Linfield University hosts its annual Camas Festival on Friday, May 1, 2026, welcoming the community to campus for a day of connection, learning and celebration. Events take place between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. around Nicholson Library. The event is free and open to the public.
Developed in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Camas Festival centers on the camas plant — a vital Indigenous food source — and honors its deep roots in the land, history and lifeways of the Pacific Northwest.
Attendees can tour the camas patch in Cozine Creek natural area where they will explore remnants of original habitats of the Willamette Valley, including wet prairie, oak savannah and riparian forest. Students in Linfield’s environmental studies department have used the natural area as a “living classroom” and coordinated efforts toward the ongoing restoration of native species. In removing invasive blackberry thickets, these efforts have allowed a camas patch — which may have been cultivated since before European settlement — to once again thrive.
“The Camas Festival is about more than just a native lily. It reminds us that nature is resilient and that we have an important role as the temporary stewards of the places that we live and work,” said Kurt Ingeman, associate professor of environmental studies at Linfield. “We are honored to work alongside the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to create an event that celebrates our shared appreciation of camas and its enduring importance in this region.”
The Camas Festival provides an opportunity for students and community members to engage with Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while deepening their understanding of the Pacific Northwest’s natural and cultural history.
Highlights of the festival include:
- Indigenous Creators Market, featuring various artisans and vendors.
- Guided tours of the camas patches at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tours originate at Nicholson Library with shuttle service to the Cozine Creek restoration area.
- Cultural demonstrations and educational presentations.
- Family-friendly activities throughout the day.
Presentations during the day feature a demonstration on “Camas Cultivation and Preparation” at 12:30 p.m. by members of the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde. Artist Tammie Dupuis will also give an artist talk at 3 p.m. on her exhibition “Continuality,” currently on display at the Linfield Art Gallery.
For a full schedule of events, visit linfield.edu/camasfest.
