The Chinook Indian Nation are the original people who lived in the ancestral homelands where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. They hold their sovereignty as a way to honor their ancestors and their land, which includes the Naselle Youth Camp.

The Naselle Youth Camp is a natural place to headquarter the Chinook Indian Nation and ensures everyone wins. It's on their ancestral land and not currently being used. Owning this facility will change the trajectory of their community and the futures of their families. No one should stand in the way of this transfer that is good for the Chinook Indian Nation and the greater Southwest Washington community.

It is imperative that the Chinook Indian Nation secures a new headquarters for the safety of their community. Their current headquarters sit on an island in Willapa Bay, where sea levels and the threat of an impending megaquake and tsunami continue to rise.

It is time for our government to prioritize rural Washington, including the Chinook community. Supporting the return of the Naselle Youth Camp is a way to demonstrate the state’s commitment to the well-being of all citizens, regardless of their location.

By signing this petition, I am expressing my support for the Chinook Indian Nation's acquisition of the Naselle Youth Camp. Establishing a new headquarters will provide safety, stability, and a brighter future for their community. I urge Washington officials to take action and right the wrongs of the past by returning the Naselle Youth Camp to its rightful owners.