Want to be culturally empowered and civically engaged? Join us for a presentation and conversation with guests from the Oregon Zoo and the City of Portland. We’ll provide an update on February’s Legislative Day of Action and Oregon House Bill 2625-Missing Indigenous Women. Of course, there will be community, a warm meal and lively discussion:

• Community Feedback about the Oregon Zoo: Join Metro staff and community leaders in a discussion about the partnership between the Oregon Zoo and local tribes. How do we honor the animals like the Elk, Black Bear, Otter, etc. and how can the Zoo be a good caretaker of our sacred animals?
• Office of Community & Civic Life, Code Change Committee Update: The City of Portland Office of Community & Civic Life, in collaboration with community partners, invites Portlanders to help create a road map for communities to grow and thrive. These conversations will inform the process of revising City Code Chapter 3.96.
• Portland United Against Hate (PUAH): Hear what 30 community members, staff and students accomplished in over a dozen meetings with in Salem with Oregon State legislators.
• HB 2625- Missing Indigenous Women Update: State of Oregon HB 2625 directs the Department of State Police to study how to increase criminal justice resources committed to missing Native American women in Oregon and to report to the committee of Legislative Assembly.

Portland Youth and Elders Council is a grassroots advocacy group housed at NAYA Family Center, and is open to everyone interested in building a strong civic connection with the local Native American community. Our mission is to strengthen the quality of life for the Portland American Indian and Alaska Native Community by encouraging local leadership, community development, and the practice of culture, values, and traditions.

The purpose of these gathering are:

• Unity: Bring Native American community, families, and organizations together
• Cross-generational conversation: strengthen ties between youth, adults, and Elders
• Advocacy: Making Native American issues a priority in our community
• Learning: Sharing and passing on tradition and history