Local Tribes Unite to Celebrate a Sacred Food Source and Advocate for River Conservation
The majestic Willamette Falls, cascading in a symphony of mist and sound, provided the backdrop for an extraordinary gathering on a recent Thursday morning. Members of the Yakama Nation and other indigenous tribes navigated the river, their hearts and history intertwined with this sacred waterway as they honored a vital food source—the Pacific lamprey.
The Ritual of Harvesting Lamprey
As the fishers approached the basin below the falls, they expertly maneuvered their small boat onto a series of slippery, moss-covered rocks. Each step was a balance between trepidation and purpose, showcasing their deep-rooted connection to this land—their ancestral territory.
Jeremy Takala, a proud member of the Yakama Nation, opened a white mesh bag, anticipation rippling through the air as one of his colleagues dove into the plunge pool and resurfaced with a squirming Pacific lamprey. "It’s amazing," Takala exclaimed, beaming with pride, "Having this moment to even take my kids out is important to me."
Cultural Significance of the Lamprey
The tribes gathered at Willamette Falls, including the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Nez Perce Tribes, enjoy a treaty-reserved right to harvest this ancient fish. For them, the lamprey is not just food; it symbolizes a first food—a cornerstone of their sustenance for centuries prior to European contact.
As summer arrives, and with it the peak season for lamprey, tribal members regularly venture out onto the Willamette River, returning with their treasured catch. After celebrating their harvest, they transported it to Clackamette Park for the fourth annual Yakama Nation Willamette Falls Lamprey Celebration, an event filled with cultural richness and community spirit.
A Celebration of Culture and Conservation
This year’s celebration welcomed the public with a vibrant array of activities—from heartfelt speeches by tribal leaders and conservationists to live demonstrations of traditional lamprey preparation. Attendees engaged with booths set up by the Yakima Nation Fisheries and the Bonneville Power Administration, learning about the lamprey’s plight and the ongoing conservation efforts.
Unfortunately, after 80 years of declining populations—up to 90%—these ancient fish now number merely 20,000, down from a staggering 400,000 at their peak. This troubling statistic has emerged from the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, reflecting environmental degradation and human activities that threaten this vital species.
The Fight for Survival and Conservation
Human impact on the Columbia River, exacerbated by barriers such as the Bonneville Dam, hampers the lamprey’s migration, which is essential for their spawning and larval development. As Corinne Sams, a board member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, emphasizes, "This is the most ancient species of anadromous fish that we have. It’s vital to our culture and sustenance."
Takala, vocal about the plight of the lamprey, collaborates closely with fellow tribal leaders to advocate for its preservation. As Wilbur Slockish Jr., a traditional river chief of the Klickitat Band of the Yakama Nation, underscores, fighting for their fishing rights intertwines with protecting the ecosystem of the Columbia River—a lifeline for their communities.
Advocacy for Future Generations
The Mitchell Act of 1938 promised compensation for fish lost due to dam constructions, yet the delivery has been lacking. Many conservation initiatives, described by Slockish as mere "bandaids," fail to provide sustainable solutions. Those federally funded efforts now face jeopardy, leaving tribes like the Yakama Nation at a crossroads.
Bill Yallup Jr., also of the Yakama Nation, states powerfully, "If they cannot survive, we will not survive." Tribal elder wisdom teaches that human existence is tied irrevocably to the wellbeing of the natural world.
Hope Through Collaboration
In a time when the lamprey’s decline has diminished its presence in the Columbia River, the Willamette Falls stands out as one of the last bastions for tribal fishing rights. Sams notes the instrumental role of collaboration among the four Pacific Northwest tribes, working collectively on various conservation projects.
Earlier this year, they launched an $8 million project at Bonneville Dam to enhance lamprey migration pathways, an example of proactive measures aimed at rejuvenating their population. The effort also includes relocating trapped lamprey from fish ladders to new habitats.
Looking Ahead
As Takala envisions future gatherings at Clackamette Park, he believes that awareness and community involvement are crucial for the lamprey’s recovery. "I feel like a lot of the work benefits the whole region," he affirms, echoing the sentiments of many. "We hope to maintain access and abundance, not only for our tribal communities but for all of Pacific Northwest."
For further reading on the importance of sustainable fishing and river conservation, visit Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
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