United States

Celilo Legacy: Commemorating 50 Years Since the Loss of Celilo Falls

Fifty years ago on March 10, the great Celilo Falls was buried beneath the reservoir behind the Dalles Dam. This tragedy harmed the tribes that depended on the salmon harvested there, the salmon, the health of the Columbia River, and indeed the region as a whole. Now, on the 50th anniversary of this loss, the people of Celilo Village invited the public to take part in their historic commemoration dedicated to Celilo Falls. The event included three venues:

1. Celilo Longhouse: The Celilo Longhouse is the heart of Celilo Village. As such, it is the center for all official and ceremonial aspects of the commemoration. The opening ceremony, dignitaries’ speeches, salmon feast, and the powwow took place inside the longhouse on Saturday. Sunday began with a traditional Washat service, followed by a tribal elders’ roundtable. The event concluded with a closing ceremony in the longhouse on Sunday afternoon.
2. Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum Village: "Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum" means "Salmon People" in Sahaptin, the common language of the mid-Columbia tribes. The Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum Village contained displays and exhibits by tribes, agencies, and organizations that explained the history of Celilo Falls, tribal salmon culture, salmon issues, and river issues. There were also live demonstrations of tribal crafts, including traditional dipnet tying.
3. River Encampment: Celilo Park, on the banks of the Columbia River was reserved for individuals to set up tepees to camp on-site during the two-day event.

Contact

Carol Craig

Yakama Tribe, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

P.O. Box 151, Toppenish, WA 98948

Phone: +1 509-865-5121 x-6339

Web: www.critfc.org

"Solving the Klamath Crisis" Film Screening

On March 14 International Rivers and the Karuk Tribe of California screened "Solving the Klamath Crisis: Keeping Farms and Fish Alive" at Berkeley’s La Peña Cultural Center at 7pm, as part of the 10th annual International Day of Action for Rivers. The documentary film explains how, for the first time in decades, Native Americans, farmers, fishers and environmentalists have found something to agree on: the restoration of the Klamath River. All were invited to come and see the story behind the headlines about how these often-adversarial groups came together to promote removing the hydropower dams that threaten the Klamath River and the entire state’s salmon fisheries. The event was free and open to the public.

• See the event flyer
• See the press release
• See the press briefing sheet from the event

Contact

Day of Action Coordinator

International Rivers

Phone: +1 510-848-1155

Email: dayofaction [at] internationalrivers [dot] org'

Web: International Day of Action for Rivers

For further information, please contact:

Day of Action Coordinator
International Rivers
1847 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA 94703 USA
Phone: +1 510-848-1155
Fax: +1 510-848-1008
E-mail: dayofaction [at] internationalrivers [dot] org'