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Confederated Colville Tribes honors NRCS for role in salmon’s return
 

SPOKANE, Wash. (July 1, 2009) – For its watershed rehabilitation work, facilitating the return of the spring Chinook salmon to the Tribal waters of the Colville Reservation, Washington’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was recently honored by the Confederated Colville Tribes (CCT) during its First Salmon Ceremony near Omak.

At a Tribal program on June 19, the CCT recognized the NRCS for its work in developing a watershed plan that led to removal of a number of fish passage barriers, including those at Mission Falls on Omak Creek.

Those barriers were created during the construction of a railroad in the 1920s. Dynamite explosions from excavation activities sent boulders cascading down into the Omak Creek – effectively cutting off the spring Chinook from their traditional spawning waters in the upper reaches of the stream.

Over the years, the Tribe, working with the NRCS and other agencies, has removed many of the barriers. Today, Steelhead and spring Chinook salmon can now migrate upstream where they have access to approximately 60 miles of spawning habitat.

Recently, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA will provide $625,000 to improve fish passage along other critical areas of Omak Creek, in Okanogan County. The funding comes as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

The First Salmon Ceremony included a sunrise service along the banks of Omak Creek where more than 50 members of the Tribe, Tribal Council members and invited guests listened to traditional songs and prayers offered by Tribal elders Tom Louie and Lionel Orr. The service, which included a symbolic “calling of the salmon” with river rocks by the participants, preceded the formal recognition event at the Omak Longhouse.

Participating in the revival of such an important ceremony provides the Tribal members with an important connection to previous and future generations, according to CCT Fish and Wildlife Director Joe Peone. "Through the years, with the salmon gone, we almost lost an important cultural activity," he said. "But now the tradition is being handed down to the next generation.”

Peone, along with many members of the Tribe, is thankful for the help the NRCS has provided during the past decade on the project. "NRCS’ assistance through the years has been outstanding,” Peone said. "We continue to use NRCS’ expertise – they’re always available to help us move this process forward. And we look forward to doing even more work in the months and years ahead,” he said.

NRCS State Conservationist Roylene Rides at the Door, who represented the agency at the event, said the work the NRCS has done along side the Tribe is especially rewarding. “It’s gratifying to see these important traditions return to the Tribe,” she said. “And it’s satisfying to know NRCS helped play an important role in the return of the salmon to the Tribal waters.”

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The Confederated Colville Tribes recognized the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Omak Creek rehabilitation efforts at its recent First Salmon Ceremony near Omak. Pictured from left are Mike Finley, Andy Joseph, Deb Louie, Roylene Rides at the Door (NRCS State Conservationist), Harvey Moses and Carleen Anderson.

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