Kathryn Jones Harrison

Kathryn Jones Harrison (born 1924) is a leader of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon.[1]

Kathryn Jones Harrison
Born1924
Alma mater

Early life and education

Kathryn May Jones was born in 1924. Her parents died from an influenza pandemic was she was ten years old. She was abused in foster care in Buxton, Oregon, before she attended Salem's Chemawa Indian School.[1] During the 1970s, she enrolled at Lane Community College's School of Nursing.[1]

Career

After graduating from Lane, she worked at Lincoln City Hospital. She lived near the Siletz Reservation and was elected to serve as secretary of the Tribal Council.[1] In 1976, she testified before Congress, advocating for federal tribal recognition. She returned to Grand Ronde to advocate for tribal status, which was granted in 1983. She has been credited for helping to pass the Reservation Restoration Act of 1988 and establishing Spirit Mountain Casino.[1]

Personal life and recognition

She married Frank Harrison, a classmate from Chemawa. The couple had ten children.[1]

She received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Portland State University and was named Alumna of the Year by Lane Community College.[1][2] She has also been named an Oregon History Maker by the Oregon Historical Society.[3]

On June 10, 2021, the superintendent of the Corvallis (OR) School Board recommended that Jaguar Elementary (formerly Jefferson Elementary) be renamed Kathryn Harrison Elementary. [4] A naming ceremony took place at the school on May 5, 2022, with Kathryn in attendance. [5]

Bibliography
  • Olson, Kristine (2005). Standing Tall: The Lifeway of Kathryn Jones Harrison, Chair of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community. Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN 9780295985824.

See also

References
  1. Olson, Kristine. "Kathryn Harrison (1924- )". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  2. Karten, Ron (January 14, 2013). "Kathryn Harrison to receive honorary degree". Smoke Signals. Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  3. Karten, Ron (September 12, 2012). "Oregon Historical Society to honor Kathryn Harrison". Smoke Signals. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  4. "School Name Recommendations Submitted to School Board".
  5. "Event to honor Kathryn Harrison postponed".
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