The Necanicum Watershed Council and the Chinook Indian Nation have entered into an MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) to jointly steward the Necanicum Watershed, located in the Chinook's ancestral Clatsop Territory. This partnership aims to combine the Chinook's extensive traditional knowledge with the council's commitment to sustainable land management. Despite the Chinook's lack of federal recognition, which has impacted their ability to fully support their community and limited their governmental influence, the council has acknowledged their sovereignty. This recognition is a significant step, especially as the Chinook, a confederation of five tribes from Washington and Oregon, continue to seek formal recognition through legislative means. They have faced additional challenges from a splinter group falsely claiming Chinook heritage, which has confused local perceptions of their rights. The Chinook have been actively working to educate the community about their legitimate history and rights to counter these misconceptions.