Northwest Native Chamber

Ben Jacobs, a chef, restaurateur, food advocate, and member of the Osage Nation, will be joining us at The Gathering 2026! Chef Ben will be curating a specialty menu for the evening and sharing more about his work and impact.

A co-founder of Tocabe: An American Indian Eatery and Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace, Ben has helped build platforms that advance Native food systems while supporting the development of a Native-specific supply chain. From operating a meal production facility on the Osage Nation in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to strengthening food security across tribal communities, his work creates a cyclical economic driver that supports long-term growth.

Over the past 18 years, Ben has traveled to tribal communities throughout the United States and Canada, gaining firsthand knowledge of traditional ingredients, cooking methods, and recipes – helping to share and uplift the stories of those preserving Native culinary traditions.

In 2023, Ben was appointed by Joe Biden to serve on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, and in 2024, he was also appointed to the USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee.

We’re honored to welcome Guest Chef Ben Jacobs to The Gathering 2026 as part of bringing A Movement to Power to life – convening community, partners, and leaders in a celebration that advances Native businesses and long-term economic opportunity. Join us on October 1 at The Castaway Portland for an evening of thoughtfully curated food, culture, and community!

Sponsor or buy a ticket today! https://nwnc.ejoinme.org/Gathering2026

Major Closure of I-5 This Fall May Impact Portland-Area Businesses

As part of ODOT’s I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, all southbound lanes of I-5 between I-405 and I-84, near the Moda Center, will be closed for up to five weeks beginning September 11. One lane will remain open to the Broadway exit to maintain local access.

ODOT is offering informational webinars in early August to provide an overview of the closure, expected traffic impacts, and ways to prepare. The same presentation will be offered on both dates:

August 4, 12–1 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dKWn3fCiQbWSQ0-goJNpZg #/registration

August 5, 4–5 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sgS-KeICTb6T4ARoDBEOwg #/registration

A Business Toolkit is also available with resources that can be used before and during the closure, including communication templates, graphics, maps, and more:
https://i5rosequarter.org/biztoolkit/

Additional travel resources for staff commuting during the closure can be found here:
https://www.i5rosequarter.org/closure-travel-resources/

We know this will be a challenging period for many businesses. Our team is here as a resource as you plan and navigate the impacts.

Join SISC for our Community Art Market - Connecting Through Culture on August 22, 2026, from 11 am to 4 pm. The art market will be held at the future site of the Native Village & Gateway project. We invite Native and Indigenous artists and vendors, along with vendors from the Little Saigon neighborhood, to participate. Check out the comments below for more information!

BizFair 2026 is returning to Puyallup, offering a free and valuable opportunity for both current and aspiring small business owners.

This event brings together representatives from SBA, SBDC, state agencies, and local organizations who are there to engage directly with you. Attendees can explore workshops, connect with exhibitors, ask questions, and access resources that support starting and growing a business.

➡️ Saturday, September 19, 2026
➡️ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
➡️ Pierce College, Puyallup Campus
➡️ Free to attend

If you or someone in your network is building a business, this is a strong opportunity to connect and learn.

Learn more and register: www.bizfair.wa.gov

EXPLORE YOUR EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES!

Company 1:1 Consultations with WSDA In-Market Representatives from SE Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines), Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and Mexico/Central America; August 10-14, 2026.

WSDA International Marketing Program invites you to meet with our In-Market Representatives to gain market insight and information that will help your company develop your export strategies and grow your export sales.

Whether you are new-to-export or an experienced exporter, these meetings provide a great opportunity for you to learn about these markets. It will be your time to meet and build relationships with the reps, get product and label feedback, understand local distribution channels, identify opportunities for your products, understand import requirements for your product, and much more (see attached flyer). You are welcome to meet with one or all the reps in Seattle (August 10 or 11) or Kennewick (August 13). Each meeting will last 30 minutes.

The registration process will request information about your company, product(s), export experience / objectives, and your objectives for the consultation. This information will be shared with the reps in advance so that they can prepare for your meeting. Please allow approximately 15 minutes to complete your registration.

To schedule a 1:1 consultation meeting (choose 1 session only), register at:

Meetings in Seattle; August 10 or 11: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seattle-wsda-in-market-representatives-company-1-1-consultations-tickets-1990824767471?aff=oddtdtcreator

OR

Meetings in Kennewick, August 13: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kennewick-wsda-in-market-representatives-company-1-1-consultations-tickets-1990825014209?aff=oddtdtcreator

Sign up as soon as possible to secure your meeting date and time. There are limited spaces available, and we anticipate they will fill up quickly. Meetings will be scheduled in the order of registrations received and you will receive a confirmation email with the details by August 3. Registration closes on July 31 at 5:00 p.m.

There is no cost to participate. Company consultations costs are being covered by WSDA.

For questions, contact Julie Johnson at [email protected] or 360-790-1060.

THE MUSEUM IS NOT THE CONTACT FOR THE COLLECTIONS. PLEASE CONTACT PEOPLE IN THE POST WITH QUESTIONS AND CONNECTIONS.

