The state’s nine federally recognized tribes will now have the authority to create and oversee their own early learning initiatives thanks to a historic bill passed by Oregon lawmakers. A major step toward enhancing tribal self-determination and promoting government-to-government relations is House Bill 2815, which is currently pending the governor’s signature and establishes a Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund as well as the Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance.
The bill directly addresses the shortcomings of earlier initiatives, particularly HB 2055 (2021), which sought to establish a Tribal Early Learning Hub. Tribal representatives, however, discovered that the hub model restricted their capacity for self-determination and placed administrative burdens on them. By removing the need for middlemen, HB 2815 simplifies the procedure by enabling the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to distribute funds to tribes directly. This modification supports the idea of direct government-to-government relations and is in line with Governor Tina Kotek’s budget priorities.
“It’s imperative to send up words of respect and appreciation for our ancestors who did foundational work to get us to where we are today,” said Julie Siestreem, Tribal Council member of the Confederated Tribes of Coos Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. “The state hasn’t always upheld our right to self-determination. This bill is a step towards extending Tribal Sovereignty. A dedicated fund is needed to move the needle in the right direction – towards centering and respecting Tribal ways of knowing what’s best for our children.”
“We believe that HB2815 will continue to build on the clear impacts we saw from HB2055. We are excited about the development and implementation of the Tribal Early Learning Plan, and the positive effects we hope to see throughout our Tribal community. HB2815 creates another important step towards the goal of self-determination, and we are pleased to see continued support in that journey,” Siestreem added.
The bill is the culmination of a multi-year, tribal-led process, developed with the support of all nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon. The plan emphasizes experiential early learning and childcare, language revitalization, and ensuring access to cultural resources and curriculum for tribal children from prenatal through age eight.
Paulina Whitehat, DELC Tribal Affairs Director, highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the initiative: “This initiative was developed by the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon through a multi-year, Tribal-led process grounded in self-determination and government-to-government collaboration in close partnership with DELC, to ensure our youngest children have stable resources and brighter futures.” Whitehat added that the bill “represents a powerful example of what respectful governance can achieve.” Supporters believe that this updated approach, coupled with dedicated funding, will be crucial in advancing the state’s early learning goals and addressing disparities faced by tribal communities. The flexible funding can be utilized by each tribe to expand access to culturally relevant classroom materials, preschool and childcare services, tribal language immersion programs, and caregiver education programs, among other initiatives.
Angela Fasana, Education Director of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, underscored the bill’s importance: “The Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund is a critical and vital next step for centering Tribal sovereignty in the early learning system.” Alissa L. Lane, CTSI Education and Cultural Programs Director, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Investing in our youngest of learners allows for a strong foundation of lifelong learning, this bill does just that.”
The passage of HB 2815 marks a pivotal moment, reflecting Oregon’s commitment to tribal self-determination and culturally relevant support for its youngest citizens.
