Always Indians and the Path to Federal Status, featuring Sam Robinson

The Clark County Historical Museum will host Always Indians and the Path to Federal Status on Thursday, November 5, 2026, featuring Sam Robinson, longtime Chinook Indian Nation Tribal Council member and advocate for Chinook history, culture, and federal recognition. Part of the museum’s Speaker Series in recognition of National Native American Heritage Month, the presentation will examine the enduring history of the Chinook people, their relationships with the United States, and the ongoing effort to regain federal recognition. How does a people maintain their identity, culture, and community through generations of change, challenge, and perseverance? Drawing on his family history and decades of service to his community, Robinson will explore Chinook history before European contact and the relationships between the Chinook people and the United States that have shaped the Nation’s experience over time. Robinson, a descendant of Lower Chinook leadership, brings a personal perspective to the history of the Lower Columbia River and the continued work of the Chinook Indian Nation. Attendees will learn about the challenges and successes that have shaped the Nation’s pursuit of federal recognition, a longstanding goal in its efforts to secure acknowledgment and justice for its people.