Confluence Project Receives $21,000 Grant from the Wildhorse Foundation for Threads of Heritage Consistency Project
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Confluence Project
info@confluenceproject.org
Confluence Project Receives $21,000 Grant from the Wildhorse Foundation for Threads of Heritage Consistency Project
Confluence Project has received a $21,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation to support the Threads of Heritage Consistency Project, an arts, fashion and cultural initiative empowering Native youth from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).
This funding will underwrite the majority of the project, which will engage 25 Native youth artists from the Umatilla Reservation in creating original fashion and art pieces that reflect their cultural identity and personal expression. Selected through an open call, each participant will receive a standardized art kit containing materials such as beads, feathers, and textiles, along with mentorship from Native artists and regular program check-ins.
Over a three-month creative period, youth will develop hands-on skills in sewing, beading, and design while building relationships with Native mentors and culture bearers. The project will culminate in September 2026 with an art exhibition, followed by an online showcase and a curated booklet documenting participants’ work.
“Our goal is to celebrate the artistic diversity and cultural pride of Umatilla youth while amplifying Native voices through visual storytelling and community engagement,” said a Confluence Project representative. “This support from Wildhorse Foundation makes it possible for young artists to share their stories in a powerful public way.”
About Confluence Project
Confluence Project is a Native-led nonprofit devoted to connecting and amplifying the voices of artists, youth, and culture bearers across the Columbia River System. Through storytelling, education, and community partnerships, Confluence uplifts Native narratives and creates opportunities for Native youth to celebrate heritage, creativity, and cultural resilience.
About the Wildhorse Foundation
The Wildhorse Foundation reflects the commitment of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to take a proactive, positive role in the well-being of the community. Funds, derived from a percentage of revenues from Wildhorse Resort & Casino, are managed and distributed by a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders and representatives of CTUIR.
Each year, the Wildhorse Foundation makes grants to eligible nonprofit, government, and Tribal organizations within the homeland area of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people. The Foundation has awarded more than $19 million in grant funding since its establishment in 2001. Grants are awarded quarterly, with deadlines on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. For more information, visit the Wildhorse Foundation website.