A New Chapter Begins: Celebrating the Grand Reopening of Tistilal Village
Yesterday marked an historic milestone for NAYA and the Native American community in Portland as we officially celebrated the grand opening of the newly redeveloped Tistilal Village. After years of planning, construction, and community collaboration, we gathered to cut the ribbon on 58 beautiful new affordable housing units that represent so much more than just housing—they represent hope, community, and cultural connection.
About 50 community leaders and partners attended the ceremony to celebrate the success. Elected and appointed leaders gave short (and long) speeches, and gave thanks and kudos to those gathered who made the project a reality.
Cowlitz Elder Tanna Engdahl opened the ceremony with a blessing, telling attendees, “We are here on ancient lands that echo the sounds of Indian communities and the laughter of children at play while they have faded into history. The legacy has been carried forward in our very bones and sings to us now in this recreated village, one that carries the name of Tistilal… ‘Thunderbird.’ … this mystical winged warrior that was the guardian spirit of many, who commanded the skies, lightning, thunder, rain and rebirth of the earth, and reaches into this century, Tistilal – love that spreads over our working days and sleeping nights with protection and guardianship. How can we not feel the joy all around us as the ancestors join us in this celebration?”
Of the reimagined building, Engdahl said, “Here is evidence that vision can produce a blueprint. Dreams can become steel.”
Speakers included:
- Oscar Arana (Chichimeca) Chief Executive Officer, Native American Youth and Family Center
- Tanna Engdahl (Cowlitz Indian Tribe) Spiritual Leader – Blessing
- Mayor Keith Wilson, City of Portland
- Candace Avalos, City Councilor and Chair of Housing Committee
- Christine Lewis, Metro Councilor District 2
- Leslie Goodlow, Equity & Business Operations Manager, Portland Housing Bureau
- Andrea Bell, Executive Director, Oregon Housing and Community Services
- Ivory Matthews, Chief Executive Officer, Home Forward
- Andrew Colas, President and Chief Executive Officer, Colas Construction
- JT Hutchinson, Head of Corporate Banking, PNC
- Sam Baraso, Program Manager, Portland Clean Energy Fund
- Jason Allen
- Molly Washington (N’Dee/Apache) NAYA Board Chair
The ceremony concluded with gifting to the team who made those dreams into steel, and a ribbon cutting with the speakers.
Tistilal Village Ribbon Cutting
Returning Home: A Native Reimagination of Housing Redevelopment
When an organization named “Low Income Housing for Native Americans in Portland Oregon” (LIHNAPO) built Tistilal Village in the 1970s, it was always intended to support the Native American community. Unfortunately, when NAYA assumed ownership of the property in 2008, the building had a backlog of necessary repairs. NAYA innovated our way through this unique challenge. A team which included a resident of the property wrestled for six months with the question of whether to rehabilitate or to redevelop. Rehabilitation to bring the building up to our high standards for our renters was found to be prohibitively expensive. Tistilal Village has become the first property where NAYA is the lead developer. This new capacity allowed us to undertake this project aligned with our values. We chose to completely redevelop the property to give our renters the high-quality housing they deserve, while ensuring our renters had constant support during the transition. Our community has for too long faced traumatic, open-ended, anxiety-inducing displacement. Our trauma-informed approach gave our renters everything they needed to return home.
Every household who resided in the former Tistilal Village property was successfully rehomed and supported in transitioning into a temporary place to reside. Renters were provided $12,500 in relocation assistance, 78% more than required by law. Relocated renters were also offered rent assistance during the redevelopment to keep their rent and utilities stable. Over the course of redevelopment, we saw and created opportunities to support renters further. Twenty-two of our temporarily relocated households participated in NAYA’s wraparound service model, making use of matched savings accounts (IDAs). Two families, supported by NAYA’s homeownership program, used their relocation assistance to make down payments to buy homes and become homeowners. A majority of the original residents were slated to return to Tistilal Village, though many found a new place to call home and chose not to move a second time. Today, 11 of the original 34 households have returned to living in their old location in the Portsmouth neighborhood, in a brand-new unit.
This is the first NAYA housing project that was led by a Native developer (NAYA) and built by a Black-owned construction firm, our partners at Colas Construction. But it will not be the last.
Voices from the Community: Returning Residents Share Their Stories
The heart of Tistilal Village is the residents, many of whom lived through the entire redevelopment process. We spoke with two returning residents who shared their experiences of this transformative journey. The residents, who have overcome challenges through NAYA program supports, agreed to share their stories confidentially to ensure their privacy.
“They Kept Their Word”
Resident 1, a father of three boys, who lived at the original development since 2017, shared his experience of the transition process.
“At first, you know, we were a little bit nervous, cause then we saw, you know, to ourselves, man, we gotta go back into homelessness and stuff like that. But it wasn’t like that, because they told us, you know, that everything was going to be all right. Everything was going to be okay that we were not going to go homeless again and they were going to be there for us, so they relocated us to the apartment.”
