Community Placekeeping Forum - March 5, 2026

The City of Milwaukie, Oregon held a Community Placekeeping Forum on March 5, 2026, focusing on indigenous placekeeping, cultural heritage, and public art projects. Key discussions included the city's adoption of a new naming policy for city assets and facilities, developed with community and tribal input to align with city values and promote inclusivity. A significant highlight was the introduction of the First Fish Heron public art project at Milwaukee Bay Park, which involves installing heron sculptures to educate the public about indigenous fishing ceremonies and cultural practices. The project aims to commission new sculptures annually through grant funding and artist invitations, fostering community engagement and honoring tribal traditions. While no direct procurement actions such as contract awards or budget allocations were detailed, the forum emphasized ongoing and future public art installations and potential grant-seeking efforts to support these initiatives.