Updates from the Campus at Chemawa

On behalf of the Chemawa Indian School, thank you to the chapters and individuals who continue to support the school. Located in Salem, Oregon, the campus proudly serves as the oldest continuously operating Native American boarding school in the United States. Begun in 1880 as an elementary school, it now serves students in grades nine through 12.

The campus, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has taken on a new and critical role this year. On September 7, an unprecedented wind event accelerated the Beachie Creek wildfire, causing it to grow to more than 130,000 acres in one night and overtake the established Incident Command Center and force immediate evacuation. A new Incident Command Center was established in Salem.

With students learning remotely due to the pandemic, this allowed Chemawa Indian School to offer its facilities to host the firefighters and incident commanders. It was considered a blessing that the students’ at-home studies enabled the school to offer a comfortable resting place and a hot shower for the first responders. The school continues to provide housing assistance from anywhere, from 10 to 200 firefighters and incident commanders daily. Each dormitory floor contains a common area with television and space to relax and socialize. The number of firefighters depends on the fire situation on any given day, and the school has no idea from minute to minute the expected number until they arrive. Food and support for these brave men and women is provided by the National Forest Service and several fire agencies, as firefighters are prohibited from accepting meal donations from the public.

The mission of Chemawa Indian School is to provide opportunities for every Chemawa student to achieve success. “In so doing, we strive to maintain the highest academic standards and foster excellent educational opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Cognizant of the diversity among American and Alaska Native cultures, Chemawa shall endeavor to preserve a safe and affirmative learning environment in which caring professional staff will demonstrate their commitment, through mutual respect and input given to decision making, as mentors and role models to each student. Chemawa will strive to fundamentally and systematically administer rigorous academic programs that will challenge and reward both students and staff and facilitate the transformation of individual effort and enthusiasm into knowledge, skills and experience necessary to make choices that enrich life enabling each person to become positive contributors to their respective tribal communities and society as a whole.”

Students, educators and DAR supporters are proud of the past here and excited about the future of the school, as summed up in its Vision Statement:

On this campus we are…
One Chemawa -- Honoring our unique tribal cultures while we work as one people.
One Chemawa -- Courageously rising to every challenge.
One Chemawa -- Striving for excellence each day.
One Chemawa -- Supporting each other to achieve success.
One Chemawa -- When one of us succeeds, we all succeed.
We are Chemawa, strong and proud!