Oregon City has secured a significant $12.5 million state grant to collaborate with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde on the development of Tumwata Village, a transformative project situated at the historic Willamette Falls. This agreement marks a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the iconic waterfall area, navigating a landscape of intricate tribal relationships, land use disputes, and ambitious development plans.
The Vision for Tumwata Village
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde envision Tumwata Village as a place of healing, restoration, and renewed connection to their ancestral homelands. Located on a 23-acre site formerly occupied by the Blue Heron Paper Mill in Oregon City, the project aims to transform the industrial scar into a vibrant mixed-use development. Plans include public access to the falls, cultural programming, retail spaces, housing, and hospitality offerings, all designed to honor the rich history and spiritual significance of Willamette Falls. For generations, the falls served as a vital economic and cultural hub for numerous Indigenous peoples, including those who now form the Grand Ronde, a confederation of over 30 tribes and bands. The tribe’s purchase of the former mill site in 2019 was a deliberate act of reclaiming this historically significant land, nearly 160 years after their forced removal from the area following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855.
State Funding Fuels Tribal-State Collaboration
The $12.5 million grant awarded to Oregon City will facilitate the city’s work with the Grand Ronde on the Tumwata Village development. This funding underscores a commitment from the state of Oregon to support tribal-led initiatives and enhance public access to natural and cultural resources. The Grand Ronde has expressed gratitude for the allocation, noting its importance in keeping funds on the Oregon City side of the river and enabling the project to move forward with its initial phases of redevelopment.
Inter-Tribal Dynamics and Development Rivalries
This partnership occurs against a backdrop of complex inter-tribal dynamics concerning the future of Willamette Falls. Just weeks prior to Oregon City receiving its grant, the state allocated $45 million to the Willamette Falls Trust for its separate Inter-Tribal Public Access Project on the West Linn side of the falls. Notably, the Grand Ronde is not currently part of this larger initiative, having withdrawn from the Willamette Falls Trust in 2021 due to frustrations with project governance. This division has led to reported tensions between tribal groups, with the Grand Ronde expressing concerns that the Trust’s project, while presented as a return of land to tribal nations, excludes them and includes an out-of-state tribe. Governor Tina Kotek had initially considered vetoing the $45 million allocation for the Trust’s project, seeking further input from all interested parties amidst these escalating tribal discussions.
Legal Battles Over Land and Access
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation is an ongoing legal dispute involving Portland General Electric (PGE) and the Oregon Department of State Lands, centered on a five-acre parcel of land at the base of Willamette Falls. At the heart of this federal trial is a ceremonial fishing platform erected by the Grand Ronde tribes in 2018, authorized by the state. PGE, which operates a hydroelectric plant at the falls, is attempting to condemn the land, citing operational and public safety risks posed by the platform. PGE argues it needs control of the property to comply with its federal operating license. The Grand Ronde tribe, however, contends that PGE’s actions extend beyond safety concerns, suggesting the utility is using the dispute to disadvantage the Grand Ronde and potentially appease other tribes with whom PGE has business relationships. U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon is expected to issue a written decision in the case, which has seen arguments from both PGE and the Grand Ronde, with some other tribes, like the Siletz Tribe, siding with PGE and raising concerns about safety and exclusive access.
A Historic Landscape’s Future
Willamette Falls, the second-largest waterfall by volume in the United States, is a place of profound historical and cultural significance. For millennia, it was a gathering place for Indigenous peoples for fishing, trading, and spiritual practices. The extensive industrial development that followed colonization significantly limited public and tribal access. The current revitalization efforts, including Tumwata Village and the Inter-Tribal Public Access Project, represent a concerted effort to reclaim and restore this vital landscape, balancing economic development with cultural preservation and public enjoyment. The news of Oregon City’s collaboration with the Grand Ronde on Tumwata Village highlights the ongoing evolution of how this critical Oregon landmark is being reshaped, reflecting a renewed emphasis on Indigenous heritage and collaborative stewardship.
