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Culture & History

The story of the Grand Ronde Tribe is a story of a people’s resilience, a people’s relationship to place, and a people’s perseverance through their culture. As a tribe, the responsibility to tell our history and our own story lies with ourselves and no one else.

Cheryle A. Kennedy, Chairwoman
The Grand Ronde Community Today

The Tribe’s vision is to be a Tribal community known as caring people, dedicated to the principles of honesty and integrity. The Tribe is committed to the responsible stewardship of human and natural resources while striving to be a community willing to act with courage in preserving tribal cultures and traditions for future generations.

Over 30 Tribes and bands from western Oregon, northern California, and southwest Washington comprise the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, including the Kalapuya, Molalla, Chasta, Umpqua, Rogue River, Chinook, and Tillamook. The federally-recognized Tribe is located in western Oregon, where it has a 11,500-acre reservation in Yamhill County, though its activities take place across its ancestral homelands.

A nine-member Tribal Council, elected by the Tribe’s voting membership, governs approximately 5,400 enrolled tribal members.

Our Culture

Explore the rich heritage, resilience, and enduring lifeways of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Here, we honor our ancestral lands, language, and traditions, and share stories of strength through times of profound change and adversity. From the lifeways that shape our community to the pivotal treaties and historic events that mark our journey, this space offers insight into the cultural heart of Grand Ronde. Join us in remembering the past, celebrating the present, and carrying our legacy forward.