Casandra Hanson opened Sahaptin Stories at 4181 SE Division St. on Sept. 26, giving Portland what may be its first bookstore dedicated entirely to books by and about Indigenous peoples.

Hanson, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, lives in Colton in Clackamas County but chose Portland to reach a larger audience.

She ran the business as a pop-up at powwows and fairs before signing a lease on the Southeast Portland storefront, as first reported by OPB.

"Last year, when I operated as a pop-up shop, I'd sell out of books every place I went," Hanson told Willamette Week. "People want to read these kinds of books, but it can be hard to find them."

The store's name comes from the Warm Springs language Ichishkiin.

"Sahaptin" is another word for that language, and Hanson told OPB the name reflects her goal of learning more of it while encouraging others to explore their own stories.

Portland's metro area is home to an estimated 90,000 Indigenous people, one of the largest urban Native American populations in the country, according to the Native American Youth and Family Center.

While the city has culturally grounded spaces like the Native American Student and Community Center at Portland State University, an entire bookstore devoted to Indigenous literature has not been common in Oregon.

Inside, dark wooden bookshelves hold picture books, middle-grade fiction, and adult genres including nonfiction, horror, thriller and fantasy.

A cozy armchair sits near Indigenous artwork that includes a drawing by Hanson's grandfather. She hopes the space feels like a family living room, she told OPB.

Hanson stocks the shelves carefully. She researches each author's descendancy and background, and carries local writers Steph Littlebird and Leah Altman alongside authors from Alaska, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Hawaii, OPB reported.

The shop also aims to be a community hub. Hanson told OPB she plans to offer free math tutoring from her brother, crocheting lessons led by her 10-year-old daughter Jolee, and group readings.

In November, Sahaptin Stories will host an event at the Oregon City Public Library for Indigenous Heritage Month.

Her ambitions are big.

"My goal is to outgrow this space within a year," Hanson told Willamette Week.

Sahaptin Stories is at 4181 SE Division St., next to Electric Chair Tattoo. Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; noon–7 p.m. Wednesday; noon–5 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday. More at sahaptinstories.com.