Street Rename in honor of Native American leader

Portland State University (PSU) is moving forward with an effort to rename a portion of SW Jackson Street, located directly outside the university’s Native American Student & Community Center (NASCC), in honor of longtime Indigenous community leader and advocate Rose Hill.

The proposed name, SW Rose Hill Street, would apply to the portion of SW Jackson Street between SW Fifth Avenue and SW Park Avenue. The effort is part of a community-driven process to honor an Indigenous leader whose work has had a lasting impact on Native students and the Portland community.

Honoring Rose Hill

Rose Hill was a respected Indigenous Elder, Cultural Keeper and former PSU Native American Student & Community Center Student Coordinator. She was instrumental in the establishment of the NASCC and has since served as an important gathering space for Native students and the broader community.

During her time at PSU, Hill mentored and advocated for countless Native students. She also served as a cultural advisor at the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest and held other leadership and advocacy roles supporting Portland’s Native community.

Hill passed away in October 2025. The proposed street renaming recognizes the lasting impact of her leadership, mentorship and commitment to Native students and community.

Why Rename SW Jackson Street?

The street is currently named after former U.S. President Andrew Jackson, whose administration played a significant role in the forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their homelands.

In 1830, Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the federal government to negotiate the removal of Native nations living east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river. The policy resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of Native people from their ancestral homelands.

For PSU and members of the surrounding Native community, the street name has long represented a painful history. Since the NASCC opened in 2003, PSU and community members have worked to educate others about that history and explore a new name that reflects Indigenous presence, leadership and community.

Where the Renaming Effort Stands

PSU has now moved through an important stage of the renaming process. On June 15, 2026, the university submitted more than 2,500 signatures from Portland residents supporting the proposed name change. The application has since moved forward for review.

The Portland Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed renaming on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. The Commission will ultimately make a recommendation to Portland City Council, which will make the final decision (target date October 2026).

How You Can Get Involved

Community members can support the renaming effort by participating in the upcoming public hearing and sharing their perspective with the Planning Commission.

Planning Commission Public Hearing

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Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: 1900 SW Fourth Avenue, Suite 2500

Community members can also provide written testimony to Cynthia Castro at cynthia.castro2@portlandoregon.gov. Written testimony must be received before the September 8 hearing and include your name.

This effort represents an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Rose Hill and the generations of Native students, families and community members who have helped shape Portland State University’s Native community.

Learn more about the rename effort here & here.

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