In partnership with Hillsboro’s Bag&Baggage Productions, the Native Theater Project is setting the stage to celebrate Native voices by producing Native stories by Native artists, supporting storytelling sovereignty, developing Native leaders, and enhancing the cultural competency of the American theater ecosystem. 

In September, the Native Theater Project debuted its first full production, Diné Nishłį (I Am A Sacred Being) or, A Boarding School Play by playwright Blossom Johnson. While local performances have passed, the partnership's commitment to building healthy communities through storytelling is just coming to life.

Learn more about the Native Theater Project's work in Hillsboro and stay tuned for more to come!

The basalt canyons of the Columbia River Gorge echo through the terraces of Hillsboro’s Civic Center Plaza.

Within the ancient igneous rocks, renowned Northwest artist Lillian Pitt captured history from the peoples of the Columbia River Plateau through more than 31 replicas of ancient petroglyphs.

Born on the Warm Springs Reservation, Pitt is a descendant of Wasco, Yakama, and Warm Springs people. 

She has been the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions, including the 1990 Governor’s Award of the Oregon Arts Commission.

Learn more about Riverbed. 

The City of Hillsboro has adopted a land acknowledgment statement recognizing the Atfalati-Kalapuyans as the ancestorial people of the Tualatin Valley and the role government has played in colonization of indigenous people.   

The land acknowledgment statement could be read at City events and activities, including groundbreaking ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, cultural celebrations, meetings, and more. 

The statement was developed by an indigenous community engagement group with representatives from nine tribes in partnership with Washington County. Hillsboro is the first city to adopt the statement approved by Washington County in 2022. 

City of Hillsboro Adopts Land Acknowledgment Statement

The Kalapuya and Atfalati tribes were the First People in Western Washington County. There is a rich and thriving Native community in Hillsboro, Washington County, and Oregon at large.

Today, there are nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon, and the Native people in our community also hail from others of the 562 sovereign nations in the U.S. 

Currently, there are more than 10,000 Native American people in Washington County,  with almost half living in Hillsboro. This population is increasing.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, are two sovereign tribal nations that inhabit Hillsboro-area land, among others.

Browse the Mercatus PDX Buy Native Guide. 

Visit the Northwest Native Chamber website for a business directory, information about scholarship programs, resources for professional development, and more.

Peruse the Come Thru Black & Indigenous Market.

Check out the items at the Indigenous Come Up Market.

Attend Portland Indigenous Marketplace events to soak in culture and visit a variety of vendors.

Native-owned Businesses at the Hillsboro Farmers’ Markets

Peace of Soap Company

Established in 2000 by an Oregon native, Peace of Soap crafts 100% natural, artisan soap of the highest quality. Peace of Soap has served the community in Hillsboro for 12 seasons and is proud to be an eco-friendly, organic ingredient soap company!

Visit Peace of Soap on Facebook.

Tutuilla True Fish

Tutuilla True Fish is an Oregon Native American-owned and operated fishery that fishes East up the Columbia River as Native ancestors have for hundreds of generations. Tutuilla provides ethically caught and harvested salmon to the public at fair-trade prices using methods that promote conservation and full life cycles.

Visit Tutuilla True Fish on Instagram.

Rose High Bear, Executive Producer of Wisdom of the Elders. Photo by Christine Dong.

The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) is a family of numerous tribes and voices who are rooted in sustaining tradition and building cultural wealth. They provide culturally specific programs and services that guide our people in the direction of personal success and balance through cultural empowerment. 

The Oregon Indian Education Association focuses on closing the academic achievement gap for Native American youth.

Wisdom of the Elders is a Portland-based storytelling and culture-keeping organization.

Nike's N7 Program

Check out the Native Wellness Institute, a Gresham-based organization promoting the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of North America’s Indigenous peoples.

The Nike N7 Program is a grant program “focused on getting youth in Native American and Indigenous communities in North America moving” and is connected to a collection co-designed with Indigenous athletes. 

Books

Kids

• Native American Heritage Month: Picture Books for Children
  
  
• Native American Heritage Month for Young Readers

Teens

• Native American Heritage Month Books for Teens

Adults

Books

• Celebrate Native American Heritage Month for Adults

Watch

Streaming recommendations are available on Kanopy. Watch for free with your library card and password.

• Films for Native American Heritage Month on Kanopy