Last week, an Indigenous elder led a spirit walk across the future site of an affordable housing project at Vancouver’s Waterfront Gateway development — offering safe blessings with fir branches. On Wednesday, the site saw its official groundbreaking.

Portland-based nonprofit Native American Family and Youth Center’s property will house low-income residents. The planned affordable housing complex at 615 W. Sixth St. — the northwestern corner of the Vancouver City Hall parking lot — is the first of several developments planned for the 6.4-acre Waterfront Gateway District, designed to better connect the waterfront with downtown.

Sitting on traditional Cowlitz (or Stl’pulmsh) tribal land , the site aims to connect residents to culturally sensitive services and a deeper sense of belonging.

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