The introduction of new fishing technologies such as gill nets and fish wheels in the 1880's resulted in the capability for thousands of fish to be taken by an individual in a day instead of a hundred as the traditional tribal techniques. The abundant salmon runs each spring that the tribes had depended on for thousands of years declined. To help with declining fish populations, the first hatcheries were started in 1896. Still, regulation became necessary and the use of fish wheel technology was banned in Oregon in 1926 and in Washington in 1934.
Celilo falls was drowned with the completion of the Dalles dam in 1957. This most important fishery was gone I was told this quote from a woman named Annie Luo Alexander who grew up on the Nchi Wana (big river) and witnessed the event. "They took away our thunder." she said. The culture of theYakama tribe is very giving. As an example, at wedding celebrations, the bride and groom give a gift to all the people who attend (not the other way around). "We were give, give give, said one Yakama man to me. The US history is take, take take.
The scene I witnessed today in the area that was Celilo falls was windsurfers enjoying wind across the lake, and a few people sitting and talking together behind the gates of the area reserved for tribal peoples. Sharon and I prayed for grief of the loss of such a vitally important area as the loss of salmon fisheries to be healed and livelihoods restored. 
No comments:
Post a Comment