updated January 15, 2024
Field States is based in Portland, Oregon, in the United States. The Portland Metro area encompasses land that was historically inhabited by the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other tribes who spent time along the Columbia River. It is important to acknowledge the significance of the river and the salmon for the history of this place. The Treaty of 1818 and the subsequent Oregon Treaty of 1846, both between the United States and the United Kingdom, claimed this territory from its original inhabitants without compensation. Enabled by United States policies (chiefly the Donation Land Claim Act), Oregon was settled by homesteaders who espoused ideals of western expansionism and white supremacy. In 1859, Oregon became a legal entity and constitutive part of the United States, and redoubled efforts of forced relocation of the Native American population.
We know that history is filled with trauma, but we recognize that acknowledging the past and keeping it in the open is crucial, because the violent political and territorial origins of this place have left a lasting impact. In the content and contour of our work at Field States, we look for ways to heal those scars. Native and minority populations are a vital part of this place today, and we seek to learn from them, work in alliance with them, and support them in our work.
A land acknowledgement like the one above is necessary, but it isn’t sufficient. Our team created a new approach that substantiates our focus on place-based integrity in two key ways: building meaningful relationships and offering direct support. We call it Percent for Place.
Percent for Place helps us understand our communities more deeply, which in turn makes us a stronger team, better equipped to create with integrity, and more connected to our fellow humans.
Read more about Percent for Place and see who we’ve supported →
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