Category: Recent News

The Implementation Project at the 25th Session of the United Nations permanent forum on Indigenous Issues

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This article was originally published on the website of The Implementation Project, a joint initiative of the Native American Rights Fund and Colorado Law to advance education and advocacy regarding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Vice Chair Procter Andrews discussed the Coquille Indian Tribe’s groundbreaking passage of their Indigenous Determinants of Health Ordinance, which provides a framework for ensuring that the Tribe’s governance and external relations advance the health and well-being of Tribal citizens. 

Native American Rights Fund – June 1 – 2026

For the water from the heart

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CHARLESTON, Ore. — A centuries-old dugout canoe fragment discovered near Oregon’s South Coast is now on public display, offering a rare window into Indigenous history and culture along the region’s waterways.

In 2015, a dugout canoe fragment that the Coquille Indian Tribe says dates back to as early as the 18th century was discovered near Sunset Bay State Park in Coos Bay. The fragment is now on display at the South Slough Reserve Visitor Center in Charleston.

KPIC – April 30, 2026

Coquille Citizen Kiana Younker Named Native Performing Arts Network’s First Artistic Director Fellow

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Younker will line produce ANTÍKONI by Beth Piatote at The Vault Theater in Hillsboro, Ore.

Native Performing Arts Network has chosen Kiana Younker as its first Artistic Director Fellow. A descendant of Kitzn Jin jn Ghallahd-a-lu’ee (Miluk Coos) and Gishgiu (Upper Coquille), Younker is a citizen of the Coquille Indian Tribe. In addition to studying and pursuing arts management, Younker is a performer whose artistic practice includes dance and choreography.  

Broadway World – April 22, 2026

North Bend Art Walk melds indigenous culture while showcasing artists of all ages

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NORTH BEND — First-time events often earn an “A” for effort, but North Bend’s debut 2025 Community Art Walk proved no amateur attempt, earning state honors for its efforts to revive the city’s downtown. The award, the 2025 Oregon Excellence on Main’s Outstanding Promotional Event, is one of several given as part of the Oregon Main Street program, which works for community revitalization and includes more than 100 communities in its network.

Now, the city of just over 10,000 is ready to host round two from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 10, with a list of events melding art with local culture, history, and industry, and showcasing artists of all ages.

“North Bend hadn’t had a downtown association or program for many years,” said Stephanie Wilson, executive director of North Bend Main Street. The town signed up with the state Main Street program about four years ago, tapping Wilson as lead in developing the North Bend downtown as a “vibrant and inviting hub that seamlessly blends its historic charm with modern growth.”

Oregon Arts Watch – April  7, 2026

Coquille Indian Tribe Awarded Oregon Heritage Grant to help create exhibit for centuries-old canoe fragment

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A true team effort is bringing a story to life on Oregon’s South Coast. One that has been hundreds of years in the making.

The Coquille (Ko-Kwel) Indian Tribe has been awarded a $7,500 Oregon Heritage Grant to assist in a $15,000 project that will design and construct a permanent exhibit for a traditional dugout canoe fragment discovered near Sunset Bay State Park. The Coquille Indian Tribe worked closely with the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Oregon Department of State Lands, and South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve are part of this cooperative project.

The artifact, believed to date from the 18th or 19th century, offers physical evidence of Indigenous life along Oregon’s southern coast and will be housed at the South Slough Reserve Visitor Center in Charleston. 

Coquille Indian Tribe Chairman Brenda Meade said this is a great example of tribes working together to accomplish something of tremendous importance for all.

Full Press Release – March 10, 2026

Coquille Indian Tribe to break ground on new Travel Center

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The Coquille Indian Tribe announced plans to break ground this spring on a new Travel Center that will expand services for guests, create jobs, and strengthen the Tribe’s long-term economic future.

Planned along Highway 101 directly across from Ko-Kwel Casino Resort | Coos Bay, the new Travel Center will provide easy access for travelers moving through the region while complementing the Tribe’s existing hospitality and entertainment destinations.

Coquille Indian Tribe Press Release – February 24, 2026

KMTR – February 25, 2026

KVAL – February 25, 2026

KOBI – February 28, 2026

Pechanga.net – February 28, 2026

Indian Gaming Magazine – March 3, 2026

The World Newspaper – March 5, 2026

25th year Coquille Tribe distributes Community Fund grants

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Since 2001, the Coquille Tribal Community Fund has now distributed just under $9 million to over 1,075 grant projects. On Feb. 5, another $95,000 in funds were distributed through to a total of 28 recipients for grant projects spread throughout five southwestern Oregon counties.

These grant funds from the Coquille (Ko-Kwel) Indian Tribe will help organizations fund projects in five categories: health, arts and culture, education, environmental, public safety, and historic preservation.

Full Press Release

The World Newspaper – February 10, 2026

Siuslaw News – February 19, 2026

Blending Science and Indigenous Knowledge to Tell an Estuary’s Story

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A new study of nutrient levels in soil cores supports oral Indigenous history, informing future estuary restoration efforts.

When the first salmon return to Oregon’s Coquille River in the spring, thousands of fish congregate, and an important ceremony for the Coquille Indian Tribe (CIT) unfolds.

“You come out and you welcome them,” said Jason Younker, former Coquille Indian Tribe chief and assistant vice president of sovereign government-to-government relations at the University of Oregon. Neighbors share the first salmon of the season, and fish bones are returned to the river. “We’re giving thanks. And if you give thanks regularly and with intent, then you’re less likely to abuse the resources that are there in front of you,” said Younker. …

Eos.org – December 23, 2025

James Beard Public Market’s place in downtown Portland will have a touch of Coquille Tribe

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Organizers of the project to build a public market in downtown Portland released new renderings of the space on Tuesday, ones they say represent an evolving vision informed by the location’s history.

The James Beard Public Market will fill a 40,000 square-foot space, occupying the ground floor of the historic Selling Building at the corner of Southwest 6th and Alder, as well as three floors of the connected Market Building. Organizers say it will include lumber sourced from the sustainably managed timberlands of the Coquille Tribe.

Yahoo! News – January 27, 2026