Projects

A YEAR TO REMEMBER

2022 was a monumental year for UCUT. After years of planning and effort, visions have become realities. This video highlights those projects and success stories and provides insight into the ongoing efforts of the 5 member tribes to restore the fish and wildlife along with the waters and habitats of the Upper Columbia.


Salmon Reintroduction – Phase 2

In 2019, members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation released salmon above Chief Joseph Dam and, a few days later, above Grand Coulee.

Salmon Reintroduction - Phase 2

When the Grand Coulee Dam and later the Chief Joseph Dam were built on the Columbia River, they blocked salmon from thousands of miles of Upper Columbia Basin habitat. This action decimated salmon populations. Indigenous people of the Upper Columbia no longer had access to salmon in their ancestral waters. Salmon are sacred to the native peoples of the Northwest. The loss of salmon changed the way we live, impacting our religion, lifestyle, culture, economy, and health. In 2019, members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation released salmon above Chief Joseph Dam and, a few days later, above Grand Coulee. It was the first time in more than 80 years that salmon were able to spawn above Grand Coulee Dam.

Fish Passage and Reintroduction Phase 1 Report

In May 2019, the UCUT completed Phase 1 of our phased approach to Fish Passage and Reintroduction into the U.S. and Canadian Upper Columbia Basin.

Fish Passage and Reintroduction Phase 1 Report

In May 2019, the UCUT completed Phase 1 of our phased approach to Fish Passage and Reintroduction into the U.S. and Canadian Upper Columbia Basin.

Kalispel Tribe of Indians – Northern Pike Suppression

The Kalispel Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have spent over a decade studying Northern Pike and fighting to suppress the source population. Pike eat a lot of fish and this will be catastrophic to salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River system.

Kalispel Tribe of Indians - Northern Pike Suppression

Northern Pike are incredibly close to invading the portion of the Columbia River that still contains salmon and steelhead. Pike eat a lot of fish and this will be catastrophic to salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River system. The Kalispel Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has spent over a decade studying them and fighting to suppress the source population of these voracious predators in the Pend Oreille River with great success. Check out this video which documents the struggle of living with and managing pike.

Answering the Call: UCUT Canoes Arrive at Standing Rock

Several canoe families from the Upper Columbia United Tribes visited Standing Rock to show their support for protecting the water. The hope is that this story inspires people to protect waters both locally and globally.

Video: Answering the Call: UCUT Canoes Arrive at Standing Rock


Canoe Journey and Gathering at Kettle Falls

Canoes connected us to our Rivers of Life. In the spring of 2015, UCUT purchased old growth cedar logs, and our communities carved these logs into dugout canoes. On June 17, 2016, the five Upper Columbia tribes journeyed in these canoes to Kettle Falls, our ancient fishing spot on the Columbia River. After traveling for days, we gathered together in the land of our ancestors for the first time in over 80 years. This is our journey.

Canoe Journey and Gathering at Kettle Falls

Canoes connected us to our Rivers of Life. In the spring of 2015, UCUT purchased old growth cedar logs, and our communities carved these logs into dugout canoes. On June 17, 2016, the five Upper Columbia tribes journeyed in these canoes to Kettle Falls, our ancient fishing spot on the Columbia River. After traveling for days, we gathered together in the land of our ancestors for the first time in over 80 years. This is our journey.

Coeur d’Alene Tribe Forest Carnivore Survey

Through millennia, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe survived using what nature provided. The tribe realized they are part of one life on earth with animals, birds, fish and plants. In the recent past, resources have declined or been lost from the tribe’s ancestral lands. Sacred animals like buffalo and caribou have disappeared. Forest carnivores like lynx, wolverines, fishers and martens face an unknown fate. These carnivores play an important part in the ecosystem. Find out about the tribe’s efforts to monitor and protect these animals.

Coeur d'Alene Tribe Forest Carnivore Survey

Through millennia, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe survived using what nature provided. The tribe realized they are part of one life on earth with animals, birds, fish and plants. In the recent past, resources have declined or been lost from the tribe’s ancestral lands. Sacred animals like buffalo and caribou have disappeared. Forest carnivores like lynx, wolverines, fishers and martens face an unknown fate. These carnivores play an important part in the ecosystem. Find out about the tribe’s efforts to monitor and protect these animals.

