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Above: Tumwata (Willamette Falls)
In 2021, the Oregon State Legislature voted to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day. In doing so, Oregon joined 10 other states in recognizing the significant contributions that Native Americans have made to the U.S. — and more specifically, the contributions of Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes to the culture of this state. The Willamette Valley, specifically, is home to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and a thriving Native American culture.
Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations. The Oregon state legislature passed a bill on May 18, 2021, declaring the second Monday of October to be Indigenous Peoples Day, replacing Columbus Day.
We invite you to explore these resources to expand your understanding of the history of our land and the culture of our Indigenous community. In our modern-day culture, land is largely seen as a commodity — this was not always the case. We hope this exploration expands your awareness and enriches our community.
October 14, 2024
Free admission to honor Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Explore a traditional art collection focused on Northwest tribes with an emphasis on tribes from Oregon and more specifically the Willamette Valley.
The Indigenous Marketplace team will host an Indigenous Arts Festival on Oct. 5-6, 2024, in the city of Gresham; this celebrates Native American art and artists with an art fair, storytelling, musical performances, and more. And on Oct. 14, an Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration will take place in Portland.
Indigenous Now will host an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Oct. 14, 2024, in Salem's Riverfront Park. The free, five-hour event will include children's activities, speakers, dancers, and more.
Wenix Red Elk, the Education Outreach Coordinator for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), shares the specifics and preparation of First Foods like salmon, deer, elk, camas bulbs, biscuitroot and huckleberry.
Join a conversation on Indigenizing Theology with Dr. Randy Woodley (Keetoowah Cherokee), Co-Creator and Co-Sustainer of Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice, and Erna Kim Hackett Founder of Liberated Together.
Follow the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde on Instagram
Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice (website)
Zenger Farms (website)
Native American Student & Community Center (website)
Indigenous Food Sovereignty Movements Are Taking Back Ancestral Land (article)
Can Bridging the Gap Between Landowners and Farming Tenants Help Improve Soil Health (article)
