Salmon Homecoming at Oxbow Park

Image courtesy of Portland Indigenous Marketplace

Enjoy two days of fun, food and cultural connection at the Salmon Homecoming at Oxbow Park.

Indigenous educators, artists, and culture keepers join Metro to celebrate one of the Pacific Northwest’s keystone species as it returns to the Sandy River. Oxbow Park is known as one of the best places to see salmon spawning near Portland.

Here are the activities at this upcoming event.

The Salmon Homecoming is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday October 21 and Saturday October 22, 2023 at Oxbow Park in Gresham.

The primary focus of Salmon Homecoming is to pay tribute to the incredible salmon, an icon deeply ingrained in the culture of local Native American communities. This is a free, family-friendly event.

Activities

Salmon Homecoming promises a rich array of activities. Attendees can look forward to:

Vendors: Portland Indigenous Marketplace has coordinated more than 30 vendors selling Indigenous arts, crafts, and goods, showcasing the talents and creativity of the community. Be sure to bring cash! There is no cell service so vendors cannot take digital payment.
Plant Walks: Discover the natural beauty of Oxbow Park with guided plant walks, connecting participants to the land and its botanical treasures.
Native Games: Engage in friendly competition with traditional Native games, fostering camaraderie and connection.
Art Activities: Unleash your creative spirit with art activities that draw inspiration from Indigenous art forms and storytelling.
Cultural Crafts: Immerse yourself in the hands-on experience, deepening your appreciation for the skills of Indigenous artisans.
Drumming: Feel the rhythmic heartbeat of Indigenous culture through drumming performances that resonate with the soul.
Storytelling: Listen to captivating stories that carry the wisdom, history and traditions of Native communities.
Door Prizes and Raffles: Add an element of excitement with the chance to win door prizes or participate in raffles.
Free Meal: Indulge in a delectable feast featuring baked salmon, frybread and stew.

Schedule of Events

Here’s an overview of when and where you can participate in these free activities each day of the event:

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alder Shelter houses the vendor market.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eagle Shelter has food. First come, first served.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coho Shelter hosts Indigenous games and salmon samples.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Salmon viewing at the “C” trail along the river.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cultural dancing at the Alder Shelter (Sunday only)
11:30 a.m. Storytelling at the “C” trail along the river.
1 p.m. Plant walk. Meet at the Alder Shelter welcome booth.
2:30 p.m. Storytelling at the “C” trail along the river.

Need help navigating the park? View Oxbow Park’s salmon homecoming guide.

This community event is free to attend. Parking at Oxbow is $5. Keep in mind, you can park at Oxbow for free during free parking days at Portland Metro parks.

Oxbow Regional Park is at 3010 SE Oxbow Parkway in Gresham. For more information, visit Portland Indigenous Marketplace’s event page.

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