Visit marks eighth of Governor’s commitment to visit all nine federally recognized Tribal nations of Oregon this year

Last week, Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson visited the Klamath Tribes. The visit is part of Governor Kotek’s commitment to meet with all of Oregon’s nine federally recognized sovereign Tribal nations in 2024.

“The First Lady and I are so grateful for the hospitality shown by the Klamath Tribes,” Governor Kotek said. “It is a great privilege to witness the opening of Melita’s Hotel, visit the Wood River Wetlands, and discuss the Tribe’s innovative solutions to challenges both unique to tribal communities and shared across Oregon. We also discussed the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons epidemic facing Tribes across our state and nation. As Governor of the State of Oregon, I remain committed to doing all I can to ensure justice for the families of those who have been lost due to senseless violence.”

“The Klamath Tribes welcomed Governor Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson to meet as two sovereigns on a government-to-government basis to raise the level of understanding concerning how the Tribes’ aboriginal rights have been and are being adversely impacted, which erodes the viability and sustainability to exercising and practicing our culture and heritage. We are hopeful that Governor Kotek’s government-to-government consultation processes will be implemented throughout state government, agencies, and employees. The Tribes were honored to host Governor Kotek and the First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson in our homelands and look forward to future consultations, we deeply appreciate and Sepk’eec’a. Thank you for listening to all the issues the Tribes are facing.”

The visit started with some of the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) of the Klamath Tribes. In June 2024, the Klamath Tribes were devastated by the murder of two teenage sisters, 19 year old Aleeka Qualls and 14 year old Zion Qualls, Klamath tribal descendants and the daughters of Tashka Qualls and Crystal Davis.

The Governor and First Lady then joined Tribal Council and Tribe members at the Klamath Culture and Heritage Department at the goos oLgi gowa Center. Breakfast included a blessing of the food and a performance from children in the Klamath Tribes’ Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC).

The First Family then traveled to a ribbon cutting ceremony for Melita’s Hotel and restaurant, a Project Turnkey collaboration through the Oregon Community Foundation, which will provide permanent supportive housing to tribal elders ages 60 and up.

Back at the Culture and Heritage Department, a presentation was hosted on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) epidemic and the need for justice for all of the Tribal community members who fall victim to violent crimes. The Tribe also presented on the impact of the opioid crisis on their community.

The Governor and First Lady then joined the Tribe for a visit to the Wood River Wetlands, a 3,200-acre wetland at the northern edge of Agency Lake, and one of the largest freshwater wetland restoration projects in the Western United States. While visiting the wetlands, the Klamath Tribes discussed the Tribe’s efforts to protect natural and working lands and joint land management efforts with the Bureau of Land Management.

During the visit, the Governor also recorded a podcast with the Klamath Tribes Podcast. Listen to the episode here.

Note to editors: Traditionally, every March, the c’waam (Lost River Suckerfish) swims up the Sprague River to spawn. A certain snowfall at this time of year heralds the c’waam’s return, and the evening sky reveals the fish constellation (three stars in line making “Orion's Belt”) on the southwestern horizon.

Klamath traditions state that watchmen, or swaso.llalalYampgis, monitored the riverbanks to see exactly when the fish would return. The head “shaman” would then give thanks for their return. Tribal elders continue this ceremony to ensure the survival of a species, tribal traditions, and mankind. The celebration includes traditional dancing, drumming, feasting and releasing of a pair of c’waam into the river. Other annual events include the Restoration Celebration held the fourth weekend in August and the New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow.

The Klamath Tribes, the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Paiute people, have lived in the Klamath Basin from time beyond memory. Legends and oral history tell about when the world and the animals were created, when the animals and gmok’am’c, the Creator, sat together and discussed the creation of man. According to tribal sayings, if stability defines success, their presence here has been, and always will be, essential to the economic well-being of their homeland.

In 1954, the Klamath Termination Act terminated the Klamath Tribes from federal recognition despite official opposition from the Tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Approximately 1.8 million acres of reservation land base was taken by condemnation. In 1974, the Boldt Decision reaffirmed the Tribe’s Treaty Rights to hunt, fish and gather, and to be consulted in land management decisions. In 1986, the Tribes regained federal recognition, and composed a plan to regain economic self-sufficiency.