Chinook Indian Nation

06/18/2026

What does it mean to carry knowledge across generations?

Anthropologist Jon Daehnke reflects on the relationship between place, responsibility, and the teachings carried forward by the Chinook people from one generation to the next.

Watch Guardians of the Waters on YouTube. Link in bio.

06/15/2026

It is always a joy to see our young people reaching their goals. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Ava Pine and all the hard work that brought her here. Congratulations, Ava, and best wishes as you begin this exciting new chapter at Western Washington University. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next.

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Grays Harbor College is proud to celebrate Ava Pine’s incredible accomplishments! A graduate of South Bend High School, Ava has also earned her Associate in Arts Transfer Degree from GHC—an amazing milestone that reflects her hard work and determination. This fall, Ava will continue her journey at Western Washington University, where she plans to study business. With goals of obtaining her real estate license and becoming a realtor, Ava is already building a bright and ambitious future.
We also join Ava in recognizing someone special—her mom—whose constant encouragement and support have made a lasting impact along the way 💙
Please join us in congratulating Ava and wishing her continued success in all that lies ahead!

06/13/2026

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What are you doing this summer 🦫💧? Join us on August 10-13th for our four day water summit & pre-college art residency and we’ll help you turn water advocacy into action! Apply for the program in-person or participate virtually using the links in our bio. ()

06/12/2026

A beautiful day in Chinook Country for gathering cedar.

Last month, Chinook community members and relatives spent time gathering cedar, continuing a practice that has been part of life in this place for countless generations.

Cedar has long been woven into Chinook life, providing materials for baskets, hats, clothing, ropes, and regalia. More than a resource, it reflects an enduring relationship with the land and the knowledge passed from one generation to the next.

Those teachings continue to be shared and carried forward today.

Photos by Amiran White

06/11/2026

Chinook Tribal Council member Donovan Wargo and Jurain Lafayette were married this past weekend, surrounded by family and friends

We are delighted for Donovan and Jurain and wish them every happiness as they begin this new journey together.

Congratulations to the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Wargo. ❤️

06/10/2026

What is tribal sovereignty?

As conversations about sovereignty, treaty rights, and federal recognition continue across our region, we wanted to reshare this episode of CrashCourse Native American History.

Narrated by , it offers one of the clearest explanations we've seen of what tribal sovereignty is, where it comes from, and why it matters. The Chinook Indian Nation's story is also featured as part of the discussion.

Since this episode was produced, the Chinook Indian Nation secured an important legal victory in the Docket 234 case. In that decision, the federal courts, Congress, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs affirmed the Chinook Indian Nation as the legal heir to the Lower Chinook and Clatsop peoples and their land claim settlement. While the fight for restored federal recognition continues, the decision reaffirmed the Nation's continuity and enduring connection to its homeland.

Whether you're new to these issues or have been following them for years, we encourage you to take a few minutes to watch.

Note: This episode references 574 federally recognized tribes. The current number is 575.

What is tribal sovereignty? In this episode of Crash Course Native American History, we’ll explore how tribes can and can’t govern themselves, and why sovere...

06/09/2026

Hayu masi to artist Elizabeth Roberts and the many partners who helped bring this project to life.

It was wonderful to see community members gather at Sunset Beach to celebrate stewardship, salmon, culture, and our shared responsibility to care for the places we call home.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day a success.

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Grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with and to bring this project to life.
Thank you all for allowing me the freedom to follow my heart and trust my vision. It was important to me to use this opportunity to bring much needed visibility and representation to the original caretakers of the land where this artwork was placed.
Too often native people are thought of in the past tense, however we are still here speaking our languages and practicing our traditions and cultures.
I am thankful to the Chinook Nation for their willingness to partner with me on this project, and am honored that Tony Johnson, artist and chairman of the Chinook Nation, entrusted me with his designs and to accurately represent Chinookan art and culture.
It is my hope that all who visit this place will be inspired to become better caretakers of Mother Earth and help keep the peoples promise to the salmon, just as the salmon have upheld their promise to the people.

06/08/2026

For the Chinook Nation, the Columbia is more than a shipping channel. It is home.

Chinook Tribal Council member Rachel Cushman is featured in this High Country News story examining how decades of dredging, dams, and river engineering have transformed the lower Columbia and the communities that depend on it.

Thank you to High Country News and Josephine Woolington for bringing attention to these important conversations.

Read the full story: https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-6/dredging-the-columbia-river-at-the-expense-of-tribal-and-aquatic-communities/

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ deepening of the lower Columbia River has transformed lifeways for tribal and aquatic communities.

ChinookIndianNation

06/06/2026

A new collaborative installation featuring the work of Indigenous artists, including Chinook Tribal Chairman Tony A. Johnson, was recently unveiled at the Oregon State Capitol. 🙌🏽

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Artists sighting: Tony A. (naschio) Johnson (Chinook), Adam Mclsaac, Shirod Younker (Coquille/Miluk Coos/Umpqua) lli?i, kusax, salt-tsaqw (Land, Air, Sea), 2026 Bronze

“The imagery depicted in the Oregon State Capitol East Courtyard is Blue Jay’s Wife, Coyote, the Huckleberry Sisters and Deer. In the West Courtyard: basketry imagery of a sturgeon’s back and people, Thunderbird, Sea Otter and Bullwhip kelp.

Together, we aim to reference our covenant to land, air and water. A good sentiment or value that all
Oregonians, not just Tribal people, should live by.”

At the Oregon State Capitol, Salem OR

06/05/2026

Congratulations to Chinook artist Felicia Bryan on the unveiling of Whale Tale, an interactive public art installation in Seattle.

We are proud of Felicia and proud to see a Chinook artist recognized in this way. ❤️