Intergovernmental Tribal Relations

The City of Eugene recognizes and supports the sovereignty of tribal governments and is working on developing and improving our government-to-government relationships with local tribal nations. This effort is supported by Eugene’s Human Rights Municipal Code (EC 4.613-4.655) and City Council’s commitment to creating a welcoming and safe community for everyone (City Council Resolution 5174 and City Council Resolution 5148). By developing these intergovernmental relationships with local tribal governments, we hope to create a foundation of shared values and connections that allow us to collaborate on shared interests. The city organization is committed to this work and has established an Intergovernmental Tribal Relations team within our organization to support these efforts. 

 

Learn about the City’s Interim Land Acknowledgement Statement

The City of Eugene’s interim Land Acknowledgement Statement (LAS) is a formal statement that is intended to recognize, respect, and appreciate the land and Indigenous people and tribes that have lived and continue to live and work in the Willamette Valley and surrounding lands. It aims to build greater awareness of the history that led to today, recognize the sovereignty of local tribal nations, and reinforce the City’s commitment to equitable relationships and ongoing action to support truth-telling, repair, and reconciliation. The Statement may be used at City-led events or meetings and on City documents.


Our interim Land Acknowledgement Statement will evolve as we build relationships with, and listen to local tribal nations, and learn more. 

City of Eugene Interim Land Acknowledgement Statement (updated June 8, 2022)

Since time immemorial, the Kalapuya people have been the Indigenous stewards to our region building dynamic communities, maintaining balance with wildlife, and enacting sustainable land practices. A land acknowledgement is a way of resisting the erasure of Indigenous histories and to honor Native communities by inviting truth and reconciliation. Following treaties between 1851 and 1855, Kalapuya people were dispossessed of their Indigenous homeland by the United States government and forcibly removed to the Coast Reservation in Western Oregon. As we consider the impacts of colonization, we also acknowledge the strength and resiliency of displaced Indigenous people. The City of Eugene is built within the traditional homelands known as Kalapuya Ilihi. Kalapuya descendants are citizens of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, they continue to make contributions in our communities here and across the lands. We express our respect for the inherent political sovereignty of all federally recognized Tribal Nations and Indigenous people who live in the State of Oregon and across the nation.

Learn More

Oregon Map of Tribal Locations

Contact Us

  1. Melissa Cariño

    Multicultural Liaison


    Email