Welcome to Yakama Country

Salmon Camp began with campers arriving at theYakama Nation Museum and Cultural Center in Toppenish, Washington. The hour bus ride to Camp Chaparral allowed the campers to visit with one another and begin new friendships. Upon arrival at camp, campers settled into their cabins with their cabin counselor, took a tour of the camp, and gathered around the fire pit for introductions and ice breakers.

After reviewing the camp schedule and hearing from the camp Cultural Leaders, the campers developed the Salmon Camp Code, which they all agreed to abide by through the duration of camp. For an evening activity, the campers learned how to make wapaas (flat twined bags) that they could work on through the duration of camp. They also learned teachings of the sweathouse; many of the campers were excited they would get to sweat while at camp!

Columbia River Gorge

The first full day of camp was spent along the Columbia River. It was a chance to emphasize all of our connection to the other CRITFC tribes and each other. Karen Whitford, a Celilo elder and traditional storyteller, discussed tribal enrollment, the history of Celilo Village and falls, and how all the tribes in the Northwest were connected to the site. She shared traditional stories about Coyote and other animal relatives. Afterwards, the campers went down to the bank of the Columbia River to learn about the area before the dams and the fishing techniques their ancestors used along the river.

Traveling further downriver, the campers visited Cascade Locks for a scaffold fishing demonstration. Umatilla fisher Terrie Brigham spoke about tribal sovereignty and the importance of cultural values like hard work, respect, and integrity in her family fishing business. A quick tour through her Brigham Fish Market gave the campers a sense of what it takes to have a successful business.

On their way back to camp, the students stopped in Hood River to swim in the Columbia River to cool off on the hot day. That night, the campers participated in a sweat.

Tribal Resource Management and Restoration Projects

The Condit Dam removal site was the first stop on day three. Campers learned about the impact dams have on the journey of anadromous fish species like salmon and lamprey.

Yakama Nation fisheries biologist Jeanette Burkhardt described the site and led a short hike to the top of where the dam once was. She shared a model of the dam, historical pictures, and how the fish returned after the dam removal. From there, the group traveled upriver by to Northwestern Park, which was once underwater behind the dam. The site is being restored by ecologically and culturally appropriate species, which the campers learned about on a plant walk with Jeanette and Salmon Camp cultural leaders.

Campers also learned about how drones work and are being used for natural resource monitoring in various capacities. Campers were given GPS units and were challenged to mark reference points for the drones’ flying route and image capturing.

After lunch, the campers rafted the White Salmon River and saw the former dam site from within the depth of the canyon. Some rafts were counting in Sahaptin to keep their paddling in sync, while others shared their newly gained plant knowledge with the river guides. It was not only the sights, but the sounds, smells, and feeling on the river that campers will carry-on.

Science of Salmon and Restoration

Understanding our ecosystem from mountaintop to riverbed is key protecting salmon and other culturally significant fish species. The campers learned about tribal history and fishing tools from the Yakama Nation Cultural Resources Department through a variety archaeology activities. Yakama Nation Fisheries led activities where the campers learned about instruments used to monitor water quality and methods used to collect macroinvertebrates. They deemed the water quality was good and reported that the water was suitable for salmon. At another station, campers were given an overview of stream assessments and were able to electrofish, collecting data on fish species present.

During lunch, Yakama Nation fisheries biologist Elaine Harvey and Salmon Camp cultural leaders gave an ethnobotany presentation.

Yakama Forest Products resource manager Doug Olney journeyed with the campers to Mount Adams Lake, stopping to discuss the impact of forest fires on fish habitat. The afternoon was filled with trout fishing, medicine gathering, cedar bark peeling, and salmon filleting. Although no trout were caught at Mount Adams Lake, the campers enjoyed gathering medicines and learning language like áyun’ and qawsqaws—Yakama and Nez Perce words for osha root (Ligusticum sp). That evening the campers were shown remnants of peeled cedar trees and then helped peel a tree. Cultural leaders and camp counselors led salmon filleting workshop for the campers. The night was wrapped up with a hot sweat.

Higher Education and Professional Development

Visiting Heritage University was a full-day experience. Upon arrival, Dr. Jessica Black greeted the campers and guided a campus tour. In the Science Building, camp counselor Michael Buck gavea presentation about the scientific method and his research focusing on interviewing elders and gathering traditional ecological knowledge to guide restoration efforts. Yakama Nation Fisheries staff brought in live lamprey and gave a presentation about these prehistoric fish.

Afterwards, the campers rotated through three stations: Nutrition of Traditional Foods, Lamprey Dissection, and Steelhead Dissection. The Nutrition of Traditional Foods station was a presentation showing a film developed by Yakama tribal youth that featured traditional foods through interviews with community members. The dissection stations were led by high school youth participating in a summer program for Yakama students that was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Heritage University, and Pacific Northwest University. In the evening, campers did a fish printing activity, prepared medicine bundles, and participated in a sweat.

Tribal Governance, Fish Restoration, and Traditional Feast

Yakama Nation Tribal Council invited campers into the Meninock Council Chambers to learn about tribal leadership and government, treaty rights, and share a pizza lunch. Each of the campers had an opportunity to introduce themselves and ask questions of council members.

In the afternoon, the campers visited the Yakama Nation Marion Drain Fish Hatchery to view sturgeon at various life stages, measure water temperature, and assist with feeding.

The last camp activity was a traditional dinner hosted at the Toppenish Creek (White Swan) Longhouse. The campers learned about protocols in the longhouse, the traditional first foods, associated stories, and preparation methods.

Pack Up and Farewell

Friendships across tribes were formed throughout the week. As the campers packed up, they helped each other carry their items to the luggage shuttle and were sharing contact information to stay in touch after camp. The cultural leaders shared some wrap-up thought for the campers to carry forward with them. Lindsey Howtopat also gavea demonstration on making a cedar bark basket so the campers could visualize how to use the bark they peeled days prior. The campers were aware of the cultural resources that surrounded them at the end of camp and were eager to put that knowledge into practice.

The campers returned to Heritage University for a closing talking circle and barbecue with their families. Each of the camp counselors shared words about their cabin campers and gratitude to the families for supporting their youth in attending the 2018 CRITFC Tribal Salmon Camp.

Salmon Camp Impact

Several weeks after returning home, the Salmon Camp participants presented the posters they created at camp to their families and community during wrap-up sessions held in each tribal community. The experience gave the students an opportunity to practice their public speaking skills as they shared what they had learned about salmon and lamprey and what they enjoyed most about Salmon Camp. The jet boat tour at Hells Canyon was definitely at the top of the list! After their presentations, campers answered questions from their families about their future college and career plans. The CRITFC Salmon Camp Coordinator led a discussion on the importance of learning about math and science as students complete their K-12 education.Salmon Camp definitely had a positive impact on the participants. A post-camp survey found: