OREGON CITY - Clackamas Community College (CCC) is partnering with the Clackamas County Indigenous Taskforce to host the lecture “Do You Know Oregon’s First Peoples? A History of the Grand Ronde Tribe,” featuring The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy.

Kennedy will discuss the history of the Indigenous communities in Clackamas County, and how we can work together to honor their strengths and contributions and celebrate the diversity of contemporary Indigenous lives and experiences.

The lecture will be Tuesday, May 9, 5:30-7 p.m. in the Niemeyer Osterman Theatre on the Oregon City campus. This event is free and open to the public.

“We are honored to have Tribal Council Chairwoman Kennedy share with us the history of The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde,” Casey Layton, CCC diversity, equity and inclusion officer, said. “It is important for CCC to offer opportunities for our community to learn about the Indigenous communities of the Willamette Valley and their history, including culture and traditions, but also the harmful government policies that affected the peoples who lived on the lands where CCC now resides. This event is intended to amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples, and move us forward together.”

Kennedy is serving her eighth term on Tribal Council for a total of 16 years. Of the 16 years, she has served 10 years as the chairwoman. She comes from a family of weavers, beaders, carvers, gatherers, fishers and hunters. Prior to serving on the Tribal Council, she had a 30-year career as a health administrator and served as the executive director of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.

To learn more and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/615299686927. For questions, email diversity@clackamas.edu.