"Anyone who has traveled the 152-mile stretch of the Columbia in a small boat or canoe from Bonneville Dam to Fort Clatsop knows of the dangers at any time of the year. Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their Corps were especially vulnerable.

Who knows what the outcome of this journey might have been had Chinook tribal members not aided the Corps? The Chinooks traded with them, helped them at Dismal Nitch and through the hard winter of 1805-06 at Fort Clatsop on the Oregon shore.

It’s time to return the favor as the Chinook Nation seeks federal recognition as a tribe. The current quest has been going on for two and a half years, according to tribal chairman Ray Gardner of Raymond.

This may be the year, with U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, giving it a massive push in his last year in Congress before retirement. “I would feel tremendous pride in seeing passage of this bill as part of the legacy of the Third Congressional District,” Baird said. “This is an injustice we have a chance to right. It’s important to me to correct the injustice before I leave.”"

Get the Story:
Tom Koenninger: Chinook have earned recognition (The Columbian 1/20)

Chinook Recognition Bill:
H.R.2576: Chinook Nation Restoration Act

Related Stories:
Chinook Nation optimistic on federal recognition (7/16)
Audio: House hearing on federal recognition bills (7/15)
Washington tribes clash on federal recognition (7/15)
Witness list for hearing on four recognition bills (7/14)
House hearing on four federal recognition bills (7/13)
House panel tackles more federal recognition bills (7/8)
Chinook chair eyes recognition in three years (6/23)
Editorial: It's time to recognize the Chinook Nation (5/27)
Chinook Nation to lobby for recognition in DC (5/26)
House bill introduced to recognize Chinook Nation (5/22)
Editorial: Move quickly on Chinook recognition (1/29)