Following approval by the Roseburg School Board on June 10, Roseburg Schools and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians are expanding their partnership through a series of initiatives designed to strengthen educational opportunities, celebrate Tribal culture and language and invest in the future of local students and families.

The partnership includes support for the Roseburg High School Sports Complex, a new Takelma language credit program for students and continued collaboration through Oregon's Tribal Attendance Promising Practices (TAPP) program.

Together, the initiatives reflect a shared commitment to student success, cultural preservation and community investment.

"The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians has been an extraordinary partner to our schools, our students and our community," said Roseburg Schools Superintendent Jared Cordon. "These efforts demonstrate what is possible when we work together with mutual respect and a shared vision for the future. We are deeply grateful for the Tribe's leadership, generosity and commitment to helping our students thrive."

“One of the pillars by which the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe makes decisions for our next seven generations is the idea that educational pathways create healthy, independent and fulfilling lives,” said Cow Creek Umpqua Chairman Carla Keene. “Our youth in this community are our future, and Roseburg Schools has always been an extraordinary caretaker of the young people in this community, equipping them with the life skills they need to succeed. Partnering with Roseburg Schools on these initiatives and learning from their leadership will be a transformational step forward for our youth, providing them with the best possible tools and opportunities to develop self-respect, teamwork, fortitude and curiosity.” 

As part of the partnership, Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe has committed $500,000 over 10 years to support improvements and ongoing maintenance of the RHS Sports Complex, including annual funding for athletic facility improvements and student learning opportunities beyond athletics.

The district and Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe are also establishing a Takelma language proficiency pathway that will allow students to earn high school world language credit by demonstrating proficiency in the Tribe's ancestral language. Students who meet established proficiency standards may also qualify for Oregon's State Seal of Biliteracy. The agreement supports Tribal language revitalization efforts while creating new educational opportunities for students.

In addition, Roseburg Schools and the Tribe continue to collaborate through the Tribal Attendance Promising Practices (TAPP) program. Roseburg Schools is one of just nine districts in Oregon selected to participate in the state-supported initiative, which focuses on improving attendance, strengthening connections between schools and Tribal families, and creating culturally responsive supports that help Native students succeed academically and socially. The program emphasizes partnership between school districts and Tribal governments to address barriers to attendance and strengthen student engagement.

Together, these efforts reflect a growing partnership grounded in respect, collaboration and a shared commitment to future generations.