Commission

Salmon are sacred to tribes and First Nations. The loss of salmon impacted our diets and health, lifestyles and culture. We weren’t consulted nor considered when salmon were blocked from our waters, and we didn’t receive restitution. Learn more about our role as salmon managers. ... See more

We Are Salmon Nations For thousands of years, the UCUT were salmon nations and managers of salmon resources, and we still are today. Despite the blockage and extirpation of all salmon and steelhead runs throughout the Upper Columbia River system due to hydropower dam construction and agricultural ir... ... See more

For thousands of years, the Columbia River Basin relied on salmon as a keystone species that affected the health of humans, wildlife, other fish, habitat and water quality. Salmon are critical to a healthy ecosystem. They are an essential food source for many animals, including bears, otters, eagles, and orcas. Because they migrate up rivers from the ocean, they carry important nutrients from marine to terrestrial ecosystems. Their bodies don’t just feed animals but provide nourishment for humans and forests as well. The health of salmon is a strong indication of environmental quality. When their numbers decline, it is an alert that other species, including humans, are at higher risk of pollution and other unhealthy conditions. ... See more

The U.S. Columbia Basin Tribes, which includes UCUT, and Canadian First Nations of the Columbia River Basin have produced a paper that provides a much-needed proposal for restoring fish passage and reintroducing anadromous fish as an essential element in modernizing the Columbia River Treaty. This d... ... See more