Adrian Villegas
Web & Communication Support Specialist
Hoopa Valley Tribe

2025/11/19 at 12:06 pm

Hoopa, CA — A new education building is under construction across from Pookey’s Park, marking a major step forward for youth programs, families, and the entire Hoopa community. The project officially began with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, November 14th, 2025, celebrating the start of a long-awaited vision coming to life.

Built from the ground up, the new facility will provide a larger, modern, and culturally grounded home for the Tribe’s after-school and educational programs.

For years, the After School Program and the Johnson O’Malley Indian Education Center have operated out of small, aging buildings that limit student capacity and restrict programming. The new building will unite these programs under one roof, expanding opportunities for K–8 after-school activities, tutoring, and year-round learning.

“This new space will finally give our youth a place they can be proud of,” said Onaleece Colegrove, Education Director, who is coordinating the education side of the project. “It will allow us to expand our programs and create more opportunities for students and the community.”

Colegrove also recognized the years of leadership and vision behind the project:

“The building was a project I inherited from the previous Education Director, Erika Tracy, and has been a longstanding vision spanning across multiple Education Boards. I am grateful for the opportunity to help bring this vision to fruition. Additionally, I’m grateful to the Tribal Council for prioritizing our youth and investing in them and our community by funding this new building, which will give us the space to advance our educational sovereignty.”

The site—approved by Tribal Council—was chosen for its safe walking distance from the school campuses and its proximity to other education buildings.

Funding Information:

According to Education Director Onaleece Colegrove,

“The project is funded through a mix of Tribal dollars, grants, and New Market Tax Credits.”

Construction Manager Walter Gray has been leading the Tribe’s work through the New Market Tax Credit process, helping leverage tribal funds and maximize overall project resources.

Additional financial support has been accessed through the Afterschool Program under Shelly Carpenter.

A Long-Term Vision Finally Taking Shape

For many involved, this new building represents more than a structure, it marks a step toward a broader vision for Hoopa’s future in education.

Pam Mattz, from the Planning Department, shared the significance of reaching this milestone:

“It's really exciting for the kids and to start the process of developing an Indian school—something bigger, something more for Indian education, and for the Tribe to operate. We want more tribal input and more things driven by our own community. We started this in 2019, and we’re still here. It’s been a long process. We were stopped by COVID for a couple years, so we’re excited to finally see it.”

Construction Manager Walter Gray reflected on how meaningful this project is to him personally:

“I’m a product of what this new building represents. When I was in school, our JOM program was in a small double-wide trailer, and that space made all the difference for me. I wasn’t the best student, but in that building I had tutors, I felt comfortable, and I was surrounded by my culture while learning everything else I needed to learn. It helped free my mind and made learning possible. Knowing what it did for me gives me hope for the future generations who will learn in this new building.”

Looking Ahead

The building is being constructed in phases with a soft estimated completion in June, though that date may shift depending on construction progress.

Beyond expanded classrooms and new learning spaces, the building will serve as a much-needed medium-sized venue for youth activities, cultural events, workshops, and community gatherings—filling a long-standing gap in local facilities.

“This building reinforces that the Tribe is investing in our youth,” Colegrove added. “It shows our kids that their education matters and that we are committed to providing high-quality programs and spaces.”

The project’s design also allows room for future expansion, supporting the community’s long-term hope of establishing a tribally operated school.

The Hoopa Valley Tribe will continue to provide updates as construction progresses and looks forward to celebrating the positive impact this new education building will bring to families and future generations.