Treaty Talks: Paddling up the Columbia River for People and Salmon

UCUT and other Tribes and First Nations are pleased to release Treaty Talks, a video intended to start public discussion about the feasibility of fish passage above Grand Coulee Dam. The video follows the salmons’ ancestral journey up the Columbia River and seeks to raise awareness about the damage to the Columbia River by industry, dams, and the Columbia River Treaty, which was ratified 50 years ago. We are working to ensure that ecosystem-based function and fish passage are recognized as vital to the future of the river.

Treaty Talks: Paddling up the Columbia River for People and Salmon

UCUT and other Tribes and First Nations are pleased to release Treaty Talks, a video intended to start public discussion about the feasibility of fish passage above Grand Coulee Dam. The video follows the salmons’ ancestral journey up the Columbia River and seeks to raise awareness about the damage to the Columbia River by industry, dams, and the Columbia River Treaty, which was ratified 50 years ago. We are working to ensure that ecosystem-based function and fish passage are recognized as vital to the future of the river.

Protecting Lake Coeur d’Alene

Since time immemorial, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe lived on the water, but they were forced onto a reservation. As mining took off in Silver Valley, land was taken from their reservation and the tribe was forcefully removed from the shores of the waters. The tribe became aware of pollutants in the water and ecosystem as a result of the mining. Watch how the tribe fought for their right to Coeur d’Alene Lake and to clean up the waters.

Video: Protecting Lake CDA


Selective Harvest

When Grand Coulee Dam was built, it destroyed the fisheries of Kettle Falls. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation moved to selective fishing to harvest fish. This allows them to keep the hatchery fish and release the native fish. Selective harvest also provides opportunities for individual tribal members who can’t fish for themselves.

Selective Harvest

When Grand Coulee Dam was built, it destroyed the fisheries of Kettle Falls. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation moved to selective fishing to harvest fish. This allows them to keep the hatchery fish and release the native fish.

Grand Coulee and the Forgotten Tribe

For thousands of years, the Spokane River was the lifeblood of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. When Grand Coulee Dam was completed in 1942, Lake Roosevelt was created, covering traditional fishing sites, burial grounds, and sacred cultural gathering places. There were no options for the people of the Spokane Tribe and no options for the salmon, which were blocked by the dam. For nearly 70 years, the Spokane Tribe of Indians has been negotiating with the federal government over the tribe’s losses due to Grand Coulee Dam.

Video: Grand Coulee and the Forgotten Tribe


The Friendliest Catch

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have lost fishing opportunities due to the construction of dams. In collaboration with BPA, the live capture project seeks to recover wild runs of salmon. Wild-origin fish are released, and the hatchery fish are harvested for tribal members. The project is teaching tribal members to fish again.

Video: Friendliest Catch


Drumheller Springs Park

Drumheller Spring is a tribal landmark of cultural significance. UCUT formally adopted the urban Spokane park in 2005. We have spent hours restoring the beautiful natural area for the benefit and use of all.

Video: Drumheller Springs Park

Drumheller Spring is a tribal landmark of cultural significance. UCUT formally adopted the urban Spokane park in 2005. We have spent hours restoring the beautiful natural area for the benefit and use of all.

United for the Benefit of All

The UCUT provide one voice for our region to ensure a healthy future for the traditional territorial lands of our ancestors through a proactive and science-based approach to promoting Indian culture, fish, wildlife, and habitat. Together, the UCUT have worked hard to create a better environment for future generations.

Video: United for the Benefit of All


FILTER BY CATEGORY

Kalispel Tribe of Indians – Northern Pike Suppression

United by Water

The Value of Natural Capital in the Columbia River Basin

Answering the Call: UCUT Canoes Arrive at Standing Rock

Climate Change Workshop

Protecting Lake Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene Tribe Forest Carnivore Survey

UCUT Video Gallery

Canoe Journey and Gathering at Kettle Falls

Fish Reintroduction into the U.S. And Canadian Upper Columbia River

Upper Columbia River Basin Fish Passage and Reintroduction Project – Phase 1

Treaty Talks: A Journey up the Columbia River for People and Salmon

Columbia River Listed among Most Endangered Rivers of 2015

20 Year Report

United for the Benefit of All

Grand Coulee and the Forgotten Tribe

UCUT and Bonneville Power Administration Partnership

Tribal Salmon Management, Harvesting and Sharing

Forests and Fish Report

Drumheller Springs Natural Park

Pow Wow and Community Outreach