Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe Re-Elected to Intertribal Timber Council Board
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians (CCBUTI) was one of six Tribes reelected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Intertribal Timber Council (ITC) during the organization’s annual business meeting held in conjunction with the 2026 ITC Symposium in Menominee, Wisconsin.
Established in 1976, the Intertribal Timber Council is a national organization dedicated to advancing the management and protection of Tribal forest resources while promoting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination in natural resource management. The ITC serves as a collective voice for Tribes on forestry and land management issues, advocating for policies and programs that strengthen Tribal stewardship of trust resources.
CCBUTI’s continued representation on the ITC Board reflects the Tribe’s longstanding leadership in Indian forest management and its role as a leading advocate for Tribal self-governance and implementation of the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act (ITARA). Through its innovative forestry program and commitment to Tribal sovereignty, the Tribe continues to help shape national conversations on the future of Tribal resource management.
“Our re-election to the ITC Board reflects the respect and trust that Tribal forestry leaders across the country have in the work being done at Cow Creek Umpqua,” said Jason Robison, Land and Resources Officer for CCBUTI. “We remain committed to advancing Tribal self-determination, strengthening self-governance authorities, and ensuring that Tribes have the tools and resources necessary to manage their forests and trust assets according to their own values and priorities.”
CCBUTI staff played a significant role throughout this year’s symposium. Robison led a focused work session on Indian self-determination and self-governance, highlighting opportunities for Tribes to expand authority over trust assets and natural resource management. He also participated in a panel discussion examining strategic partnerships with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the benefits those partnerships can provide to Tribal conservation and stewardship efforts.
Wade Christiansen, Silvicultural Forester for the Tribe, presented on CCBUTI’s ongoing work in the Elk Creek Watershed, sharing lessons learned from restoration projects, forest health initiatives, and watershed management efforts that support long-term ecological resilience.
Deputy Director of Forest Management Jake Gibbs also attended the symposium, participating in discussions with Tribal forestry professionals, federal partners, and natural resource leaders from across Indian Country.
Looking ahead, CCBUTI will host the Intertribal Timber Council Symposium in 2031 at Seven Feathers Casino Resort. The event will bring together Tribal leaders, forestry professionals, policymakers, and resource managers from across the nation and provide an opportunity to showcase the Tribe’s commitment to
sustainable forestry, natural resource stewardship, and Tribal self-governance.
“The Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe has long believed that healthy forests, strong partnerships, and Tribal sovereignty go hand in hand,” Robison said. “We are honored to continue serving on the ITC Board and look forward to welcoming our colleagues from across Indian Country to Seven Feathers in 2031.”
