Northwest Native Chamber

Calling on Youth Councils, Tribal partners, and community!

Metro is inviting young people to share their voice and help shape the future of our region through Future Fest this Saturday at Portland State University.

They’re offering up to 2 spots per Youth Council to participate – we encourage your youth to register and represent your community!

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind performance – Mato Wayuhi will take the stage at The Gathering 2026, delivering a powerful live set and closing out the evening with a sound and presence you won’t want to miss. We’re excited to highlight his music as part of this year’s celebration, bringing an unforgettable energy to the night.

Mato Wayuhi is an Oglala Lakota artist originally from South Dakota. He works in film/TV as an actor, producer and musical composer, as well as writing his own music. Upon graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in film studies, Mato became the composer for the award-winning TV series Reservation Dogs and the feature-length documentary Free Leonard Peltier (2025) – the latter of which was nominated for Best Original Score by the 2025 IDA Awards. Mato stars as an actor in the new series The Lowdown, premiering on FX/Hulu. He is also featured on the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Hollywood & Entertainment.

From start to finish, The Gathering 2026 is about moments you can’t replicate – and Mato’s closing performance will be one that stays with you. Join us on October 1 at The Castaway Portland to experience it live and be part of an evening rooted in music, movement, and connection.

Sponsor or buy a ticket today! https://nwnc.ejoinme.org/Gathering2026

Photo by Zachary Gannon Photography

Applications are now open for the 2026 Regional Infrastructure Fund grants! Local Governments and tribes under 25,000 population can apply for planning and construction grants. Applications close September 16. Details: https://www.oregon.gov/biz/programs/RIF/Pages/default.aspx

We are excited to share a funding opportunity for Native and Tribal fishers throughout the Columbia River region!

The Oregon Food Bank's Native & Tribal Community Fisheries Mini-Grant is now accepting applications for grants ranging from $100–$5,000 to support business infrastructure, equipment, fish processing and preservation, marketing, and other one-time investments that help strengthen Native fishing businesses and livelihoods.

Eligible applicants must be enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Indian Nation, Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, or Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; be at least 18 years old; reside in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho; and fish the Columbia River.

The Northwest Native Chamber is available to support applicants with business planning, marketing, and other resources that can help strengthen your application and your business. If you're considering applying and would like to connect with our team, we'd be happy to talk with you.

Applications are due August 19, 2026.

Learn more and apply through Oregon Food Bank. Follow the link here! https://form.jotform.com/262005684006147

Come see an array of handmade, one-of-a-kind garments displayed especially for The Gathering 2026 through our Native Fashion Showcase!

Featuring specialty garments by MEKA, the showcase highlights the work of creative Mary Kelsay. Based in Seattle, MEKA is rooted in slow fashion – offering custom wear, redesign, and a unique collection of body-diverse, one-of-a-kind pieces alongside small-lot production garments and tees.

Mary’s work is deeply grounded in community and her Unangax heritage, using fashion to create space for her Indigenous relatives through showcases and community-centered celebrations. She is also currently costuming for Larissa FastHorse's "Fancy Dancer".

The Gathering 2026 is an exciting moment to experience culture and connection brought to life – where fashion becomes a reflection of identity, creativity, and community. Join us on October 1 at The Castaway Portland for an evening that celebrates expression, storytelling, and shared experience!

Sponsor or buy a ticket today: https://nwnc.ejoinme.org/Gathering2026

📣 We are Hiring 📣

NAYA Family Center is seeking a creative, strategic, and collaborative Communications Manager to lead the organization's communications efforts and elevate the stories, voices, and impact of Urban Native youth and families. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, this role is responsible for developing and executing communications strategies that strengthen NAYA's brand, engage community members and supporters, and advance the organization's mission through thoughtful storytelling and meaningful outreach.

You'll lead the creation of compelling content, support fundraising and community engagement initiatives, supervise communications staff, and help share the stories that inspire connection, advocacy, and investment in NAYA's work.

Read the full job posting here:

https://nayapdx.org/jobs/communications-manager

Ben Jacobs, a chef, restaurateur, food advocate, and member of the Osage Nation, will be joining us at The Gathering 2026! Chef Ben will be curating a specialty menu for the evening and sharing more about his work and impact.

A co-founder of Tocabe: An American Indian Eatery and Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace, Ben has helped build platforms that advance Native food systems while supporting the development of a Native-specific supply chain. From operating a meal production facility on the Osage Nation in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to strengthening food security across tribal communities, his work creates a cyclical economic driver that supports long-term growth.

Over the past 18 years, Ben has traveled to tribal communities throughout the United States and Canada, gaining firsthand knowledge of traditional ingredients, cooking methods, and recipes – helping to share and uplift the stories of those preserving Native culinary traditions.

In 2023, Ben was appointed by Joe Biden to serve on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, and in 2024, he was also appointed to the USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee.

We’re honored to welcome Guest Chef Ben Jacobs to The Gathering 2026 as part of bringing A Movement to Power to life – convening community, partners, and leaders in a celebration that advances Native businesses and long-term economic opportunity. Join us on October 1 at The Castaway Portland for an evening of thoughtfully curated food, culture, and community!

Sponsor or buy a ticket today! https://nwnc.ejoinme.org/Gathering2026

Major Closure of I-5 This Fall May Impact Portland-Area Businesses

As part of ODOT’s I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, all southbound lanes of I-5 between I-405 and I-84, near the Moda Center, will be closed for up to five weeks beginning September 11. One lane will remain open to the Broadway exit to maintain local access.

ODOT is offering informational webinars in early August to provide an overview of the closure, expected traffic impacts, and ways to prepare. The same presentation will be offered on both dates:

August 4, 12–1 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dKWn3fCiQbWSQ0-goJNpZg #/registration

August 5, 4–5 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sgS-KeICTb6T4ARoDBEOwg #/registration

A Business Toolkit is also available with resources that can be used before and during the closure, including communication templates, graphics, maps, and more:
https://i5rosequarter.org/biztoolkit/

Additional travel resources for staff commuting during the closure can be found here:
https://www.i5rosequarter.org/closure-travel-resources/

We know this will be a challenging period for many businesses. Our team is here as a resource as you plan and navigate the impacts.

Join SISC for our Community Art Market - Connecting Through Culture on August 22, 2026, from 11 am to 4 pm. The art market will be held at the future site of the Native Village & Gateway project. We invite Native and Indigenous artists and vendors, along with vendors from the Little Saigon neighborhood, to participate. Check out the comments below for more information!