About us
The Tribal Relations Program promotes culturally grounded, long-term, positive relationships and decision-making processes through government-to-government engagement with Tribal governments and the urban American Indian / Alaska Native community. Through the Tribal Relations program, the City is set-up to have focused and long-term strategies to work through well-established relationships with tribal nations and improve programs and services to Native people living in Portland. The program affirms and strengthens the City’s commitment to American Indian / Alaska Native people and coordinates policymaking to ensure that there is access to opportunities for a high quality of life and continuation of cultural lifeways now and for future generations.
The Tribal Relations Program advises City bureaus and Council offices on outreach to, and interactions with, Tribal governments and the urban Indian community. Likewise, the program fields requests and inquiries from Tribes and community members about engagement with the City.
For inquiries, please contact: tribal.relations@portlandoregon.gov.
Tribal Relations
Adam Becenti (Hastiin Becenti, he/him), Tribal Relations Program Manager
adam.becenti@portlandoregon.gov
Adam Becenti (Diné/Navajo) is Tsi’naa jinii, Black Streak Wood People and born for the Tsé Nahabiłnii, Sleep Rock People Clan. Becenti grew up in Gallup, New Mexico and moved to Portland 11 years ago. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Tribal relations and engagement work is critical on how government functions to ensure equitable access, inclusion, and positive outcomes for Tribes and American Indian/Alaska Native peoples. As Tribal Relations Program Manager, Adam will serve U.S. Tribal Governments and the Portland Urban Indian Community in leading and creating a vision with Tribes and Tribal community on how Portland can best serve Tribes and American Indian/Alaska Native peoples. In his spare time, Adam enjoys outrigger canoeing, being plant-forward, and sci-fi movies. He once did the haka with Maori warriors during the annual Waitangi celebration in New Zealand.