The Cascades Region of the Red Cross is proud of our growing partnerships with our Tribal partners. When disaster strikes, the Tribal Governments lead the responses. The Red Cross responds alongside their emergency management leadership to help provide for those who are impacted.
“Working in cooperation with Tribal Nations to strengthen their internal resiliency means the Red Cross is providing the materials, training, resources, and collaborative partnerships needed for native communities to lead their own response and recovery efforts” said Jillian Attaway, the Tribal Liaison for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation responding to 2026 Wildfires.
As wildfires burn record breaking acreage across the region, Red Cross Disaster Relief Responders visited both the Burns-Paiute Reservation and the Warm Springs Tribal Native Lands in Eastern Oregon. The visit was two-fold. First to see what they needed in response to the current fires, but these visits were also about preparing for the next disaster.
On these most recent visits, Red Cross provided clean up kits, pet crates, pet food and supplies, blankets, and close to 100 stuffed animals collected by Red Cross partners Sisters Citizens4Community, Antioch Church in Bend, and Bend Church UMC.
“Opening shelters to assist those impacted by a disaster is likely the most visible impact of a Red Cross response to a disaster,” Attaway noted, “but it is our consistent behind-the-scenes work with Tribal Emergency Managers and Tribal leaders before disasters strike a community that make our collective response to a disaster seamless and effective.”
“By supporting Tribal sovereignty and self-governance, the Red Cross helps ensure Tribes have the capacity and confidence to independently open and operate a shelter when needed,” said Morgan Schmidt, Executive Director of the Central and Eastern Oregon Chapter of the Red Cross. “It is important that we work at their direction as they maintain control over the decisions that best serve their communities.” Schmidt is currently serving a dual role as the Partner Mobilization Coordinator of the Red Cross response to 2026 wildfires.
Resiliency also means ensuring every Tribal member has a place in the response. This includes preparing shelters to support individuals with intellectual, developmental, and emotional differences, as well as providing pet kennels, leashes, food, and other supplies so community members do not have to choose between their safety and the safety of their animals.
By planning alongside Tribes and addressing these needs before a disaster strikes, Red Cross helps create a response system that is inclusive, culturally responsive, and built around the strength and self-determination of each Tribal community.
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