Oregon Origins Project Celebrates Indigenous Art, Storytelling, and Tradition

PORTLAND, Ore. — This fall, the Oregon Origins Project will shine a spotlight on the Nez Perce Tribe’s relationship to the land through art, music, and storytelling. The initiative, known for blending history, geology, and cultural expression, presents its seventh major program:

Oregon Origins Project VII: wéetes waχ tim’íne (Earth + Heart)

The event will explore Indigenous traditions through the voices of culture bearers, artists, and storytellers, creating a bridge between Oregon’s ancient origins and living Native traditions.

A Celebration Rooted in Tradition

The October 18 event will take place at Reed College’s Performing Arts Building in Portland. It features presentations from Nakia Williamson-Cloud, Darla Jackson, and Phillip Cash Cash, each offering unique perspectives on the Nez Perce Tribe’s heritage and its ongoing connection to the Columbia and Willamette River landscapes.

Williamson-Cloud, the Nez Perce Tribe’s Cultural Resources Program Director, artist, singer, and storyteller, will emcee. He describes the gathering as both cultural expression and reaffirmation of the tribe’s enduring relationship to place:

“This event will bring together tradition bearers from the Nimíipuu, who represent over 16,500 years of experience upon this landscape. Our tamáalwit (natural law) has kept us here in perpetuity, and continues to reaffirm our relationship to this land and all of life.”

Featured Artists and Culture Bearers

Phillip Cash Cash (Nez Perce/Cayuse) — A linguist, writer, and artist, Cash Cash will share stories in Nimiipuutímt, the Nez Perce language, accompanied by translations, and perform on the traditional Plateau elderberry flute.
Darla Jackson (Nez Perce) — An archaeologist and moccasin maker, Jackson will discuss her family’s tribal traditions and share examples of her moccasin work while reflecting on cultural continuity.
Nakia Williamson-Cloud (Nez Perce) — In addition to emceeing, Williamson-Cloud will perform traditional stories and songs and speak about his visual art practice.

Each presenter will offer a 30-minute session, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Complementary Exhibit

The program will also highlight Heads and Hearts: Seeing the Landscape Through Nez Perce Eyes, a related exhibit co-presented with the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture. The exhibit will be on display at OMSI from January 10 to February 26, 2026, expanding on the themes of land, memory, and resilience.

Event Details

What: Oregon Origins Project VII: wéetes waχ tim’íne (Earth + Heart)
When: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Reed College Performing Arts Building, 3017 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
Tickets: Pay-what-you-will (suggested $10 minimum). Available at oregonorigins.org.

About the Oregon Origins Project

Founded in 2022, the Oregon Origins Project is an arts and culture initiative dedicated to exploring the deep history of the state through creative expression. Its mission is twofold:

Fall programs celebrate Indigenous traditions and contemporary Native art.
Spring programs invite artists of all disciplines to create new works inspired by Oregon’s geologic and cultural origins.

Past highlights include:

Oregon Origins Project VI: The Birth of Cascadia — an epic musical and visual arts production about the region’s geologic past.
Project V: Keeping Traditions Alive — showcasing Indigenous basketry, dressmaking, storytelling, and dance.
Project IV: Convergence — a play inspired by the confluence of three desert rivers.
Project III: Maa~-xuslh-ghalh-ta Tututni Dené — a journey through the seasonal traditions of southwest Oregon’s coastal peoples.
Project II: Seven Wonders — a music and dance work exploring the ancient forces shaping Oregon’s wild landscapes.
Project I: Indigenous Voices — a landmark gathering of Native American artists and tradition bearers from across the state.

The 2025–26 season will also feature:

Project VIII: Echoes of Eruption — a contemporary dance premiere in Bend exploring the geologic history of Newberry Volcano.
Encore of Project II: Seven Wonders — returning to Gold Beach with support from Travel Curry Coast and Curry Public Library.

Supported by Community

This season’s events are supported by the Ronni S. Lacroute Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation and by Reed College’s Library, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program, Environmental Studies Program, and Office of the President.

The donation-based ticket model and online video archives ensure that the events remain accessible and inclusive, reflecting the project’s commitment to community and education.

Looking Ahead

Through storytelling, art, and music, Oregon Origins Project VII: wéetes waχ tim’íne (Earth + Heart) will invite audiences to engage deeply with the Nez Perce Tribe’s living traditions and their enduring relationship to the land.

For Williamson-Cloud, Jackson, Cash Cash, and the Oregon Origins Project, the event is not just about history — it is about ensuring that the voices, values, and creativity of Oregon’s Indigenous communities continue to guide the state’s cultural future.