Chinook Indian Nation Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Unrecognized Tribes Like The Chinook In SW Washington Struggle Without Federal Help In Pandemic

By Eilís O'Neill April 18, 2021

Tony Johnson is chair of the Chinook Indian Nation, a federally unrecognized tribe. He stands on a Willapa Bay, Wash., beach, where he got married and not far from where his ancestors lived. CREDIT: Eilis O'Neill/KUOW

The Indian Health Service has been lauded for the success of its vaccination campaign. But not every Native American got to be part of that. Tribes that aren't recognized by the U.S. government have received none of the resources directed to Indian Country to help them survive the pandemic.Read More

Chinook Tribe Back In Court On Long Quest To Regain Federal Recognition

By Tom Banse January 5, 2020

The Chinook Indian Nation gather outside a federal courthouse in Tacoma to rally support for federal recognition. CREDIT: MOLLY SOLOMON

The decades-long quest of Chinook tribal members to regain federal recognition gets another airing in court on Monday. A U.S. District Court judge is scheduled to hear oral arguments on cross-claims for summary judgment in a lawsuit brought by the tribe against the Department of the Interior.Read More

Chinook Nation Moves Closer to Federal Recognition As Judge Advances Claim

By Molly Solomon June 21, 2018

The Chinook Indian Nation gather outside a federal courthouse in Tacoma to rally support for federal recognition. CREDIT: MOLLY SOLOMAN - OPB

A U.S. District Court judge in Tacoma has ruled that seven of eight claims brought by the Chinook Indian Nation will move forward. It’s a victory for the tribe, which has been fighting for recognition for more than a century.Read More