Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson paid a much-anticipated visit to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde last Friday, diving into a day-long exploration of the Tribe's advancements and cultural resurgence. The Governor has pledged to visit all nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon throughout 2024, with the Grand Ronde community marking a significant stop on this journey of outreach and connection.
During the visit, Kotek praised the tribe's efforts in a statement, “The First Lady and I had a wonderful day with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde,” She was particularly moved by the grand opening of the Tribe's Public Health Building, a facility aimed to fully serve the Grand Ronde community's health needs. Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy noted the importance of such visits in strengthening governmental bonds. “A healthy government to government relationship between the Governor and Oregon’s Tribes is critical to addressing the issues we face,” she said according to an official state release.
Kotek's experience kicked off at the Chachalu Tribal Museum and Cultural Center, which honors the Tribe's history and cultural endurance. The educational aspect of the visit continued as the Governor and First Lady toured the Chinuk Wawa Immersion Building, observing a unique hands-on learning environment where kids K-6 are immersed in the Chinuk Wawa language, a cornerstone of tribal heritage. This visit highlighted the Tribe's dedication to restoring and maintaining its linguistic legacy.
Addressing another fundamental need, housing, Governor Kotek also got a firsthand look at the homeownership initiatives set forward by the Tribe, which included the development of 20 residential lots in the first phase of their homeownership strategy on McPherson Road, as well as the energy-efficient Creekside Elders Housing development. Such efforts were showcased to not only present new housing opportunities but to also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability by the Tribal Council. Governor Kotek's day concluded with a dinner hosted at Spirit Mountain Casino, where she and the First Lady met and dined with Tribal Council members and CTGR staff, cementing relationships and shared visions for the future.
