"Stop This Crime": Chinook Tribe Struggles to Recover 'Neglected' Remains

The Struggle for Repatriation and Recognition

The Chinook Indian Nation, one of the oldest Indigenous groups in the Pacific Northwest, continues to face a deep-seated challenge in reclaiming the remains and sacred objects of their ancestors. These items sit on museum shelves across the country, locked away without a clear legal path for descendants to bring them home or properly bury them. For the Chinook, this issue is not just about cultural heritage—it’s about identity, justice, and the right to honor their past.

Chinook Indian Nation Chairman Tony Johnson has spoken out about the ongoing struggle, describing it as a "crime" committed against his people at the mouth of the Columbia River. He emphasized that the Chinook have lived in the region for over 10,000 years, making them the original inhabitants of the area. However, despite this long-standing presence, they have been excluded from federal policies designed to return ancestral remains and sacred objects to their rightful descendants.

Johnson expressed initial hope when the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was passed in 1990. This law required museums, federal agencies, and institutions to return Native American remains, sacred objects, and cultural artifacts to their descendants. However, he quickly discovered that the Chinook were being overlooked within this system.

Despite their active participation in repatriation efforts, changes to NAGPRA introduced by the Biden administration have further complicated the situation. While the new rules aim to expedite the return of culturally unaffiliated remains and grave goods, they also create barriers for tribes like the Chinook, which are not federally recognized. According to Johnson, even if an institution identifies an object as belonging to the Chinook, they cannot legally return it unless the tribe is officially recognized.

The Chinook were granted federal recognition in 2001 but lost that status just 18 months later under the Bush administration. Since then, the nation has fought for decades to regain recognition, a process that remains unresolved. Without federal acknowledgment, the Chinook are unable to claim their ancestors’ remains or cultural artifacts, even when they are clearly linked to their heritage.

Johnson explained that the problem lies in the way the law is structured. “Chinook’s ancestors have sat on those shelves of museums and institutions, not culturally unaffiliated, but culturally unaffiliated with a federally recognized tribe,” he said. This gap in the law leaves the Chinook vulnerable to losing their heritage to other tribes or institutions that may claim cultural affiliation.

While neighboring tribes have helped in some repatriation efforts, the Chinook remain legally barred from participating in the process. Johnson pointed out that there have been instances where other tribes or individuals have claimed items that clearly belong to the Chinook. “And Chinook does not have the power to stop that,” he said.

To address this issue, Johnson is calling on Oregon and Washington legislators to introduce a recognition bill that would enable the return of ancestral remains and sacred objects to the Chinook. He emphasized that federal recognition is the only solution his people will accept. “If you want to wash away the stain of the Western Oregon Termination Act, you have to recognize Chinook,” he said.

The senatorial delegation from Oregon and Washington has been urged to take action, not only to prevent further complications with NAGPRA but to rectify a historical injustice. Johnson stressed that the Chinook are not asking for special treatment—they are simply seeking the same rights and protections afforded to other federally recognized tribes.

In response to these concerns, KOIN 6 News reached out to Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as Washington Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray. A spokesperson for Wyden’s office stated that his staff has met with Chinook officials and is consulting with counterparts in Washington to find the best path forward.

For the Chinook, the fight for recognition and repatriation is more than a legal battle—it is a deeply personal and cultural struggle. As they continue to advocate for their rights, they hope that lawmakers will take meaningful steps to ensure that their ancestors are finally given the dignity and respect they deserve.