Introducing 'Scht Wiwnu Park in Southwest Portland

Label:News Article

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) announces that the bureau's volunteer naming committee has chosen 'Scht Wiwnu (pronounced Ish-chit Way-el-noo) as the new name for the Southwest Portland park formerly known as Custer Park.

(Portland, Oregon) -

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) announces that the bureau's volunteer naming committee has chosen 'Scht Wiwnu (pronounced Ish-chit Way-el-noo) as the new name for the Southwest Portland park formerly known as Custer Park. It is located at SW 21st Avenue and SW Capitol Hill Road in District 4.

Click hereto hear the name pronounced by Native speaker Dallas Winishut, a teacher of Ichiskin Sńwit.

A view of the newly-renamed 'Scht Wiwnu Park .

The park's new name means "path of the huckleberry" and comes from the Ichishkin Sńwit language. Ichishkin Sńwit is spoken by Native American tribes from the Columbia River area, including the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama tribes. 'Scht Wiwnu Park includes a PP&R nature patch that contains a path planted with native huckleberries, an important First Food (traditional food) for local tribes. 

"This process began with community members coming together in the belief that this park should reflect dignity and truth. At times, that advocacy was met with resistance, even moments of tension, yet the commitment to change remained rooted in care for the land and for future generations," said Amanda Squiemphen-Yazzie, a naming committee member who is Wasco, Yakima, Navajo and a Citizen of Warm Springs Nation. "The journey from protest to celebration in this same place speaks to resilience. Ichishkín Sńwit will now stand visibly where it was once silenced but never erased, reminding the broader community that Native presence here is not only enduring, but ongoing and shaping the future."

In 2023, the naming committee determined the new park name should honor local tribes and Indigenous communities. They selected a short list of names and directed PP&R to conduct further engagement with local Native community members to determine the finalist. To provide an authentic effort to rename the park, PP&R contracted with Serina Fast Horse ofKimimela Consulting, an outreach consultant who is Lakota and Blackfeet and a lifelong member of the urban Indigenous community of Portland, to lead the outreach process in 2024. The City is proud of this important opportunity to enhance PP&R's relationships with the Native and Indigenous community and invest financial resources for their expertise.    

The park's new name means "path of the huckleberry" and comes from the Ichishkin Sńwit language spoken by Native American tribes from the Columbia River area.

Special thanks to Dallas Winishut and other Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs language teachers and elders for their partnership and consultation about the park's name, spelling, pronunciation, and meaning. Ichishkin Sńwit is one of three languages spoken and taught by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; the other two languages are Kiksht Awawat (Wasco) and Numu (Paiute).

"Using our language to name this park is really something special," said Dallas Winishut, Ichishkin Sńwit language teacher with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. "I learned this language from my family members, and we're in turn teaching it to our younger people to make sure it's carried on. We teach not only the language, but the history, tradition, and heritage of the language because they can't be separated, they are connected."

"Portland's parks should honor the history of the land they sit on and the communities who have cared for it over generations," said Priya Dhanapal, Deputy City Administrator for Public Works. "'Scht Wiwnu Park honors that connection while creating a space where Portlanders can learn from and celebrate Native culture and language. We're thankful to the tribal partners and community members who helped ensure the park's name reflects the culture and traditions of this region."

All are welcome to celebrate the newly renamed 'Scht Wiwnu Park.

What: Naming ceremony event at 'Scht Wiwnu Park, SW 21st Avenue and SW Capitol Hwy. 

When: Saturday, March 28, 3 pm to 5 pm.

This event will include: 

• Native drumming and songs 
• Family-friendly activities
• Food from a Native vendor
• Speakers including:
• Dallas Winishut of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
• Retired Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz
• Members of the naming committee

"We're proud to honor the deep cultural roots and living traditions of this land," said Interim PP&R Director Sonia Schmanski. "This new permanent name reflects the history, resilience, and stewardship of Indigenous people who have cared for this place over time."

Another view of 'Scht Wiwnu Park.

'Scht Wiwnu is the third PP&R park named in partnership with local Native communities but is the first on the west side of the Willamette River. Northeast Portland'sKʰunamokwst Park, which gets its name from the Chinook Wawa language and means "together," was the first PP&R park with an Indigenous name. Then in 2016 came East Portland'sLuuwit View Park. Luuwit is the Cowlitz name for Mt. St. Helens-a fitting name because St. Helens is often clearly visible from the park.

For more information on the park renaming, please visit

portland.gov/parks/renaming.

Background

In December 2020, the park previously known as Custer Park was given the temporary name "A Park" by retired Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz. As commissioner-in-charge of PP&R, she directed the bureau to engage in a community-supported renaming process to determine an appropriate permanent name.  

In early 2022, PP&R directed staff to conduct a joint renaming process for "A Park" and Wilson Outdoor Pool in alignment with the bureau's policy for the Naming of Parks, Natural Areas, Recreational Facilities, and Regional Trails.   

In spring 2022, 12 community members who represented diverse lived experiences, identities, and expertise began serving on a committee to review community submissions and recommend new names for both "A Park" and Wilson Outdoor Pool. The committee recommended the name Ida B. Wells Outdoor Pool to replace Wilson in November 2022 and later recommended the name 'Scht Wiwnu to replace Custer Park.  

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