November 2025 | Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
Willamette Falls Trust Tribal Leadership Committee from Left to Right: Robert Kentta (Siletz), Toby Patrick (Umatilla), Brigette McConville (Warm Springs), and David “Yellowash” Washines (Yakama Nation)
November is Native American Heritage Month, when we celebrate the rich cultural heritage and deep connections that Indigenous peoples have to the land. In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Willamette Falls stands as a powerful symbol of this enduring connection and holds immense significance for the Native American tribes of the region, including: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and Nez Perce.
These Tribes have historical, cultural, and spiritual ties to Willamette Falls, where they fish for salmon, gather resources, and conduct important ceremonies. This magnificent natural wonder not only tells a story of ecological abundance but also serves as a reminder of the resilience, traditions, and wisdom of the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded this land for millennia.
As we reflect on Native American Heritage Month, we recognize the ongoing efforts by Native communities to protect, preserve, and revive their cultural practices and connections to sacred places like Willamette Falls. These endeavors contribute to the broader cultural fabric of the region and remind us of the shared responsibility to honor and respect the heritage of the first peoples of this land.
This month and beyond, let us not only celebrate Native American heritage but also engage in meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and support for the preservation of Indigenous traditions and sacred sites like Willamette Falls, ensuring they continue to enrich the lives of future generations.
For more ways to engage and uplift Native voices, please take a look at the resources below.
Learn About Native Communities
Online & In Person
Online & In Person
Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington County Libraries
Online
Online & In Person
Washington County |
Film Library
Support Native Businesses & Events
Frybread Fest: November 8 | Portland, OR
Indigenous Marketplace: November 28 - 29 | Portland, OR
Portland, OR
November 1-30 | Bend, OR and Madras, OR
Support Native Art & Entertainment
Portland, OR
May 30, 2025 - January 4, 2026 | Portland, OR
