One of the most influential, respected, and tireless tribal leaders in Oregon history, Kathryn Harrison has walked on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the age of 99.
Kathryn was born in Corvallis in 1924 her mother, Ella, was of the Eyak people of Alaska and her father, Henry, was of the Mollala people. Her grandparents were George A. Flemming Sr. and Elena Kal’Tane and Billy Jones and Philomene Nellie Jones. Her name honored her great-great-aunt, Molalla Kate.
She was known for her efforts to restore Native American Tribal status, working for years to overturn the Termination Act of 1954, which took federal recognition from 61 tribes in Oregon.
As a child Kathryn was orphaned when both parents passed away from a flu epidemic, she went on to be in an abusive foster care environment before graduating from Chemawa Indian School in Salem in 1942.
She married Frank Harrison and had 10 children before enrolling at Lane Community College. In the mid-1970s, she became the first Native American graduate of Lane’s nursing program and worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene and then Lincoln City Hospital.
She returned to Grand Ronde in 1980 with Restoration experience under her belt, having helped the Siletz Tribe secure federal recognition in 1977. By 1982, Kathryn was a lead community organizer for the Grand Ronde Restoration effort, mustering support for federal recognition and convincing opposition groups of the inherent justice of Restoration. Working closely with Mark O. Hatfield and Les AuCoin, she saw the Reservation Restoration Act passed in 1988.
Kathryn was elected to the Grande Ronde tribal council continuously from 1984 through 2001 (she never lost an election), also served as chairman of the council and trusted and revered counselor for many years.
In 1995 she helped establish both the Spirit Mountain Casino and the Spirit Mountain Community Fund.
Because of her service to her tribe and Indian Country, Kathryn received many honors in her lifetime.
In 2012, she became the first Native American recipient of the Oregon History Makers honor awarded by the Oregon Historical Society, which recognizes those positively shaping the history, culture and landscape of the state.
She also received honorary degrees from Portland State University in 2003, the University of Portland in May 2013 and Willamette University in Salem in May 2014.
Most recently, the Corvallis School District renamed one of its elementary schools after her in May 2022.
“We haven’t reached our potential yet, and we probably never will in my time and I hope that is true,” Kathryn said about the Grand Ronde people in 2001. “I think for our children we are leaving the right tools for them to follow and to use.”
At the time of her passing, Kathryn was the oldest tribal member at the age of 99. That distinction now passes to Lorene Belle Smith, who is 98.
The public is invited to attend a memorial luncheon in honor of Harrison at 10 a.m. June 4 at Spirit Mountain Casino, niece Lisa Watson said.
Kathryn Harrison’s public memorial will be streamed at www.grandronde.org for those who are unable to attend the event at Spirit Mountain Casino.
Information about Kathryn Harrison’s life and achievements for this blog were sourced from Smoke Signals, The Oregonian, University of Portland, Statesman Journal and Wikipedia.
The public is invited to attend a memorial luncheon in honor of Harrison at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 4 at Spirit Mountain Casino, niece Lisa Watson said.
Kathryn Harrison’s public memorial will be streamed at www.grandronde.org for those who are unable to attend the event at Spirit Mountain Casino.
