Restoring Our Homeland: Return the Naselle Youth Camp to the Chinook Indian Nation!

Support SB 5247 to Restore Land, Protect Culture, and Secure a Safer Future for the Chinook Indian Nation

Why This Matters for the Chinook Indian Nation & Washington State

SB 5247 is not just about returning land—it’s about honoring the Chinook Indian Nation's history, providing a safer future for their community, and ensuring cultural preservation. The return of the Naselle Youth Camp offers a unique opportunity to both right historical wrongs and create economic growth in Southwest Washington.

The Naselle Youth Camp Task Force—composed of local leaders, state officials, and tribal representatives—unanimously recommended this action, underscoring the broad bipartisan support and political feasibility behind the bill.

Safety, Sovereignty, and Healing

  • The Chinook Indian Nation is the original steward of the lands where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, including the Naselle Youth Camp. Returning this land is not just a symbolic gesture—it is essential for the Tribe’s survival and safety. Their current headquarters sit on an island in Willapa Bay, where rising sea levels and the threat of a megaquake and tsunami pose imminent danger.

A Win for Everyone: Economic, Cultural, and Environmental Benefits

This bill has broad bipartisan support, with local and state leaders coming together to ensure that the Naselle Youth Camp becomes a hub for the Chinook Indian Nation’s cultural revival and sustainable development. Not only will the Tribe gain access to much-needed land and resources, but the return of this facility will open new doors for eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and community partnerships that benefit everyone in the Southwest Washington area.

Support SB 5247: Take Action Now!

The time to act is now. Support SB 5247 and help return the Naselle Youth Camp to the Chinook Indian Nation. This is a historic moment to show solidarity with tribal sovereignty and community well-being.

  • Contact Your Legislators: Reach out to your local legislators and urge them to support SB 5247. Let them know how important this bill is for the Chinook Indian Nation, the land, and the community.

  • Spread the Word: Share this campaign and raise awareness about the bill. The more voices we have supporting this effort, the greater the chance of success.

Support SB 5247

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  • The Chinook Indian Nation is one of many tribes that have not received federal recognition, despite a long-standing cultural and political presence in the region.
    Historically, federal recognition has been denied for political reasons, not because of the Tribe’s legitimacy. The Chinook Nation’s ancestral connection to the land is indisputable, and the Tribe continues to advocate for the preservation of its cultural heritage and rightful land claims.

  • Federal recognition is not required for the state of Washington to return the Naselle Youth Camp. The state has the legal authority to transfer the land to the Chinook Indian Nation without federal involvement.
    The Chinook Indian Nation is state-recognized and has a history of collaboration with the state on cultural programs and economic development.
    By supporting SB 5247, Washington has the chance to correct past injustices and help the Tribe restore its ancestral land, benefiting both the Tribe and the local community.

  • The Chinook Indian Nation plans to use the land to revitalize cultural practices such as language preservation, arts, and heritage education.
    Additionally, the Tribe intends to apply traditional ecological knowledge to restore and protect the land, including its fishery and forests, which are critical to their cultural identity.
    The Tribe also envisions developing economic opportunities such as eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and youth programs that would create benefits for the local community and future generations.

    The land will not only be used for cultural revitalization but also to ensure the long-term safety of the Chinook Indian Nation.

  • The Naselle Youth Camp Task Force, which includes local leaders, state officials, and tribal representatives, unanimously supported the return of the land, reflecting strong local support for the initiative.
    The Chinook Indian Nation is committed to working closely with community members and local organizations to ensure that the return of the land benefits everyone.
    The return of this land creates an opportunity for economic growth, cultural enrichment, and environmental stewardship, with positive outcomes for both the Tribe and the broader community.

  • The Chinook Indian Nation’s current headquarters are located on an island in Willapa Bay, where sea level rise and the threat of megaquake-induced tsunamis endanger their community. Securing a safer location, such as the Naselle Youth Camp, is essential for the Tribe's survival.

  • SB 5247 aligns with Washington State’s commitment to addressing historical injustices and improving tribal-state relations.
    This bill strengthens Washington’s efforts to foster tribal-state cooperation and promote economic development and cultural preservation for both tribal and non-tribal communities in the region.
    By returning the Naselle Youth Camp to the Chinook Indian Nation, the state takes a tangible step toward reconciliation and the restoration of ancestral lands.

SB 5247 aims to return the Naselle Youth Camp to the Chinook Indian Nation by 2025.

  1. The Naselle Youth Camp Task Force unanimously recommended this action, showing broad support.

  2. Cultural restoration and economic development are key goals of this bill.

  3. SB 5247 aligns with Washington State’s commitment to tribal sovereignty and healing historical injustices.

The return of the Naselle Youth Camp is a chance to right a historical wrong and ensure a safer future for the Chinook Indian Nation. This bill represents an opportunity for Washington State to demonstrate its commitment to reconciliation, tribal sovereignty, and the well-being of all citizens. Supporting SB 5247 is not only a political and cultural gesture; it’s a step toward a safer, more prosperous future for both the Tribe and the Southwest Washington community.