5 Ways to Connect to Northwest Native People

5 Ways to Connect to Northwest Native People
The Columbia River Basin, Photo Credit: woodleywonderworks

Our Guest Curator Emily Washines (she/her) knows a lot about Native history. (Read more about Emily here). She told us about 5 great ways you can connect to Indigenous culture and history in the Northwest.

Learn About The Yakama War

“Watch two descendants of the Yakama War (1855-1858) meet after being pen pals for a year. This was filmed as a part of the PBS Native American short film series, the story of two families connected to a historical war that few people talk about.”   


Order Salmon from Native Fishers

“Bridgette and Sean McConville are Columbia River fishers and tribal members of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the Nez Perce Tribe. You can also follow their updates on social media, which include filleting fish. I always have a can of salmon on my shelves. We were running low so a few days ago we placed an order and a shipment from them arrived today!”

Plan a Visit Along the River

The Confluence Project has sites in Oregon and Washington with art that has cultural connections to Columbia River tribes. There are amazing learning opportunities in nature and along the river. Even viewing the artwork of Native Artists can help build an understanding of the connection to the land.”

Learn about a Washington Ecosystem

“Produced by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Conservation Northwest, -his Land is a Part of Us talks about the significance of the landscape to the resources and the people in Washington. Yakama survival means understanding the resources and what they offer.”

Learn About The Fish Wars

“During the last pandemic and this pandemic, the Yakama tribal fishers were in legal court battles. Though it began in 1916 the court battle spanned years. This court conviction was vacated in July 2020 and read by Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis. During the fish wars, Native American people were criminalized for fishing and the Washington State Court addresses this history.”

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