Update: This event has passed.

This July we were delighted to exhibit an 8’ x 40’ Racial Justice Mural titled: Children of the River in the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Education Center.

This 40ft racial justice mural was on view thru July, after which it will get a permanent place at Hood River Valley High School.

The mural was funded by the Oregon Racial Justice Institute and was created in collaboration with Hood River Valley High School’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color students & advisors.

Michelle Yamamoto was the selected mural artist to bring this vision to life. It will be installed at Hood River Valley High School to create a welcoming atmosphere for all students.

Children of the River - Maryhill Museum - Columbia Gorge

Here’s a little background and insight into the project.

Hood River Valley High School Counsellor, Tammy Hosaka, was chosen out of 155 applicants to participate in Oregon’s first Racial Justice Institute Fellowship. This progressive program is funded by the Educator Advancement Council through the 2019 Student Success Act. Tammy Hosaka was chosen because she is dedicated to strengthening her practice in racial justice with a cohort of 30 educators.

The fellowship provided funds to create welcoming spaces for students of color.

Tammy Hosaka, biracial Japanese American and Asian Club Advisor, worked with Amirra Malak, mixed Egyptian art teacher and MENA Club Advisor, Patricia Ortega Cooper, Chilean, District Equity Leader, Lucille Begay, Native American Liaison, Stephanie Harris, mixed Black middle school counselor and Black in the Gorge founder. Casey Mac Wallahee and Terry Heemsah Sr., both members of the Yakama Nation Cultural Committee were also advisors for the Native American imagery included in the project. Native American students Theo Levine and Kaleb Cloud Looney gave their input too. Once these advisors met with affinity groups to brainstorm wasy to make HRVHS more welcoming, Michelle Yamamoto, mixed Japanese Canadian artist was brought in to create the mural representing diverse populations. She and several students painted the mural. In addition, Mary Dodds Schlick’s book Columbia River Basketry, Gift of the Ancestors, Gift of the Earth (1994) was used in research and to provide reference material for the mural.


It will be interesting to see the references used in the mural, on basketry in the Indigenous People’s Gallery, at Maryhill Museum, while the mural hangs on the level below.


You are most welcome to attend the opening celebration Saturday, July 1st from 2-5pm in the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Education Center.

Local sponsors:

  • Tum A Lum Lumber
  • Morgan Paint
  • Hood River Supply
  • Paige Paint
  • Travis Ronk