The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs signed a formal agreement with the Coquille Indian Tribe that will provide increased resources dedicated to supporting the tribe’s veterans in accessing their earned federal and state veterans’ benefits.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on May 13 by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) Director Nakeia Council Daniels and Tribal Council Vice Chair Jen Procter Andrews.
“This agreement marks a meaningful step forward, creating space for trusted advocates who understand both the federal VA system and the unique needs of their communities,” said Daniels. “Today isn’t just about a signature — it’s about the shared commitment we’re building together to honor and serve all who have worn the uniform, and we’re proud to mark that step forward in a way that reflects the meaning of ceremony for the Coquille Indian Tribe.”
The formal signing was hosted on the tribe’s land in North Bend in a ceremony that honored both the significance of the partnership and the traditions of the Coquille Indian Tribe.
The Coquille Indian Tribe is the federally recognized Native American tribe of the Coquille people who have traditionally lived on the southwestern part of the Oregon Coast.
In 1954, Congress had declared the Coquille Tribe “terminated,” but in 1989, the tribe was restored to federal recognition. Today, they number almost 1,200 members and have regained more than 10,000 acres of their ancestral homeland.
The newly established agreement will pave the way for the establishment of the Coquille Indian Tribe’s first Tribal Veterans Service Officer (TVSO), which will be jointly funded by ODVA and the Coquille Indian Tribe to serve tribal veterans and their families.
The new TVSO will receive training from ODVA and will have accreditation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, enabling them to assist veterans and their families with accessing a range of benefits and services earned through military service.
“Tribal Veteran Service Officers play a vital role in ensuring Oregon’s Tribal veterans are seen, heard and supported — not only as veterans, but as members of sovereign nations with deep cultural roots and histories,” said Daniels.
According to the Department of Defense, more than 24,000 of the 1.2 million current active-duty service members are Native Americans.
Since 9/11, almost 19 percent of all Native Americans have served in the armed forces, compared to an average of 14 percent of all other ethnicities.
“Native Americans continue to serve at a higher rate than any other ethnic group and have enlisted to protect their lands as far back as the Revolutionary War,” said Andrews. “This partnership shows Oregon’s dedication to ensure that our veterans receive the benefits and respect they deserve, in a way that works for them. We hope this partnership is the first step towards a better relationship with the state and increased services for our vets!”
Oregon’s statewide network of County and Tribal Veteran Service Offices is a collaborative partnership between the state and counties or Tribal governments to provide free, local expertise and assistance to veterans and their families in accessing their earned benefits.
This agreement is ODVA's fifth partnership with the state’s nine federally recognized tribes. The department has previously established similar agreements with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.