Tribal members on a canoe. Photo from Clatsop-Nehalem Tribe

The Chinook Nation of Washington is opposing federal recognition for the Clatsop-Nehalem Tribe of Oregon.

The Chinooks say the Clatsop people are part of their nation. They argue that the Nehalem are an entirely different tribe.

“To have a group just come out of nowhere is a little bit disturbing," Chinook Nation Vice Chair Sam Robinson told The Longview Daily News.

Leaders of the Clatsop-Nehalem Tribe don't see things that way. They believe both tribes can co-exist without stepping on each other's toes.

H.R.5215, the Clatsop-Nehalem Restoration Act, was introduced on July 28. It restores the tribe to recognition by rescinding a 1954 termination law that applied to tribes in Oregon, including the Clatsop and the Nehalem.

The Chinook of Oregon were also listed in the termination law. They have tried to regain recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs but were rejected by the Bush administration in 2002.

Get the Story:
Quest for federal recognition puts regional tribes at odds (The Longview Daily News 10/8)
Recognition move by Oregon tribe stirs Chinook concerns (The Chinook Observer 10/7)

Related Stories:
Bill introduced to extend recognition to Clatsop-Nehalem Tribe (08/20)
Radio: Chinook Nation challenges federal recognition proposal (07/02)
Chinook Nation preparing for another federal recognition battle (06/25)

Washington tribes could get another shot at federal recognition (06/02)
Chinook Nation looking for support on federal recognition bill (11/28)