Artist Shares Tribal Culture Through 75-Foot Mural In Oregon City

OREGON CITY, OR — Brian Krehbiel, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, was joined Wednesday by other tribal members in front of 503 Main St. in Oregon City.

Standing in front of a large white outer wall of White Rabbit Black Ink, a bookstore and coffee shop, they blessed the area and the work that Krehbiel was about to undertake.

With the support of the Three Rivers Artists Guild, Krehbiel received permission to paint a 75-foot-by-19-foot mural on the side of the building depicting the tale of Meadowlark and Coyote.

The story tells how Meadowlark and Coyote overcame differences in language to stretch a large rope that was turned into a large rock that created Willamette Falls.

"Through connection, teaching and expression, our goal is to make tribal culture accessible and build a stronger community," Krehbiel told the City Commission of Oregon City in May.

"We work with tribal members of all ages, backgrounds and abilities," he said. "Intuitively, we find new ways to further cultural knowledge in a way that's exciting and accommodates different learning styles."

Krehbiel will paint the mural across the street from the former site of the Blue Heron Paper Mill, which was taken over by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde three years ago and is being transformed into a multiuse area that will include a museum, housing, stores and more.

In addition to showing Meadowlark and Coyote stretching their rope, the mural will depict people fishing on the river; a heron, which is a sacred bird to the Native people of the area; and a large Welcoming Pole which, with its outstretched arms, signals to all visitors that they are welcome.

The mural, part of Oregon City's new Public Art Project, is being funded with an $18,690 Metro Enhancement Grant and is expected to be done this summer.