The Cape Arago lighthouse, Gregory Point Chief’s island and the surrounding 24 acres of are back in the right hands.

When the Coast Guard transferred ownership of the Cape Arago lighthouse to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw in a formal ceremony last Saturday, it was more than a simple land deal.

For the tribes, it was a bit of their ancestry returned.

The Gregory Point Chief’s island, the lighthouse and surrounding 24 acres aren’t of much use to the federal government anymore. The facility is a landmark to area residents, that’s certain. But the lighthouse was only built about 150 years ago. Tribal ancestors have called that land home for hundreds of years.