Governor Tina Kotek announced that she is reestablishing the Task Force on Oregon Tribal Cultural Items

Eugene, OR – According to the state officials, the task force was first created in 2017 to obtain information relating to cultural items currently held in storage or on display at Oregon state agencies, state universities, colleges, and public schools.

In 2019, Oregon was the first in the nation to report its survey findings of tribal cultural items, but the task force’s work has been paused since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The task force will consider a process for soliciting information from state public institutions and agencies about items they may have in storage or on display associated with Oregon Tribes.

It will also develop next steps for determining the provenance, the appropriate custodian, and the appropriate storage or display of such items.

The task force will submit an annual report to the Governor beginning in 2025.