🚨 UPDATE 🚨

Update 11:52PM- 7/26/2026 : 3 sites have been secured in Portland and Gresham- the flyer is being updated

Gresham Area:
Representative Ricki Ruiz district office- 135 NW 1st st Gresham Oregon 97030 suite 1

Monday - Thursday from 10am - 2pm!

NE PDX:
Bison Coffee House
3941 NE Cully Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97213
Monday- Friday 8am-2pm

Parcera Vintage
1428 NE Broadway
Monday and Tuesday- 12pm to 7 Monday and Tuesday.

More donation sites to come upon confirmation tomorrow 🫶🏽

--------------------------------------------------------
EMERGENCY SUPPLY DRIVE FOR WARM SPRINGS

The Warm Springs Reservation is currently facing a major wildfire emergency driven by the fast-moving Bench Fire and nearby Beachcomb Fire.
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and local police have issued Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders. Impacted areas include the entirety of Warm Springs Agency, Upper Seekseequa, Dry Hollow, Lower Seekseequa, Jackson Trail, and Tenino Road.

WHAT CAN BE DONATED:
• WATER and no cook FOODS
• Blankets
• Basic Medical Supplies
• Personal hygiene kits
• Pet Supplies
• Childcare Supplies
• Gift Cards + Hotel Donations
• Small Fans, Box Fans
• Filters

Prayers for Yakima, Colville and Umatilla tribes as well!
DM to set up a drop off or pick up!!!

Statement to the Membership Issued by Chairman Dennis White III and the 30th Tribal Council

July 27, 2026

First and foremost, I want to send prayers to our community, our people, and our Nation. My thoughts are especially with the families who have lost their homes during these devastating fires.

At this time, both the Beachcomb Fire and the Bench Fire remain at 0% containment, and our Agency area continues to be under Level 3 evacuation status. These fires have impacted every one of us and have been life-changing for many of our Tribal members.

On Saturday, July 25, I declared a State of Emergency for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. This decision was made after carefully considering the rapidly changing conditions and the many challenges our Nation was facing.

The Lower Seekseequa and Upper Seekseequa areas were the first to be evacuated as the fire advanced through those communities. Shortly afterward, Dry Hollow was also placed under evacuation. As the fires continued to grow, additional areas were placed under Level 3 evacuation orders. On Saturday, the Agency area was also placed under a Level 3 evacuation. These evacuation decisions were made by Fire Incident Command and are based solely on ensuring the safety of our community.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has closed its offices to help protect the safety of our employees, community and Tribal members, except for essential staff. Evacuation levels will continue to be evaluated daily, and updates will be shared as soon as new information becomes available.

I want to assure our Tribal membership that our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our Nation. We remain committed to protecting lives, property, and our lands. We will continue working closely with emergency responders, Incident Command, and or local, state, and federal partners as we navigate this crisis together.

I ask everyone to continue following evacuation orders, remain vigilant, and keep our firefighters, first responders, emergency personnel, and all those affected in your prayers. Together we will support one another as we move through this emergency.

Salem Capitol Connections Event, July 28, 2026, 7:30-10:30 AM

📍 Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry
626 High Street NE, Room 115
Salem OR 97301

Topic, Presenters, and Program Description:

Join Ashley Sisneros from the Oregon Department of Transportation Procurement Office for an informative and engaging session on heavy highway bridge contracting. Ashley will walk you through the systems and resources ODOT uses, show you where to find key project information, and explain the pre-qualification process required to bid on major construction projects.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from ODOT Procurement and strengthen your readiness for upcoming contracting opportunities!

Salem Capitol Connections provides the Oregon entrepreneur with the opportunity to connect with public and private entities that lead to sustainable business relationships and opportunities.

Questions: Contact Marin Arreola at 503-798-8679 or [email protected].

The Delbert Anderson Quartet, led by Diné (Navajo) jazz trumpeter and composer Delbert Anderson, will be performing live at The Gathering 2026 – all throughout the night!

A leader and innovator in today’s contemporary jazz scene, Anderson is also a Diné culture bearer whose work brings forward traditional Diné “spinning songs,” once shared in social circles, and reimagines them through the languages of jazz and funk.

Alongside visionary multicultural jazz fusion drummer Khalill Brown, pianist Robert Muller, and bassist Evan Suiter, Anderson creates space for Diné melodies to move across styles and expressions. Their compositions are guided by the Diné principles of Hózhó, harmony, beauty, and balance, and K’é, or kinship. In doing so, the quartet connects across genre and culture while remaining grounded in a sound shaped by generations of tradition.

The Gathering 2026 "Movement to Power. Our Culture. Our Prosperity. Our Future." is brought to life by convening community, partners, and leaders in a celebration of Indigenous excellence that advances Native businesses, and long-term economic opportunity. Join us on October 1 at the Castaway Portland for an evening of music, culture, and community!

Sponsor or buy a ticket today! Visit: https://nwnc.ejoinme.org/Gathering2026