# Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation

The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of primarily Lower Chehalis and Upper Chehalis people located in Washington state. The tribe governs the Chehalis Reservation, which is located along the Chehalis and Black rivers in the vicinity of Oakville, Washington.

## History

The name "Chehalis" derives from c̓x̣íl̕əš, the name of principal village of the Lower Chehalis people and what is today Westport, Washington. The name, which means "sand", originally only replied to that village and its inhabitants. After colonization, it became the name of the Chehalis River and a collective term to refer to both the Upper and Lower Chehalis peoples living along it as a whole. The traditional territory of the Lower and Upper Chehalis peoples included the Chehalis River and its tributaries, including the Black, Cowlitz, Elk, Johns, Newaukum, Satsop, Skookumchuck, and Wynoochee rivers.
The Upper and Lower Chehalis people were never party to any ratified treaty. In 1864, a 4,224.63 acres (17.10 km$^2$) reservation was formally established by executive order for the Upper and Lower Chehalis peoples in 1864. On October 1, 1866, another executive order opened up 3,753.63 acres (15.19 km$^2$) to homesteading by non-Native settlers. 471 acres (1.91 km$^2$) of the total reservation lands were retained for schooling. Another section of the reservation was taken into public domain by the federal government on November 11, 1909.
The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation was formally established through the creation of its constitution and bylaws on July 15, 1939.
In 1906, the population of the tribe was 149. In 1984, the population had grown to 382. In 2020, the total amount of enrolled citizens was 978.

## Government

The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation is governed by the Chehalis Community Council. All eligible Chehalis voters can participate in the Community Council. The Chehalis Community Council is responsible for enforcing tribal ordinances, as well as electing a Business Council, which manages the administration of the tribes, its properties, and its assets.
The tribe's headquarters are in Chehalis Village, Washington. The existing constitution and bylaws were ratified on July 15, 1939.

### Chairmen

As of November 2022, Dustin Klatush serves as the current Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis.
Past chairmen include:
* Harry Pickernell Sr. (2017–2023)
* Don Secena (2015 -2017)
* David Burnett

## Reservation

The Chehalis Reservation ranges 4,438 acres (17.96 km$^2$), and is home to more than 600 American Indians. The reservation was first established in 1860 for the Lower and Upper Chehalis people. Originally 4,224.63 acres (17.10 km$^2$) larger, 3,753.63 acres (15.19 km$^2$) of land was distributed to non-native settlers in 1866 via Executive Order. An additional 471 acres (1.91 km$^2$) was given to schools. By 1906, fewer than 150 Chehalis people remained on the reservation and a 1984 survey found the population to be 382.

## Economy

The Chehalis Tribe owns and operates Lucky Eagle Casino, Eagle's Landing Hotel, Grand Buffet, Scatter Creek Grill, Prime Rib and Steakhouse, Sidewalk Deli in Rochester, Washington, the Great Wolf Lodge Resort and Talking Cedar Brewing in Grand Mound, Washington. It also owns three convenience stores, a fast food restaurant, two construction companies, and a cigarette stamping business. The tribe employs 1,498 people.

## Language

English has become the common spoken language of the Tribe. Traditional languages include the Upper Chehalis and Lower Chehalis languages, which are derived from the Quinault languages of the Tsamosan branch of the Salish language family. The last native speaker of the Upper Chehalis language died in 2001.