Statement from Tribal Council Chairman, Gary Johnson:

"We are the people who hosted the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the winter of 1805-1806. They lived on foods belonging to our people. Since that time, we have lost our land and our tribal recognition by the U.S. government. We need to have our tribal status reinstated.

"We need people to know the Chinook story and what happened, and the difficulties that our families have faced over all the 200 years since Lewis and Clark made their famous voyage to our country.* This education about Chinook history is important so that we can build support in making the changes that need to occur. I would really like others to know the Chinook people and the elders who have lived traditionally and tried to maintain the culture. They're a strong people, a soft-spoken people, and really a caring people, who opened their arms and helped the newcomers to this area and they continue to act that way, with gracious hospitality.

"It's also important that the story be told about what happened to the land, and how people in my father's generation, my grandmother's generation, were taken and sent to Indian schools and that people understand the government policy that went along with this—'kill the Indian, save the child.' These were really tough times for people to live through and to try to maintain their culture and try to maintain their family connections. Also, as a result of Chinook people being pushed off traditional lands, many people went to other reservations in western Washington and western Oregon.

"There are Chinook people who would like to come back to our traditional lands. Of course we need to have a land base. We want to work towards economic development and offer folks jobs. As we have something to offer people, as we have more and more employment opportunities, we think these families will return."