More than 160 years after the people of the Grand Ronde were forcibly removed from our sacred homelands at tumwata/Willamette Falls, we are renewing our role as caretakers of the falls and bringing a unique vision to this one-of-a-kind site.
Healing tumwata
In 2019, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde acquired the 23-acre former Blue Heron Paper Company site on the banks of the Willamette River in Oregon City. Since then, we have been honing our vision for the site.
Focused around the central idea of healing, the vision is guided by the values of spirit, place and people.
Healing will begin with extensive ecological restoration at the southern end of the property. The natural basalt landscape and historic water channels under the defunct industrial buildings will be restored, native plants will be re-established and riparian habitat will be brought back to life to support native fish, birds and wildlife.
Expanding public access to tumwata/Willamette Falls
Our vision will increase access to the falls for everyone and revitalize the entire area.
Mixed-use development planned at the northern end of the site will visually and physically connect to the restored landscape. Potential development would balance office, hospitality, institutional or educational projects with cultural spaces, public gathering spots, restaurants, retail and the long-imagined riverwalk.
Most importantly, any new development will reflect the story of the Tribe and our connections to Willamette Falls.
