The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde broke ground Wednesday on tumwata village, launching construction on a major redevelopment project along the banks of the Willamette River near Willamette Falls.
The development marks a significant milestone in the Tribe’s long-term effort to restore and revitalize the former Blue Heron paper mill property, a culturally significant site purchased by the Tribe in 2019.
The initial Block 1 phase of the project is expected to take about a year and includes roads, utilities, and site preparation to support a 55-unit residential building and a 12,000-square-foot commercial building.
Tribal leaders, state officials, and community members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony celebrating what leaders described as both a cultural homecoming and an investment in the future.
“tumwata has always been a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance for our people,” said Grand Ronde Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy. “As a Tribe, our roots are here. As the great granddaughter of Chief Wacheno, who lived at this village, my roots begin here.”
Kennedy said the project represents an effort to honor Tribal ancestors while creating opportunities for future generations.
“Today, we took a meaningful step in honoring those who came before us, ensuring those roots remain strong, and building something lasting for future generations,” she said.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek also praised the project, highlighting its role in economic development and environmental restoration.
“This moment is about recognizing that Oregon’s future is stronger when tribal nations thrive, when ancestral lands are healed, and when Indigenous voices are heard,” Kotek said. “tumwata village will demonstrate that economic growth and environmental stewardship can walk side by side.”
The 23-acre property near Willamette Falls had been heavily industrialized for more than a century before the Tribe acquired it. In 2021, the Tribe began demolishing deteriorated structures on the site and conducted extensive archaeological studies.
Tribal leaders described the groundbreaking as the largest step yet in returning life to a neglected area deeply tied to Tribal history and identity.
The vision for tumwata village centers on creating a modern tribal village that reflects the Tribe’s enduring connection to the land while opening new opportunities for housing, commerce, community gathering, and public access to the riverfront.
The project also includes major environmental restoration efforts aimed at improving habitat, restoring native landscapes, and enhancing water quality along the Willamette River after decades of industrial use.
According to the Tribe, the development represents a long-awaited opportunity to reclaim and steward ancestral lands that have remained central to Tribal life for generations.
The project will also restore public access to Willamette Falls and surrounding areas, reconnecting the broader community to one of Oregon’s most historically and culturally significant landscapes.