Pete Wakeland

Pete Wakeland, Umpqua and Rogue River, is the son of Norita Wakeland (Langley) and John Wakeland, Sr., the grandson of Roscoe & Rosella Langley, and the great-grandson of Joseph Leno & Hattie Holmes, and William Langley & Mary Quenelle. Pete’s immediate family includes his wife, Bonnie and his two sons, Brooks and Torey. Pete graduated from Oregon State University earning a degree in Forest Management.

After graduation, he brought his education to Grand Ronde and worked as a forester for the Tribe’s Natural Resources Department. In 1998, Pete was chosen to be the first Hatfield Fellow. As a Fellow, Pete worked in Senator Ron Wyden’s office in Washington, D.C. and he also worked with former Oregon Senator, Gordon Smith.

After his time working in Washington, D.C., Pete returned to work on behalf of the Tribe, this time as the manager of our Natural Resources Department. During his tenure, he expanded the reach of our Wildland Fire Management Program significantly. Next, Pete moved into the Executive Office. He first worked as the Deputy Director of Operations where he managed several Tribal programs and departments under the auspices of the General Manager. He went on to become the first Director of Development and Public Safety for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

After spending a considerable amount of time with Grand Ronde, Pete took his knowledge, expertise and wisdom to neighboring tribes, working first for the United Auburn Indian Community as their Tribal Administrator, and then at the Coquille Indian Tribe as manager of their natural resources department.

The next step in Pete’s career began in 2016 when he was hired as the Chief Forester of the Division of Forestry and Wildland Fire Management for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he worked on behalf of Indian Country until being elected to Tribal Council.

Pete’s commitment to natural resources, as well as to the culture and traditions of his people has never wavered. He has harvested pacific lamprey from tumwata (Willamette Falls).  He was involved in the building of the plankhouse since the very first log rolled into Grand Ronde to be split into planks. Pete enjoys attending powwows and other tribal gatherings. His hobbies include fishing, crabbing, hunting, and playing golf.