40th annual celebration marks four decades since the Klamath Tribes regained federal recognition in 1986
CHILOQUIN, Ore.— The Klamath Tribes welcome Tribal members, neighboring communities and visitors to Chiloquin for the 40th Annual Klamath Tribes Restoration Celebration, August 21–23, 2026. This year marks 40 years since the Klamath Tribes regained federal recognition in 1986, restoring our status as a federally recognized sovereign Tribal Nation following the Termination Era.
Restoration activities kicked off Thursday with the Restoration Smudge Walk & Sticker Shock event. The celebration continues throughout the weekend with the Restoration Powwow, parade, health and wellness activities, stick games, softball tournament, cultural activities and specials. The Klamath Tribes invite everyone to join us as we celebrate 40 years of Restoration and honor our people, culture, lands, Treaty rights and continued sovereignty.
Restoration Powwow | August 21–23
The 40th Annual Klamath Tribes Restoration Powwow will be held at goos olgi gowa, 35601 Chokecherry Way, Chiloquin, Oregon. The three-day gathering will feature contest dancing, intertribals, Tiny Tots, specials, royalty, stick games and more.
Friday, August 21: Dance and drum registration opens at 5 p.m., with Grand Entry at 7 p.m., followed by invocation, the Flag Ceremony, intertribals, Tiny Tots, the MMIP Honor and Acknowledgment, contest dancing and outgoing royalty specials. Colors will retire at 11 p.m.
Saturday, August 22: Dance and drum registration opens at noon, followed by Grand Entry at 1 p.m., invocation, royalty crowning, intertribals, Tiny Tots and Junior, Golden Age, Teen and Adult contests. Colors will retire at 5 p.m. for the dinner break. Stick game activities begin at 6 p.m., followed by the evening Grand Entry at 7 p.m. The evening session will include intertribals, the Golden Age Contest, the Jack Weiser Memorial Men’s Old-Style Grass Special, additional contest dancing and specials. Colors will retire at midnight.
Sunday, August 23: Grand Entry begins at noon, followed by invocation, intertribals, Tiny Tots and finals for all contest categories. Sunday will also feature Powwow Committee specials. Colors will retire at 5 p.m., with winners announced following the finals.
Powwow Information: Henry Rondeau, 541-783-2219
Vendor Information: Charise Rich, 541-274-1168
Powwow Specials | August 21–23
Specials are an important part of Restoration Powwow, and this year include specials hosted by outgoing Klamath Tribes Restoration Royalty, Tribal families, and the Restoration Powwow Committee.
Friday evening, August 21: Outgoing Restoration Queen Scarlett Schroeder will host an Iron Woman Jingle Special for ages 15–21. The winner-take-all special will take place during the Friday evening powwow session following the 7 p.m. Grand Entry.
Outgoing Restoration Junior Princess Shirleen Norwest will host a Junior Girls Traditional Second Song Special during the Friday evening powwow session. The special will feature Double Beat, Crow Hop and Sneak Up.
Outgoing Restoration Little Warrior Blue Parrish will host the Good Medicine Special for Junior and Teen Grass dancers during the Friday evening session. The special honors Blue’s journey hiking the peaks within the 1864 Klamath Peak-to-Peak boundary to pray for the land and his people. First place will receive $300, second place $200, and third place $150, with a gift for all participants.
Saturday evening, August 22: The Jack Weiser Memorial 18+ Old Style Men’s Grass Special, sponsored by the Jack Weiser family, will take place during the Saturday evening powwow session following the 7 p.m. Grand Entry. The special honors Jack Weiser’s love and passion for Old Style Grass dancing. First, second, and third place winners will receive cash and a star quilt.
Sunday, August 23: The Restoration Powwow Committee will host two specials during Sunday’s powwow session following the noon Grand Entry. The Men’s Original Style Traditional Special is a $300 winner-take-all contest honoring the men and warriors who helped restore the Klamath Tribes’ Treaty rights.
The Women’s Basket Cap Root Digger Special is also a $300 winner-take-all contest. Basket cap relatives are invited to bring their umda, or root digging tool, as the special honors the skalapsh and the traditional cultural practices represented through basket caps and root digging.
Powwow Contest & Special Information: Henry Rondeau, 541-783-2219
Restoration Parade & Grand Marshal | Saturday, August 22
The annual Klamath Tribes Restoration Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Second Street in Chiloquin. The Klamath Tribes are proud to announce Rose M. Treetop as Grand Marshal of the 40th Annual Restoration Parade. Rose is a Klamath Tribal Elder who dedicated 38 years to serving her people as a Tribal employee and member of the Klamath Tribes Tribal Council. She is also a member of the Steiger Butte Singers and has carried a lifelong devotion to family, culture, service, and community.
Treetop’s selection as Grand Marshal honors nearly four decades of service to the Klamath Tribes and the lasting contribution she has made. The community is invited to line the parade route and help us honor Rose Mary as we celebrate 40 years of Restoration. Parade Information: Steven Cole, 541-783-2219 ext. 163
Health Row & Restoration Walk/Fun Run | Friday, August 21
Health Row and the Restoration Walk/Fun Run will take place at the Chiloquin High School parking lot, 300 Elm St., Chiloquin. Health Row and Walk/Run registration open at 9 a.m. The Walk/Run photo lineup begins at 11:15 a.m., runners begin at 11:20 a.m., and walkers begin at 11:25 a.m. Recognition, prayer, and lunch will follow at noon. Health Row Information: Tahnie Clark, 541-363-6813, tahnie.clark@klamathtribalhealth.org Walk/Fun Run Information: Aislyn Ukpik, 541-851-3513, aislyn.ukpik@klamathtribalhealth.org
Stick Games | August 21–22
Stick game activities will be held at goos olgi gowa. Friday activities include an Adults vs. Kids Shootout beginning at 5 p.m., followed by the Youth Tournament at 7 p.m. Stick game activities continue Saturday evening as part of the Restoration Celebration.
Co-Ed Softball Tournament | August 22–23
The 40th Annual Klamath Restoration Co-Ed Softball Tournament will be held at 828 W. Chocktoot Street in Chiloquin. Games begin Saturday, August 22 at 8 a.m. and continue Sunday, August 23 at 9 a.m. The weekend also includes a men’s and women’s home run derby. Softball Tournament Information: Kaneeta Benson, 541-238-4492
Restoration Royalty
The 2025–26 Klamath Tribes Restoration Royalty are Restoration Queen Scarlett Schroeder, Restoration Junior Princess Shirleen Norwest, and Restoration Little Warrior Blue Parrish. Crowning of the new Restoration Queen, Junior Princess, Warrior, and Little Warrior will take place Saturday, August 22, during the afternoon powwow session. Royalty Information: Candi Uses Arrow, 541-238-6446
Free Transportation During Restoration Weekend
The Klamath Tribes Quail Trail Bus will be available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Quail Trail transportation is open to the public. Transportation Information: Ron Hugulet, 541-783-2219 ext. 134, or Michelle Carson, 541-783-2219 ext. 175
40 Years of Restoration
In 1954, Congress terminated the federal recognition of the Klamath Tribes. Despite Termination, the Treaty of 1864 and the rights reserved by our ancestors remained intact.
In 1986, after decades of work by Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Paiute people, the Klamath Tribes successfully regained federal recognition and restored our status as a sovereign Tribal Nation. Forty years later, Restoration is more than an anniversary. It celebrates our survival, sovereignty, Treaty rights, and the generations who ensured the Klamath Tribes would continue.
The Klamath Tribes welcome everyone to Chiloquin to celebrate 40 years of Restoration.
