In a recent New York Times profile, Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp Perez reiterated her commitment to putting people ahead of ideology, her marquee “right to repair” legislation, and her support of rural, working class communities. Now, she needs to honor her promise to her Chinook constituents in Washington’s Third Congressional District by introducing the Chinook Indian Nation Restoration Act of 2024.
Championing federal recognition for the Chinook is an opportunity to ensure our community has the resources we need to repair ourselves after centuries of abuse and neglect. By introducing the Chinook Restoration Act of 2024, Congresswoman Glusenkamp Perez will not only begin to fulfill her October 2022 campaign promise but take a meaningful step toward repairing the relationship between the federal government and our indigenous people here at the mouth of the great Columbia River. Federal Recognition is more than the official acknowledgement of a tribe’s sovereignty by the federal government: it’s an opportunity to access resources that can help our community break harmful cycles and find ways to heal from the multi-generational trauma inflicted by the federal government. For instance, while we have ancestors and family members who experienced the cultural, physical, religious, sexual, and mental abuse of the boarding school era first-hand, we have no access to Indian Health Service and other resources guaranteed to recognized tribes. We also lack resources to protect critical infrastructure and our most vulnerable citizens from the dangers of sea-level rise and an impending megaquake and tsunami.
Aside from cultural healing, providing federal resources to the Chinook would in turn strengthen the local economy for all residents by sustaining local hospitals, supporting regional infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and increasing the housing supply. And, a federally recognized Chinook Indian Nation means a healthier environment and enhanced natural resources, which will help support our local production economy. That’s why federal recognition for the Chinook has broad, bipartisan support from local elected and nonprofit leaders, all our neighboring tribes, and tens of thousands of Americans. And, during the 2022 midterm elections, both candidates, Joe Kent and the now-congresswoman, voiced their support for a recognized Chinook Indian Nation. In fact, she committed to “champion [federal recognition] as a Member of Congress” and acknowledged that, “federal recognition of the Chinook Indian Nation will have a positive impact on the local economy, health care, housing availability, and public safety of rural Southwest Washington.”
It’s time for the congresswoman to live up to her commitment and show once and for all that the United States will honor the many commitments and promises made to our ancestors here at the mouth of the Columbia River. For nearly two centuries, the federal government has consistently failed the Chinook Indian Nation, the people who valiantly aided the Lewis and Clark Expedition, helping keep its members survive when they spent a long winter in our homelands.
In a time of great division and dysfunction, Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp Perez has an opportunity to use her power in Washington, D.C. to break this cycle by immediately introducing legislation to restore our recognition while taking nothing more from us. Our Chinook people have given up far too much already and her legislation will substantially improve the lives of our 3,000-plus members and our extended families without harming anyone. Further, it will provide a much-needed boost to the local economy that will benefit all residents of our lands on both sides of the mouth of the Columbia River.
Congresswoman Glusenkamp Perez: Chinook restoration is your opportunity to fight for rural Washington, to support working-class people, and to combat the federal government’s dysfunction. Introduce the Chinook Indian Nation Restoration Act of 2024 now.
