Oregon retrocedes civil jurisdiction to Confederated_Tribes_of_the_Umatilla_Indian_Reservation

United States — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed a proclamation in late May to retrocede civil jurisdiction over tribal matters back to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This action aims to undo a 1953 federal law passed by the United States that removed federal legal resources from most tribes in United States — Oregon without their consent, authorizing states to assume criminal and civil jurisdiction. The retrocession of civil jurisdiction follows previous retrocessions of criminal jurisdiction in the 1970s and 80s to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Burns Paiute Tribe. This move was enabled by Senate Bill 1011, passed unanimously by United States — Oregon lawmakers in 2025, which established a process for federally-recognized tribes in United States — Oregon to request the return of legal jurisdiction. The United States — United States Department of the Interior still needs to approve the request. This action is seen as a step towards reconciliation and affirms the sovereign status of tribal nations, restoring the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation's independent power to administer justice.