FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 7, 2025
Contact: Courtney Neubauer, courtney.neubauer@klamathtribes.org ; 541.576.4458
The Klamath Tribes Walk Out of Oregon Tribal-State Government-to-Government Summit
CHILOQUIN, Ore.— Today, the Klamath Tribes walked out of the Oregon Tribal-State Government-to-Government Summit after delivering a formal statement to state officials and the staff of Governor Tina Kotek, who was absent from this important meeting. The statement highlighted ten major unresolved issues that the State of Oregon has repeatedly failed to address.
The decision to leave the summit came after years of unfulfilled promises, one-sided consultations, and a lack of meaningful action from state agencies.
The Klamath Tribes issued a statement outlining the ongoing violations of the 1864 Treaty, the ecological collapse of their homelands and fisheries, and the state’s interference in water rights adjudications. They also highlighted the persistent disregard for Tribal sovereignty by various State departments. The Tribes emphasized that the Government-to-Government process has become more symbolic than substantive, resulting in little accountability or progress concerning the issues that continue to harm Klamath people, their lands, and resources.
Chairman William E. Ray, Jr. stated, “The State has ignored our Treaty, dismissed our sovereignty, and failed to act on the harm it continues to cause. We came here in good faith, but we will not sit quietly while the State continues to disrespect our people, our land, and our laws.
Walking out was not an empty gesture; it was a statement that the Klamath Tribes will no longer accept words without action.”
The Klamath Tribes reaffirm their commitment to protecting Treaty-protected resources, sovereignty, and the rights of all Tribal citizens. The Tribes are calling for direct and immediate engagement with Governor Kotek and her Cabinet to address these longstanding violations through concrete, government-to-government action.
The Klamath Tribes Tribal Council in attendance In-person: Chairman Ray Jr., Councilmember Les Anderson, Councilmember Shawn Jackson and Councilmember Brandon Tupper. The Tribal Council attending virtually as a demonstration of solidarity with our other leadership was Vice- Chairman Marvin Garcia, Secretary Joseph Allen Jr., and Councilwoman Willa Powless.
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Courtney Neubauer, Interim Public Relations Director
courtney.neubauer@klamathtribes.org 541.576.4458
William E. Ray Jr., Klamath Tribes Chairman
wray.council@klamathtribes.com (541) 783-2219
About The Klamath Tribes
The Klamath Tribes’ primary mission is to “protect, preserve and enhance the spiritual, cultural and physical values and resources of the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Peoples by maintaining the customs of our ancestors.” The heart of Tribal life is centered in Chiloquin, Oregon, and includes 12 Departments, Health Clinic, Childcare Center, Tribal Court, goos oLgi gowa Center, Research Station, and three tribal enterprises. The Klamath Tribes’ 12 departments facilitate service delivery to multiple aspects of tribal life, including health and fitness, education, economic development, social services, cultural preservation, natural resource protection, and more.
About The Klamath Tribes Economic Development Committee
The KTEDC is elected by the Klamath Tribes General Council, which includes all eligible voters enrolled in Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin Band of Snake Indians. The committee is a semi autonomous arm of Tribal Government for the purpose of assisting the Tribes and its members in attaining self-sufficiency, to further economic and resource development of the Tribes, and to create independent sources of income and employment through the acquisition, establishment, and operation of Tribal business ventures and other income-producing activities
