“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.
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.
The media outlets and guest speakers of this organization must comply with the following principles:
Roy Irwin Wilson, Honorary Chief, Former Tribal Chairman and Spiritual Leader, Ordained Minister of the Gospel, July 17, 1927 - February 11, 2025
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.
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.
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.
Cowlitz Matriarch Juanita Van Mechelen talks about her family and growing up on Black Lake near Olympia Washington.
The Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014 (GWE) was a pivotal fight to provide funds for tribal members. Then Cowlitz Chairman Bill Iyall was there and tells us the story.
A traditional gathering for the Cowlitz People along the Cowlitz River in Washington State. The small fish, a Smelt, is starting to come back into the Cowlitz River decades after the eruption of Mt St Helens. That series of eruptions dumped ash into the Toutle and Cowlitz Rivers destroying all of the spawning beds for the fish. Prior to European contact, the Smelt helped nourished the Cowlitz People during the harsh winter months in-between Salmon runs. Now the Cowlitz People, through these Tribal events, are beginning to find their way back!
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 Elder Juanita Van Mechelen teases us with her sage humor as the first video on her "series of conversations" debuts on CowlitzVoices.com.
Cowlitz Elder Bill Iyall talks about his family.
Former Cowlitz Chairman Bill Iyall talks about the political struggle and how the Cowlitz Reservation came to be.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cowlitz Reservation. The Public Hearing was held on February 15, 2006 in Vancouver, WA.
"Healing Through Unity" This is a story of about a "paddle" and the Coast Salish people that participated in the 2003 Tribal Journeys, "Paddle to Tulalip".
Cowlitz Spiritual Leader Tanna Engdahl speaks about the struggles the Cowlitz People endured during the early 1800's.
Roy Wilson - Legends of the Cowlitz People.
The History of the Cowlitz Tribe of Indians - Part 1. Tribal historian Mike Iyall talks about the Hudson's Bay Company and the Cowlitz People.
The History of the Cowlitz Tribe of Indians - Part 2. Tribal historian Mike Iyall talks about Land Claims, Recognition, Litigation and the Vancouver Treaty Council.
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