Re-Indigenizing 737 SE Sandy Blvd
“Today, Sandy Boulevard is a busy thoroughfare, diagonally bisecting the eastern half of the Portland Metro area from the Willamette River in Southeast Portland through to Troutdale near the confluence of the Columbia and Sandy Rivers. The path of the boulevard roughly follows a trail used by Native people to travel between the two rivers. Later Euro-American immigrants used the “Sandy Road” to transport agricultural crops into Portland markets. “
A Forever Home For A Local Grassroots Non Profit
The Portland Indigenous Marketplace community has established a new home at 737 SE Sandy Blvd in Portland. This location is being transformed from an abandoned warehouse into a cultural center that supports Indigenous and Black artists and entrepreneurs. The project includes the creation of a makerspace and a outdoor plaza.
Currently, the community is fundraising to repair and replace the very damaged and outdated roof of the building, which is a critical step before proceeding with further renovations. This effort includes a “Raise the Roof” GoFundMe campaign and various fundraisers like the Photobooth for the Future event held in September 2025. The goal is to complete these renovations and fully establish the cultural center potentially by the end of 2026.
The Portland Indigenous Marketplace provides barrier-free, culturally respectful spaces that encourage cultural resilience and economic sustainability, supporting Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs through public education and art. The organization calls for community support through donations, event participation, and spreading awareness to help realize this vision of a vibrant cultural community hub at 737 SE Sandy Blvd.
Together with the artists that PIM serves and local firms we have an exciting design that will honor the Natural history of the location as well as the Native history of the area. Artists Arusha Dittmer, Kitana Connelly and Rowena Jackson are all contributing to the design and we want to honor them with permanent recognition of their contributions, with signs and educational materials close to each deign element. Please help us make this very vivd dream of Re-Indigenizing this space a reality!
Your Support Matters
Donating to the Portland Indigenous Marketplace is a powerful way to support the preservation and celebration of Indigenous culture and arts while uplifting Indigenous and Black artists and entrepreneurs. Your contribution helps provide essential resources, training, and culturally respectful spaces for creative expression and economic sustainability. Right now, donations are urgently needed to repair the roof of their new home at 737 SE Sandy Blvd, a critical step that will secure the building and enable the organization to receive further grants and funding to fully realize its vision as a vibrant community hub. By giving, donors directly empower a grassroots nonprofit that fosters cultural resilience, community connection, and economic opportunity, helping ensure that Indigenous voices and creativity thrive for generations to come. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful impact in sustaining this vital cultural resource. Become a monthly donor TODAY!