How you can keep Warm Springs residents safe from COVID-19

Since time immemorial, tribal members have honored and protected this landscape. Central Oregon LandWatch's work is deeply rooted in the long-term land ethic of those who have always protected this land. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic, residents of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon - especially those without shelter - are in need of supplies to ensure their health and safety. Please consider supporting a volunteer effort by Pandemic Partners Bend to collect donated supplies in Bend and distribute them to members of our tribal community.

You can help by donating essential items like masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, disinfecting spray, toilet paper, etc. Houseless residents need tents, sleeping bags, tarps, outdoor showers, travel towels, etc.

Click the button below to sign up to donate, and you will receive an email with instructions for where to drop your donations. The next round of supplies will be sent on Friday, June 19th.

You may also send a financial contribution to the Warm Springs Community Action Team, which is a community-led non-profit dedicated to helping people build financial independence and small businesses in Warm Springs.

In 1855, Joel Palmer, superintendent for the Oregon Territory, received his orders to clear the Indians from their lands. He did so by negotiating a series of Indian treaties including the one establishing the Warm Springs Reservation. Under the treaty, the Warm Springs and Wasco tribes relinquished approximately ten million acres of land, but reserved the Warm Springs Reservation for their exclusive use. These tribes, along with the Northern Paiute, who were forced from their homeland, now form the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Source: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Photo of the Lower Deschutes River courtesy of BLM.

Thank you for all you are doing to keep your loved ones and our community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.