The Hatfield Fellowship was created in 1998, in honor and recognition of Senator Mark O. Hatfield’s public service to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Each year SMCF endeavors to place the Hatfield Fellow with a Congressional Office in Washington, D.C. that represent the Pacific Northwest and the Federally recognized Tribes within the region. Past fellows have successfully served in several congressional offices over the year’s to include Congressmen/Representatives Ron Wyden, Gordon Smith, David Wu, Darlene Hooley, Earl Blumenauer, and Greg Walden.

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon established the Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship as a living tribute to Senator Hatfield.  The Fellowship is meant to honor Mark Hatfield for his accomplishments as Governor of Oregon and United States Senator on behalf of the Grand Ronde Tribe, Native Americans, Oregonians, and all Americans.  The Hatfield Fellowship is also in memory of Susan Long, who epitomized an unfathomable level of public service.

The Hatfield Fellowship will ensure that Mark Hatfield's legacy of integrity, strength, and effectiveness in public service will endure.  Each year, it will enable a Native American to serve as a member of the staff of one of Oregon's congressional delegation.  The Hatfield Fellow will serve as a liaison between the congressional member and the Tribes on issues that affect Native Americans and as a resource for the entire Oregon delegation.

In addition, the Hatfield Fellowship will seed Indian Country with capable, motivated individuals who know their way around the federal political system in Washington, D.C. and produce long-term benefits for all of the Tribes and the Pacific Northwest.

Each year Spirit Mountain Community Fund selects a Native American who is at least 21 years old, to serve as that year's Hatfield Fellow.  Preference is given to enrolled members of the nine federally recognized Oregon Tribes.  The Hatfield Fellow will serve as an advisor to his or her member on Native American issues and as a resource on Native American issues for the entire Oregon Congressional delegation.

For more information about the Hatfield Fellowship, please contact Louis King at louis.king@thecommunityfund.com.

The application deadline for the 2010/2011 Hatfield Fellowship is now closed.

For information on the American Political Science Association (APSA) please click here.

The Grand Ronde Tribe is proud to encourage the development of Native American leaders through the Hatfield Fellowship.  If you'd like more information on our past fellows please visit Hatfield Fellows - Where Are They Now? 

To see past fellowship placements, click here.