Culture

UCUT Culture Projects: Preserving Indigenous Traditions, Protecting Sacred Sites, and Revitalizing Tribal Languages in the Upper Columbia Basin

UCUT Cultural Preservation Projects: Honoring Tribal Traditions, Sacred Lands, and Indigenous Knowledge in the Upper Columbia Basin

Cultural preservation is at the heart of UCUT’s mission. Through collaborative projects and community engagement, we protect sacred sites, revitalize Indigenous languages, and strengthen intergenerational connections. These efforts ensure that the traditions, stories, and values of our Member Tribes endure for generations to come.

Goals and Outcomes

Protect and restore culturally significant landscapes and historical landmarks
Support Indigenous language revitalization and cultural education
Engage youth and elders through storytelling, art, and traditional practices
Honor sacred sites and cultural protocols in all UCUT projects
Promote awareness of Indigenous history and contributions across the region

View our Culture Projects

The Value of Natural Capital in the Columbia River Basin

The Columbia River Basin is an abundant watershed, supporting immense forests, the largest salmon runs in the world, and diverse and abundant wildlife. These natural resources benefit our region with sustainable food, jobs, recreation, clean water, and a healthier environment, among many others. Yet, these natural resources have been seriously degraded by dams and other developments in the basin. When assets, whether built or natural, are not managed sustainably, economic loss occurs.

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. https://youtu.be/-Rtey62eyJk

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 …

UCUT Video Gallery

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. https://vimeo.com/818231993 Salmon …

Canoe Journey and Gathering at Kettle Falls

On June 17, 2016, the five Upper Columbia United Tribes journeyed in dugout 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. “Salmon is a sacred resource to our tribes. It is inherent in our beliefs that we are stewards of the river and of salmon…”

Treaty Talks: A Journey 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. Treaty Talks raises awareness about the damage to the Columbia River by industry, Grand Coulee and other dams, and the …

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Explore More of Our Work

Want to see what else we’re doing across the Upper Columbia region? Browse all of our ongoing and completed projects.

All Projects

Meet the Tribes Behind the Work

Our projects are made possible by the leadership and collaboration of five sovereign tribal nations. Learn more about the Member Tribes that make up UCUT and their connection to this land.

Discover The Tribes

Have a Question or Want to Learn More?

We’re here to connect. Reach out to our team for more information about this project or to explore ways to get involved.

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