribes, they were terminated by the federal government in the 1950s, only to be restored in 1989. The Coquille Indian Tribe has since focused on land stewardship, healthcare services, and economic development through enterprises such as the Mill Casino. They maintain strong cultural programs to preserve language and intergenerational learning, and they continue to play a vital role in regional sustainability and forest management initiatives.
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians
These three distinct tribal communities share ancestral lands along the mid-southern Oregon coast, from the estuaries near Coos Bay to the forests around Florence. They have worked to preserve their cultural practices and ecological knowledge in the face of displacement and marginalization. Today, they support language programs, environmental restoration efforts, and public education initiatives. Their tribal offices host events and workshops designed to reconnect tribal members with traditions of canoe building, shellfish gathering, and basket weaving.
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Based around Roseburg in southern Oregon, the Cow Creek Band are stewards of the Rogue and Umpqua Valleys. Though they never signed a formal treaty with the United States, they were recognized as a sovereign nation in the 1980s. The tribe is recognized for its successful economic enterprises, including the Seven Feathers Casino and various regional investments. Their contributions to housing, health, and education have made them a model of tribal self-determination. They are also active in forest and watershed conservation.
The Klamath Tribes
Comprising the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin-Paiute peoples, the Klamath Tribes live in south-central Oregon around Upper Klamath Lake and the Cascade Mountains. These tribes have deep spiritual and ecological connections to the land and water, particularly with fish species such as the C’waam and Koptu, which are central to their identity. After losing federal recognition during the termination era, the tribe was restored in 1986. Today, they are leading efforts in ecological justice and water rights, striking a balance between environmental protection and cultural survival.
Burns Paiute Tribe
The Burns Paiute Tribe is located in Harney County, within the high desert region of southeastern Oregon. Descended from the Wadatika band of the Northern Paiute, they have traditionally lived in mobile communities attuned to the rhythms of desert seasons. Today, the tribe operates social services, youth programs, and natural resource initiatives focused on restoring the sagebrush steppe. Cultural preservation is also a priority, with efforts to document language and strengthen ties to ancestral lands.
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR)
Near Pendleton in northeast Oregon, the CTUIR includes the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples. These Plateau tribes have long lived along the Columbia River, practicing salmon fishing, horsemanship, and seasonal gathering. The tribe is known for its leadership in salmon restoration and ecological advocacy, as well as the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, a center that shares tribal stories, art, and perspectives. CTUIR also runs a tribal newspaper, robust youth programs, and a tribal court system.
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Situated in central Oregon near the Cascade Range, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs include the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Northern Paiute bands. The reservation, one of the largest in the state, is known for its scenic beauty, strong cultural identity, and complex environmental challenges. The tribe has historically relied on river ecosystems for fishing and irrigation and continues to advocate for water rights and land protection. Warm Springs also supports cultural education programs and hosts annual powwows that draw visitors from across the region.
Suggested Reading on Oregon Tribal Histories
Want to go deeper? These books are a great place to start — whether you’re looking for personal stories, tribal histories, or cultural traditions:
Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley by David G. Lewis
A beautifully written exploration of western Oregon tribal histories, blending oral traditions and historical research.
The People Are Dancing Again by Charles Wilkinson
A detailed history of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and their journey through termination and restoration.
Oregon Indians: Voices from Two Centuries by Stephen Dow Beckham
A mix of firsthand accounts and historical documents offering a wide view of tribal experiences across Oregon.
Coyote Was Going There edited by Jarold Ramsey
A collection of Indigenous stories and oral literature from Oregon’s many tribal traditions.
The First Oregonians (edited by Laura Berg)
Essays, maps, and artwork exploring Oregon Native history, culture, and resilience.
A celebration of the Columbia River tribes through their artwork and creative traditions.
Closing Thoughts
National Native American Heritage Month is not just a history lesson. It’s an invitation to recognize that tribal communities are alive and thriving, right here and now. Their governments, languages, traditions, and cultural leadership continue to profoundly shape Oregon.
This month — and every month — is an opportunity to honor that legacy and take a step closer to understanding the full story of the land we inhabit.
