Project Milestones
Our vision for tumwata village is a long-term one, and it will take many steps to see it come to fruition. Check this page for updates and project milestones along the way.
Grand Ronde Tribe Removes Old Blue Heron Admin Building to Create New tumwata village
May 29, 2024
The new round of demolition is the next step toward restoring public access to Willamette Falls Oregon City, Ore. – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is taking a big step toward healing, connection and public access to Willamette Falls by beginning its fourth and most visible phase of demolition at its 23-acre property in Oregon City. The latest round…
Grand Ronde Tribe Reveals New Name for Willamette Falls Site
September 6, 2022
In a move that further connects the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde with its ancestral homelands, the Tribe has chosen a new name for its 23-acre site near Willamette Falls in Oregon City. The name, tumwata village, includes the native name for the Falls, tumwata, and reflects the Tribe’s longstanding connection to the area. “As a name, tumwata village represents…
Second round of demolition for Blue Heron site approved
April 4, 2022
On Monday, April 4, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde started the next round of demolition on the former Blue Heron paper mill at Willamette Falls in Oregon City. The work, which comes about six months after the first round kicked off, was to include the demolition of four structures: a water filtration plant, millwright shop, auto shop and carpentry…
Demolition Begins at tumwata/Willamette Falls
September 22, 2021
Tribal leaders from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR) gathered on Tuesday, September 21 to commemorate the beginning of on-site demolition work at the former Blue Heron paper mill in Oregon City. The private event marks the first time any large-scale demolition has occurred on the site since its closure and will continue in phases, in coordination with Oregon…
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde receives grant for Willamette Falls environmental restoration
May 11, 2021
From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Baker Technical Institute, South Central Oregon Economic Development District and the City of Chiloquin have all been selected for funding under EPA’s Brownfields Assessment Grant and Multipurpose Grant programs. Funding will be awarded following submission of comprehensive work plans. In EPA’s Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington),…
Tribe shares its vision for Willamette Falls site
March 24, 2021
After acquiring the 23-acre Blue Heron site near Willamette Falls in 2019, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is now sharing its vision for the future of the culturally significant land. It is a vision that includes environmental and cultural restoration alongside thoughtful new development; a vision that will help restore public access, provide economic prosperity and return the Tribe…
Grand Ronde Tribe Finalizes Willamette Falls Purchase
August 19, 2019
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde became property owners at tumwata/Willamette Falls earlier today when it finalized its purchase of the Blue Heron Mill site from Washington developer George Heidgerken. The 23-acre Willamette Falls property is located within the Tribe’s ancestral homelands and holds significant historical and cultural importance for the Tribe. Once home to the Charcowah village of the…