On behalf of the Office of Tribal Affairs within the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), and the We Are Here Oregon Native Employees Resource Group (WAHONE), we honor Monday, October 9th,2023 as Indigenous People’s Day. As Tribal members and Indigenous people, we are pleased to see the momentum build through positive energy and uplifting of Indigenous voices throughout the State of Oregon.
The Nine Tribes of Oregon and Tribal communities throughout the state represent many cultures, customs, and languages that have contributed to the rich history and diversity of Oregon. Indigenous People’s Day calls for a time to honor and value those contributions with accurate historical representation. On this day and moving forward, it is important to acknowledge all of Oregon is still Indigenous land and that we must do our part in learning about Tribal sovereignty among the Nine Tribes of Oregon. The State of Oregon has a government to government relationship with the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon which we continue to honor, respect, and maintain. Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity to uplift Indigenous/Tribal voices inside and outside of work, educate yourself on Tribal history, respect the Indigenous land you live on, and connect with the Indigenous and Tribal employees at ODHS.
The Office of Tribal Affairs and WAHONE want to celebrate and honor Indigenous Peoples Day not just today but every day. Normalizing the inclusion of and amplifying Indigenous and Tribal voices and culture helps our agency move closer to the Equity North Star and produce healthier outcomes for Indigenous/Tribal children, families, and elders. Our hope for today and onward is that you spread this message far and wide among all ODHS Staff.
The Office of Tribal Affairs and WAHONE extends this honoring to all people at ODHS who may identify as Indigenous. This includes Latinx, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, and Asian Pacific Islander. I challenge you to learn more about all Indigenous People as you celebrate this state recognized holiday in your own way.
The ODHS WAHONE Employee Resource Group exists to recruit and retain Native employees and improve the delivery of human services to Native clients, families, and communities through tribal best practice, on-going human and technical assistance, mentoring, community engagement, and educational efforts.
The Office of Tribal Affairs works with all five ODHS programs to create and provide Tribally appropriate programming, services, policies, and support. Through Tribal consultation with Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes, ODHS ensures programming, services, and policies meet the needs of Oregon Tribal communities. For more information visit our website.
Thank You,
Adam Becenti (Navajo/Diné)
Director, Office of Tribal Affairs