Event hosted by AIANTA.
Lewis and Clark were amazed by the dip net fishing among the tribes along the Columbia River. Today’s Tribes (Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Nez Perce) continue this historic practice and have developed an exciting trail where visitors can see the continuation of this historic method of fishing. In addition to viewing the fishers, the public can purchase salmon directly from over-the-bank sales or enjoy it at Native-owned restaurants. Learn how the tribes worked with their fishers, local communities and the state to create this culinary trail that shares the importance of salmon in their culture.
Presenters:
Buck Jones (Cayuse Member Confederated Tribes of Umatilla), Salmon Marketing Specialist, CRITFC
Buck Jones, an enrolled Cayuse member of one of the Bands of Confederated Tribes of The Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), is a multi-decade Columbia River Treaty Fisherman. Buck, who has been employed since 2004 for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), started as a Fisheries Technician but now serves as Salmon Marketing Specialist. He works on product development, developing classes on cold water and boat safety and provides quality handling classes for approximately 700 tribal fishers. Buck is Co-Chair of the Food Sovereignty subcommittee for Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and a board member of Gorge Grown Food Network, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District and Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance.
Brigette McConville (Wasco/Paiute), Owner, Salmon King Fisheries
Brigette, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (Wasco and Paiute), first started preparing fish when she was eight years old. She got her start cleaning fish before handing them off to her grandmother, mother and aunts to filet but by age 10 she was cutting fish on her own. She has now been working with fish for more than 40 years—selling, sharing and trading with those not so fortunate. In 2011, she opened her retail store Salmon King Fisheries, where she shares her traditional way of life and enjoys fishing with her husband.
Michelle Liberty (Cayuse/Umatilla/Walla Walla), Tribal Tourism Liaison, Travel Oregon
A member of Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes, Michelle Liberty grew up in Northeastern Oregon. After a stint working in marketing and advertising for domestic and international agencies, Michelle returned to her Eastern Oregon roots, taking the position of Marketing Director for Wildhorse Resort and Casino located just outside of Pendleton. During her tenure with Wildhorse, Michelle accompanied the Travel Oregon team to such international trade shows as ITB and IPW, where she promoted the casino, the Tribes’ Tamástslikt Cultural Institute and tribal tourism throughout the state. Twelve years later, Michelle opened Attitude, Inc., a marketing consulting firm, and she now also serves as Travel Oregon’s Tribal Tourism Liaison.
Lisa Itel, Director of Global Strategic Partnership, Travel Oregon
Lisa Itel serves as the Director of Global Strategic Partnerships for Travel Oregon. She leads Travel Oregon’s grant programs and team and oversees the execution of partnerships and sponsorships and collaborates with Oregon’s economic development infrastructure. Previously, Lisa served as Global Sales Manager, Americas and Oceania for Travel Oregon. Lisa’s favorite Oregon activity is spending time at her family cabin in Joseph, Oregon.
Moderator: Bruce Rettig, Tribal Content Developer, AIANTA
About AIANTA
For nearly two decades, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the national center for providing tourism and recreational travel technical assistance, training and capacity building to American Indian nations. AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit association of Native American tribes and tribal businesses and was incorporated in 2002 to advance Indian Country tourism. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism that honors traditions and values.
About the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon, commemorates the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804 to 1806. A part of the National Trails System, the trail is administered by the National Park Service, but sites along the trail are managed by local, regional, state, tribal and private organizations. The Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail is the second longest of the 23 National Scenic and National Historic Trails.