As the continent’s second-largest waterfall by volume, Willamette Falls is a place where multiple stories and cultures converge. For millennia, Native peoples have fished salmon and lamprey from the Willamette River and gathered foods and materials from its shores. Twentieth century industrialization that vitalized the regional economy at Willamette Falls created serious ecological and cultural damage to the area, limiting the domestic resources relied on by Native peoples and early settlers and restricting access for over 150 years.
Today, Willamette Falls Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3), creating public access for everyone at the Falls. The Trust achieves this through inclusive collaborative efforts with many partners, including delegated representatives from the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. These official tribal representatives lead through our Tribal Leadership Committee to bring healing to this place of power.
Join the Willamette Falls Trust board and make a lasting impact on a significant Pacific Northwest landmark. By joining the board, you will not only contribute to securing public access to Willamette Falls for future generations but also have the opportunity to support Tribal Sovereignty, amplify Indigenous voices, and work alongside a dedicated team committed to environmental and social impact.
We welcome anyone with a passion to support our work.
We are particularly looking for committed leaders who can help us improve our governance, organizational excellence, mission delivery, and representation.
We are looking for board members who are:
Personally invested in the long-term success of the Trust and its impact on the community. Serve as a thought partner who provides high-level strategic oversight to drive the Trust’s mission forward.
A team player who values learning from others and modeling collaboration.
Respectful and knowledgeable of Indigenous Peoples and diverse cultural heritages, with a keen learner’s mindset.
Skilled at building and leveraging networks to advance organizational goals. Strong verbal and listening skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and build relationships with diverse constituents.
Actively promoting inclusion in decision making and governance practices, cultivating a culture of belonging and mutual support.
Areas of expertise that we value include (but are not limited to):
Partnering with Tribal Governments, Organizations, and Communities
Environmental, Land Use, and Habitat Restoration
Experience leading or advising on large-scale infrastructure or capital projects.
Utility Knowledge, including familiarity with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing, permitting processes, and utility operations.
Experience with investor-owned utilities, particularly in communications and utilities management.
We welcome applicants who can strengthen our connections to communities that the Trust seeks to represent and engage through its work, including:
