Oregon Governor, Tribal Leaders Finalize Early Learning Plan and Fund at Coos Bay Summit

At the 2025 Tribal-State Government-to-Government Summit, held at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort in Coos Bay on October 8, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed HB 2815, the Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund Bill.

Tribal Government Meets With Oregon Governor To Conclude Tribal Learning Plan & Fund Bill

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Tribal government leaders/senior staff from the nine federally recognized sovereign Tribes in the state met at the annual summit, co-hosted by the Coquille Indian Tribe, to address critical shared issues through government-to-government collaboration and consultation.

Governor Kotek said. “While others are busy building walls, we gathered to build bridges and grow our relationships.”

The event featured space for discussion, connection, and reflection, as well as a bill-signing ceremony titled “From Words to Actions.” HB 2815, shaped through a multi-year process, reflects the visions and priorities of the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon and was developed in partnership with DELC to ensure young children have access to stable resources and brighter futures.

HB 2815 was shaped through a multi-year, Tribal-led process rooted in self-determination and government-to-government collaboration. It reflects the visions and priorities of the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon and was developed in partnership with DELC to ensure young children have access to stable resources and brighter futures.

HB 2815 was shaped through a multi-year, Tribal-led process rooted in self-determination and government-to-government collaboration. It reflects the visions and priorities of the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon and was developed in partnership with DELC to ensure young children have access to stable resources and brighter futures.

The government-to-government collaboration was a Tribal-led process rooted in self-determination. HB 2815 will support experiential early learning and child care, primarily by increasing supports for Tribal children from prenatal through age eight, and by promoting and revitalizing Native American language and culture, ensuring access to cultural resources and curriculum in early learning spaces.

The Tribal Early Learning Fund provides Tribes with flexible access to early learning resources and strengthens Oregon’s government-to-government relationships.  It establishes the Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance (OTELA) in place of the current Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) and clarifies DELC’s rulemaking authority.

The Office of Tribal Affairs at DELC will continue to provide support for implementing the plan and funding.  More information is available on the DELC website.