American Indian Law Practice Group Assists First Step Toward Inter-Tribal Restoration Project for Sacred Spaces at Willamette Falls

Related Practice: American Indian Law

The American Indian Law Practice Group supported Willamette Falls Trust (the “Trust”) in obtaining a Feasibility and Cooperation Agreement with Portland General Electric. The Agreement will allow the Trust to assess portions of PGE’s property next to the Falls on Moore’s Island, to study and consider the rehabilitation of the Island for an inter-tribal project: the Willamette Falls Inter-Tribal Access Project.

This Inter-Tribal Public Access Project aims to create spaces for the public to gather near Willamette Falls, Oregon; the second-largest waterfall in North America.

“Our vision is to secure public access to Willamette Falls that is free, inclusive, and brings healing to this sacred place for the many generations to come,” said Robert Kentta, Chair of the Willamette Falls Trust and Siletz Tribal Member. “This Agreement marks an important first step toward elevating the cultures and lifeways of the many Indigenous people with connections to the land and water that have sustained us for millennia. It will give all people a deeper sense of place in this incredible cultural landscape.”

Since 2015, the Trust has focused on creating public access to Willamette Falls and represents the decision-making entity for the many Tribes connected to this sacred place.  The non-profit’s Board of Directors includes representatives from four tribes with extensive cultural, legal, and historical ties to the Falls: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.  The Tribal Leadership Committee holds seats for other federally recognized Tribes with interests and connection to the Falls.

The Island subject to this Project is on the West Linn side of the Willamette River, and affords close and dramatic views of Willamette Falls.  PGE generates electricity at its Willamette Falls Hydroelectric Project and owns property on the Island. Through this Cooperative Agreement, the Trust will engage experts to study PGE property outside of areas under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) boundaries around the power plant. Pending the outcome of those feasibility studies, the Trust will determine the costs and timeline for potential acquisition and reclamation of the area.

“This Agreement reflects our recognition of the area’s immense importance and is consistent with our goal to provide safe access to federally recognized Northwest Tribes to support traditional cultural practices at the Falls,” said Nik Blosser, Vice President of Public Affairs at Portland General Electric.

To date, approximately $40 million in public and private dollars has been earmarked to restore meaningful public access to Willamette Falls.

The Willamette Falls Inter-Tribal Public Access Project on the Island west of Willamette Falls is envisioned to include public walkways, spaces for interpretation, cultural events, community programming, viewing structures and other public amenities, all informed by Indigenous-led design.

Willamette Falls is located within the district of Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, who said the Willamette Falls Trust, with its focus on inter-Tribal leadership, is uniquely qualified to lead this Project.

“Willamette Falls is an iconic environmental and cultural treasure for Oregon,” he said. “We look forward to working together to restore public access to the Falls and build stronger, healthier relationships with each other and for this natural wonder which is so significant to many.”

More information about Willamette Falls Trust and the Willamette Falls Inter-Tribal Public Access Project is available at willamettefallstrust.org