Often, discussions about the cleanup are framed in the language of science -- parts-per-millions, polychlorinated biphenyls, baseline ecological risk assessments. That terminology can be difficult for the average citizen to understand, and Quinn thinks it dissuades citizens from joining the discussion about the harbor’s fate.

“We needed a different way to engage people,” she said.

During Sunday’s two-hour event, storytellers will share tales about the lower Willamette, the section of the river between the Broadway Bridge and the Columbia River.

Speakers include Michael Karnosh, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde, a Linnton house boat resident, Big Float organizer Willy Levinson, and a novelist Cat Evleshin, who will tell a post-apocalyptic tale in which the Willamette plays a central role.

They won’t focus on the chemicals that have seeped into the lower Willamette, making it dangerous to swim or fish there. Instead, they’ll celebrate the river’s place in the community.

“We felt people needed to recognize the lower Willamette as the commons, not just an industry-generated waste stream,” Quinn said.

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