Portland appoints Gerald D. Skelton Jr. to rebuild tribal government relations after prolonged leadership turnover

Appointment announced at regional tribal leaders’ convention

The City of Portland has named Gerald D. Skelton Jr. as its new tribal government relations manager, filling a role that had been vacant for extended periods amid repeated leadership changes. Skelton began in the position on Feb. 2, 2026, and was introduced publicly the next day at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) winter convention held in downtown Portland.

City leaders described the job as central to strengthening formal, government-to-government engagement with the nine federally recognized Tribal Nations in Oregon, while also maintaining working relationships with other Native nations across the region.

Scope of the role: government-to-government consultation

The tribal government relations manager is housed within the City’s Office of Government Relations and reports to its director. The city has said the position is intended to support consultation and coordination with sovereign Tribal governments, an area that has been affected by turnover and staffing reductions in recent years.

City officials have also indicated plans to add a separate role focused on engagement with Indigenous residents and community organizations in Portland. A timeline for that additional hire has not been specified.

Skelton’s background and experience

Skelton is a citizen of the Klamath Tribes and previously served for more than 15 years as director of the Klamath Tribes Culture and Heritage Department. His work there included cultural and heritage stewardship, archaeological and museum-related activities, and negotiations related to the repatriation of ancestral remains. He has also described experience connected to energy development and work related to the Klamath River dam removal process.

A program shaped by staffing cuts and abrupt departures

Skelton becomes the fourth person to lead the city’s tribal relations function since the office was formally established in 2017. The position’s history includes resignations, a severance agreement, periods of vacancy, and at least one termination.

• Laura John served as the city’s first full-time tribal liaison from 2017 until 2023, departing with a severance agreement.
• Miranda Mishan assumed the role after John’s departure and left after several months.
• Adam Becenti was hired in spring 2024 and was terminated later that year after several months in the job.

Following Becenti’s termination, the position again went unfilled for months. The city announced plans in March 2025 to recruit a new manager, and the role was later posted as a full-time, at-will position within the Office of Government Relations.

Structural questions remain unresolved

Some Indigenous leaders have urged the city to elevate the work by creating a standalone Office of Tribal Government Relations. That structural change has not been implemented. City leadership has framed the appointment as an opportunity to stabilize the program and reestablish consistent consultation practices with Tribal governments.

City officials have described the near-term focus as rebuilding regular communication and strengthening consultation with sovereign Tribal Nations.

Skelton’s hiring places a new leader in a role that has been closely watched by Tribal governments and Native communities seeking continuity and clarity in how Portland conducts tribal consultation and intergovernmental engagement.