To the editor:
Recent news stories about the Willamette Falls Trust and a $45 million state grant paints a picture of tribal tensions and controversy. But that narrative overlooks a more powerful truth — the Willamette Falls Trust is a story of enduring Tribal histories and traditions, inspiring collaboration toward a shared goal of public access and connection to a sacred site.
At its core, this effort is about partnership. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, along with other tribal nations and community partners, have been working for years to build something meaningful — not just for our own communities, but for all Oregonians and the entire region. This work isn’t always easy, but it reflects a shared commitment to honoring the land, our histories, and our collective future.
Gov. Tina Kotek’s potential veto of the state grant now threatens to upend years of positive momentum and collaboration to restore access to the Falls in a meaningful way for tribal communities for ongoing traditional practices and the viewing pleasure of all who live in or visit our region.
For the Siletz people, the value of shared purpose runs deep. Collaboration has always been central to our story.
The very existence of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is rooted in collaboration. Our ancestors signed treaties throughout western Oregon, agreeing to confederate as Tribes. In 1855 the Siletz Reservation was created, as the order says: for the “Coast, Willamette and Umpqua Tribes.”
Three days later, it became federal policy to bring the Rogue Valley Tribes to the Siletz Reservation. When our federal recognition was terminated by an Act of Congress, it wasn’t just our own members who fought for restoration. Tribes across Oregon, Washington (and beyond) stood with us, and in 1977, that solidarity and unity in purpose helped us restore federal recognition of our Tribe. We’ve carried that spirit forward in gratitude and humility ever since.
Today, you can see that collaborative spirit in projects across the state. Through partnerships with local and state governments, we’ve advanced efforts in environmental restoration and formalized agreements to prioritize mutual respect with other entities. We also serve on the board of the Willamette Falls Trust, contributing to its mission of public access and cultural preservation.
Willamette Falls is sacred. It is a place of gathering, ceremony, ongoing traditions and memory for many tribes – including ours.
The work of the Willamette Falls Trust has been collaborative from the outset, seeking to reflect the diverse voices and histories associated with this site. The vision is not one of exclusion or competition, but of inclusion — one where the stories, heritage, and contributions of many tribal nations are honored and shared.
This is not a zero-sum project. It is a shared opportunity to heal, restore, and reconnect with a place that holds deep meaning for all of us. Our support for the Willamette Falls Trust reflects our belief that these values must lead the way.
True collaboration is not always neat. It takes time, trust, and willingness to engage across differences. But it’s what our ancestors did, and it’s what we owe to future generations. The partnerships we build today, whether in affordable housing, environmental stewardship or cultural restoration, can become the foundation for decades of cooperation.
State funding and support for the Trust aren’t just good policy; it’s a unique opportunity to show how we honor our ancestors and create a future for our children, and their children.
Protecting grant funds provided by the legislature and supporting meaningful collaboration at Willamette Falls will ensure they may be visited and enjoyed by future generations for many years to come.
- Robert Kentta/Siletz.
- Kentta is the Tribal Council treasurer for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the Siletz Delegate to the Willamette Falls Trust.
