The Office of the Governor of the State of Oregon
05/28/2026 | Press release | Archived content
5/28/2026: Tumwata Village Groundbreaking Remarks
Tumwata Village Groundbreaking Remarks
May 28, 2026
Good morning, everyone. Thank you to Chairwoman Kennedy and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for inviting me and the First Lady to stand with you at this momentous groundbreaking.
A special shout out to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Quality Commission for their commitment to partnership with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde on this project. And a big dose of appreciation to every local elected and community partner for helping make today possible.
Willamette Falls is one of the wonders of North America. Long before Oregon, this place was a gathering ground - a fishery, a trading center, a site of ceremony and kinship that drew tribal nations from the coast, the valley, the Columbia, and the Plateau. We are in a special place.
During my years as Speaker, I was a staunch advocate for public access to the Falls - work I did alongside my friend Senate President Peter Courtney, who would have been proud to stand here today. We worked to secure a $12.5 million state investment, and I am touched now seeing it in action.
Restoration is at the heart of tumwata village. The Grand Ronde Tribe is healing the land - removing old structures, restoring native plants and wildlife, revitalizing the ecosystem so that the salmon are plentiful and the falls thrive once again.
Environmental restoration is also cultural restoration. It's about honoring the land and the water that have sustained people for generations.
Economic development is also important. Tumwata village will become a vibrant destination - with mixed-use development to include retail, residential, office space, restaurants, a hotel, and gathering spaces. It will be an engine for local and regional growth. The village will create jobs, attract visitors, and demonstrate that economic growth and environmental stewardship can walk side by side.
The first building to be built will incorporate ground floor retail space that will anchor the southern end of Oregon City's downtown. The Tribe's investments will strengthen the economies of Oregon City, West Linn, Clackamas County, and the State of Oregon. Thank you.
And perhaps most significantly - public access to Willamette Falls will be restored. For too long, this natural wonder has been cut off. Now, Tribal members, Oregonians, and the visitors we welcome will have the chance to experience the falls, understand their significance, and witness the Tribe's work in healing this place.
This groundbreaking represents partnership - between tribal government, state agencies, and local community members coming together around a shared vision. That's how we do our best work in Oregon.
This moment is about justice. It's about recognizing that Oregon's future is stronger when tribal nations thrive, when ancestral lands are healed, and when Indigenous voices are heard.
To Chairwoman Kennedy and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde: Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for never giving up on this vision. Thank you for leaning into building relationships with Oregon City and state agencies to model what restoration, revitalization, and renewal can look like.
As we turn dirt today, we're turning a page - toward healing, toward prosperity, and toward a future where Willamette Falls thrives for generations to come. Thank you.
The Office of the Governor of the State of Oregon published this content on May 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 12, 2026 at 23:57 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]