Welcome to Cowlitz Voices
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
“Cowlitz Voices” is the vision and work of a group of Cowlitz Elders to bring a visual presentation of our Cowlitz historical information, cultural knowledge, and the personal stories and voices of our tribal elders and families. There is magic and joy when we share our histories and our personal and family stories. Sharing can connect us to one another through the people, places, and remembrances we all share in common as well as providing us with information and perspective we may not have heard before.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Mission
To inform and uplift Cowlitz people everywhere through the power of storytelling, dialogue, teachings of elders, and the sharing of historical memories. As an educational forum, Cowlitz Voices will connect our tribal members with one another no matter where they live through the videos, stories, and conversations it produces. It will also serve as an enduring library to memorialize stories of the Cowlitz people.
Our Values
Our Mission
Our Values
The media outlets and guest speakers of this organization must comply with the following principles:
- All content must be factual and informative
- Platform will not be used for bullying, harassment, or slandering
- Questions and conversations shall be respectful
- Content and information shall be relevant to members of the Cowlitz people and shall be presented in an unbiased and objective way
Roy I. Wilson was born on the Yakama Reservation in 1927. His parentage was English on his mother's side and Native on his dad's.
Roy became chair of the Cowlitz Tribe in 1973, serving in that capacity when the Cowlitz land claim settlement was signed by the U.S. government. In that same era the Cowlitz Tribe began its quest for federal acknowledgement under a newly created program. Federal acknowledgement was achieved in the year 2000.
When John Barnett succeeded Roy as tribal chair in 1982, he became the Tribe's official spiritual leader. Roy served in that highly visible capacity until 2018. He was named lifetime Honorary Chief in 2002 and spent many years as chair of the Cultural Resources Board of the Tribe.
Roy made his transition to the spirit world in February, 2025, at age 97. Tribal people as well as community members remember Roy for his joyful telling of Indian legends, his wisdom, his cultural knowledge, and his warm, welcoming heart.
Cowlitz Elder Roy Wilson “The Beginning”
Cowlitz Chief Roy Wilson “My parents were young teen agers”
Cowlitz Chief Roy Wilson “My parents were young teen agers”
Wilson talks about growing up with the culture.
Cowlitz Chief Roy Wilson “My parents were young teen agers”
Cowlitz Chief Roy Wilson “My parents were young teen agers”
Cowlitz Chief Roy Wilson “My parents were young teen agers”
Wilson talks about his parents.
Cowlitz Elder Roy Wilson “My family, Who am I”
Cowlitz Chief Roy Wilson “My parents were young teen agers”
Cowlitz Elder Roy Wilson “My family, Who am I”
Wilson talks about his heritage.
Roy Wilson Cowlitz Legend Storyteller
Roy Wilson’s Bear Raven Spiritual and Cultural Center
Cowlitz Elder Roy Wilson “My family, Who am I”
Legends of the Cowlitz People.
Roy Wilson’s Bear Raven Spiritual and Cultural Center
Roy Wilson’s Bear Raven Spiritual and Cultural Center
Roy Wilson’s Bear Raven Spiritual and Cultural Center
Cowlitz Elder Roy Wilson gives you a tour of the Bear Raven Spiritual and Cultural Center. In this episode, Roy shows you his Longhouse.
Kids on the Journey
Roy Wilson’s Bear Raven Spiritual and Cultural Center
Roy Wilson’s Bear Raven Spiritual and Cultural Center
The Coast Salish tradition of Potlatching continues. Being invited to attend a Coast Salish Potlatch is an honor. Traveling as a Canoe Family, young and old, continue an ancient gathering.
Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Chief Roy Wilson
Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Chief Roy Wilson
Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Chief Roy Wilson
This video was produced for Roy's Celebration of Life Ceremony on February 22, 2025 at the tribe's Ilani Resort and Casino at LaCenter, WA. The presentation is a collection of excerpts from videos celebrating Roy.