For centuries, tribes in the area now called Portland gathered at an ancient encampment called Neerchokiko for trade and community building. With colonization, that place was lost to Native people. But as of this summer, Neerchokiko is owned outright by the Native American Youth and Family Center – an accomplishment that many say fits within the Land Back movement.

Today, the 10-acre spot is home to the organization’s offices, gardens and community center. The goal is to create a permanent home for the urban Native community here – one that reflects the land’s history.

When Yakama citizen Paul Lumley joined NAYA in 2016 as CEO, the organization was deep in debt and almost had to sell the land. Three years later, NAYA prioritized “Return to Neerchokikoo,” a campaign focused on paying NAYA’s mortgage debt and renovating its buildings.

Fast forward to June 9 at 3:06 p.m., when Lumley received an email from the bank. NAYA’s mortgage was paid off in full. That afternoon, Lumley delivered the news to staff as he led his final meeting as CEO. Cheers and hugs erupted (Lumley left NAYA to take a job as CEO of Cascade Aids Project).

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful, precious place that now is permanently Native community, which I think is amazing,” Lumley said later. “The organization doesn’t have to pay rent, they don’t have to pay a mortgage — it’s theirs. This is land back.”

‘Now, it’s officially Indian Country’

The Land Back movement has been active since colonizers arrived on this continent. It gained traction and mainstream attention during the 2018 protest at Standing Rock, which sought to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Robby Burroughs is an enrolled member of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians in Northern California. He is the Holdings Managing Director for NDN Collective, an organization centered around the concept of Land Back.

In its simplest terms, Burroughs says the movement means putting the stewardship and ownership of land back in the hands of Indigenous peoples and communities. It’s a lot to accomplish, but Burrough is up for the challenge.

“For us, Land Back is any way, by any means necessary,” said Burroughs. “As long as at the end of the day, the Indigenous peoples or tribes are the ones on title to the land.”