Who Are the Grand Ronde?
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR) comprises descendants of over 27 tribes and bands from western Oregon and beyond, with approximately 5,600 enrolled members headquartered in Grand Ronde, Oregon. This diverse confederation includes peoples speaking Athabascan (Rogue River, Umpqua), Penutian (Kalapuya, Molalla), and other language families. The reservation was established in 1857, terminated in 1954, and restored in 1983. CTGR represents one of the most successful tribal restoration stories, rebuilding from termination's devastation to become a major economic and cultural force in Oregon.
Termination and Restoration
The 1954 Western Oregon Termination Act ended federal recognition for Grand Ronde and other Oregon tribes—one of the most destructive federal policies in Indian history. Termination eliminated tribal land, healthcare, education, and governmental status. Grand Ronde members scattered; cultural continuity seemed impossible. The 1983 Grand Ronde Restoration Act reversed termination, but the tribe began with no land and minimal resources. The restoration generation rebuilt from scratch—reestablishing governance, acquiring land, and revitalizing culture. This 30-year termination gap profoundly affected cultural transmission.
Chinuk Wawa Revitalization
CTGR leads efforts to revitalize Chinuk Wawa (Chinook Jargon), the Pacific Northwest trade language that became the lingua franca of the Grand Ronde reservation. With ancestral languages from dozens of peoples now extinct, Chinuk Wawa represents shared heritage. The tribe's language program has trained new speakers; immersion education serves children. A Chinuk Wawa dictionary was published in 2012. This creative approach—revitalizing a shared trade language rather than dozens of separate ancestral tongues—offers a model for multi-tribal language preservation.
Contemporary Grand Ronde
Modern Grand Ronde has achieved remarkable economic success. Spirit Mountain Casino, opened in 1995, generates substantial revenue—the tribe has donated over $100 million to Oregon nonprofits through its Spirit Mountain Community Fund. The tribe has reacquired over 11,000 acres, including traditional sites. The Chachalu Tribal Museum and Cultural Center preserves heritage. Programs address education, healthcare, and housing for members scattered by termination. How Grand Ronde balances the heritage of 27+ original peoples while building unified tribal identity shapes this restored confederation's future.
References
- Lewis, D. G. (2009). "Termination of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon"
- Zenk, H. B. (1990). "Kalapuyans" (Handbook of North American Indians)
- Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. (2012). Chinuk Wawa Dictionary