Speaking about the building’s completion, he said, “when we got the news that it was done, and we came back … it was amazing. I mean, it’s beautiful, you know?”
Asked about the best part of the entire process, he responded, “The best part is that they kept their word, and they’ve always been helping us since the beginning, and they helped us relocate. Like I said, they brought us back over here without no problems that they helped us out.”
“Real Stability”
Resident 2, a mother who emailed us about her journey, had lived at Tistilal Village for 12 years before the redevelopment, and been a NAYA program participant even longer. She described the comprehensive support NAYA provided during the relocation process.
“[NAYA] offered us so much help. They started with materials to move, then they helped us look for places as well. They were sending us to open places every week then they helped us with all the cost for whatever place we got into. It was so nice because moving is stressful and we need all the help we can get,” she shared.
For her, the most significant change has been stability, “I think the biggest and most positive change I have seen is REAL STABILITY. We know we are going to be ok and we know we are going to have a place to live and that alone makes me happy and feel safe for me and my children.”
Reflecting on NAYA’s ongoing support, she shared, “NAYA’s support has been a very big part of my life for the last 14 years and I would not change it at all. They have been there for the ups and downs and have watched my kids grow from babies to teens.”
“All I can say is that NAYA is amazing, and I don’t think it gets the praise it should get,” the resident offered. “NAYA is family oriented and wants to help.”
Building Community and Culture
The new Tistilal Village features significant improvements over the original development. The three-story, 63,000-square-foot building includes:
7 studios
19 one-bedroom units (656 square feet)
21 two-bedroom units (831 square feet)
11 three-bedroom units (1046 square feet)
The property includes 16 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units for formerly homeless households. The Native American Rehabilitation of the Northwest (NARA NW) will employ a Permanent Supportive Housing Specialist to work collaboratively with NARA NW, Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), and NAYA staff to assist in the referral process to Tistilal Village for eligible households. The PSH specialist will assist with all move-in processes to ensure the PSH residents understand the terms of their lease, and their rights and responsibilities. Within two weeks of move-in, at a pace determined by the resident, the PSH Specialist will meet individually with each PSH household to complete a needs assessment and housing support plan.
Outdoor spaces include a plaza, play area, seating, and community gardens, while interior communal areas and supportive service offices foster a trauma-informed, community-focused setting. The community room is named in honor of Donita Sue Fry, whom Arana described as “a very special person who once led NAYA’s community engagement efforts. Donita Sue Fry was a force to be reckoned with, and a gifted leader known for bringing Native people together. As we celebrate the opening of a place where Native families can live, gather, and thrive, it’s also important that we honor the people who’ve helped make our community what it is today. That’s why I’m especially honored to take a few moments to recognize someone whose legacy continues to shape our work at NAYA and across the region’s Native community.”
Donita’s three children stand in front of the plaque that bears her name and story.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate this milestone, we recognize that Tistilal Village represents more than affordable housing—it’s a testament to what’s possible when community-led development prioritizes cultural connection and holistic support.
Resident 2 offered this advice for other families facing housing challenges, “I would tell them they’re not alone and that there is people to help. I would tell them NAYA has programs that can help… Be honest with NAYA and they will do everything in their power to help you and your family and to ask for all the programs, and to not be scared. They will fight [along] with you and make sure you are ok.”
This redevelopment was not easy. A fire during construction led to six entire units needing to be rebuilt, and the entire project to undergo smoke remediation. Oscar Arana (Chicimeca), NAYA’s Chief Executive Officer, shared, “Colas staff were always reliable and resourceful in the way that they approach the work and solve problems that came our way. The fire caused an unexpected increase to the entire team’s work.” Arana said that the diligence and dedication of the Colas team enabled the project to move forward, despite the extra obstacle.
Arana said other challenges were met with equal determination, leading to the successful completion of the project. Contaminated soil surprised us, and we needed to address it for the health and safety of the community. The completed community features amenities we’re very proud of: two elevators, beautiful Native art, laundry on each floor, curved hallway corners, and A/C in each unit.
Arana emceed the ribbon cutting event with humor and steady leadership, even jumping into action when a gust of wind nearly knocked over our state and national flag. He spoke about the housing work and some of the difficulties that come with the great need our people face. “Our resilience comes from our choice to lean into challenges, not to ignore them.”
Board Chair Molly Washington (N’Dee/Apache) concluded the spoken program by marvelling at the legacy NAYA has established. What began as a basketball program meant to keep Native youth safe from street violence is now the first urban Native-led developer in our region.
“From 50 years ago, renting space in a gym to bring together kids on a Friday night, to now 50 years later having this and multiple housing projects on the way… this is a milestone in the journey. We recognize that history and our influence from our Elders, and we look to the next seven generations, and to our youth to be inspired by them. And we say, ‘what can we plant today in this moment that will bloom for you later when you need it?’ Fifty years ago, the Elders planted the seed of NAYA that became the bloom of Tistilal Village today. And we’re continuing to plant.”
Thank you to our many partners who made our dream of a renewed Tistilal Village into steel.
