Indigenous-led movement reconnects the Columbia River with its sacred past—and future
The Columbia River was once one of the greatest salmon-producing rivers in the world. For Indigenous Peoples along its length, salmon have been central to life—spiritually, culturally, nutritionally and economically—since time immemorial.
That began to change in the late 1930s with the construction of the Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams in the U.S., followed by the Columbia River Treaty dams on both sides of the border. Together, these structures blocked salmon from reaching the upper Columbia River system, severing a vital connection between the fish and the Salmon Peoples of this region.
Led by the Nations
Over many decades, the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc and Ktunaxa Nations have worked to bring salmon home. Their longstanding efforts, including through the Canadian Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission, laid the foundation for what is now Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative.
“This Initiative is located in unceded Indigenous territories. Salmon have been prevented from returning to our waters for more than 86 years now,” says Jason Andrew, Ktunaxa Nation representative with the Bringing the Salmon Home Executive Working Group.
Mark Thomas, Executive Working Group Chair and Salmon Chief for the Shuswap Band, adds: “It is our cultural, spiritual, emotional and unconditional responsibility as Indigenous People to do all we can for our brethren, the Salmon. We will not waver or cease this responsibility; it is in our blood.”
In 2017, as discussions about renewing the Columbia River Treaty approached, Columbia Basin Trust supported renewed dialogue on salmon reintroduction—helping bring the three Nations together with senior levels of government, dam operators and others.
“The vision and leadership came from First Nations,” says Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO of the Trust. “Our role was to support that momentum by helping convene discussions. I want to recognize the work of now-retired Trust staff member Kindy Gosal, who was instrumental in bringing people together around the table and laying the groundwork for collaboration.”
This collaboration led to a historic milestone in 2019: the signing of a Letter of Agreement between the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc and Ktunaxa Nations, British Columbia and Canada to formally establish Bringing the Salmon Home. Its long-term vision is to restore salmon for Indigenous food, social and ceremonial needs, and to benefit ecosystems and communities across the Basin.
A Generational Movement
With funding from the Trust and other governments, the Initiative has made significant progress, including:
- Technical studies and salmon monitoring
- Tri-Nation youth and cultural gatherings
- Community and transboundary engagement.
Annual salmon fry releases in places like Columbia Lake, Revelstoke and Castlegar bring hundreds of people together. Elders speak, children sing, and communities send young salmon into ancestral waters—followed by ceremonies to call them home.
This is a generational movement. Youth are learning directly from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, ensuring that traditional wisdom continues to guide the way forward.
“This initiative is about both providing salmon and giving hope for generations to come,” says kalʔlùpaɋʹn Chief Keith Crow, Syilx Okanagan Nation representative. “We have the track record, and the technology is available to deliver fish passage in both directions. Through our combined efforts, salmon are swimming today in the upper Columbia system in Canada.”
A Shared Future
The initiative is widely seen as a model for Indigenous-led ecosystem restoration and reconciliation. But lasting success requires sustained commitment. The Trust remains committed to walking alongside the First Nations as they lead this work—honouring past commitments and the possibilities ahead.
“The Trust is proud to be part of this Indigenous-led process,” says Strilaeff. The dedicated work of the Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative helps the entire Basin remember what once was, and imagine what could be again.”
“This initiative is about both providing salmon and giving hope for generations to come.”
— kalʔlùpaɋʹn Chief Keith Crow, Syilx Okanagan Nation representative.
