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[ men singing in Native American language and drumming ]
They call me an elder.
I am not so much an elder.
I am still in training.
Because I look to Mother Earth for guidance.
I look to Father Sky.
The way our societies have developed
has had humans grow apart from nature.
And I think the biggest lesson from being here
is that we're interconnected.
This project reflects our best values here in Portland:
the protection of our great natural environment
for future generations.
This stuff has compost in it, huh?
I think by returning the floodplain
to its natural condition, I think younger folks can see
what a natural floodplain looks like,
how floodplains can store water during the flood season,
during the non-flood seasons
what kinds of habitat opportunities are offered.
Our world is incredibly complex,
and what's really cool about this part of Portland
is this is like the cutting edge
of where people and nature can co-exist.
Twenty years ago, we would be standing
among houses and streets
that every time Johnson Creek flooded,
they would be damaged.
Johnson Creek was looked upon as a flooding problem
and an urban storm sewer.
This project is really great because it showcases
Portland's commitment and follow-through
to completing a whole floodplain restoration.
The early emphasis of this project
was to acquire floodplain-damaged homes.
Phase two part of the project
is actually the floodplain restoration,
which in fact returns the floodplain
to holding flood waters.
Before the project and during the project,
I think there was quite a bit of skepticism.
But we had a pretty large flood in 2011,
and Foster Road didn't flood.
That was sort of a turning point
in the opinion of the neighborhood.
And then phase two in 2012,
I know people were really excited about the planting
and the opportunity to get involved with the project.
People ask us from time to time why --
through the years, because my husband worked
at Bonneville as an administrator --
why didn't we move to the west side of town?
[ chuckles ]
I think the answer is we liked the people here.
It was a lot more fun.
Do it lightly now.
I carried two buckets, she carried two buckets...
Let's make him a little hole so he can breathe.
CHILD: I hate beetles!
[ singing in Native American language and drumming ]