Last year, ProPublica and OPB collaborated on an investigation detailing the disappearance of salmon from the Pacific Northwest. The reporting also revealed levels of toxic chemicals in Columbia River salmon that state health agencies deem unsafe when consumed at the quantities that many of the region’s 68,000-plus tribal people consume.
Over the last few decades, fish hatcheries were built to make up for the decline. Today about 80% of the salmon swimming up the Columbia River were bred in government-funded hatcheries. But those hatcheries have never — in 40 years — delivered the numbers of salmon the government promised. Poor ocean conditions have further ravaged salmon populations and the tribes’ harvests. Because of climate change, scientists project that salmon survival will decline by as much as 90% over the next 40 years.
During this public screening of “Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum (Salmon People): A Native Fishing Family’s Fight to Preserve a Way of Life,” a documentary film produced as a part of the series, attendees get a firsthand look at the plight of the salmon of the Columbia River and the Native people whose lives revolve around them.
When the salmon are running up the Columbia River, Native people are there with them. They live, eat and sleep at the river. Their children grow up at the river. They catch salmon for subsistence, for ceremonies and for their living.
This is the life of the Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum, the Salmon People. It is a life Columbia River tribal people have lived for generations and have fought for decades to protect.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the individuals who helped bring this film to life.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the screening will begin at 7:30 p.m. Please note that seating is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Appetizers will be served for the first arrivals.
Attendees do not need to register, but you can follow the “register” link on the left to learn more about the event.
Parking is available onsite.
Need an accommodation to make our event more accessible? Email us at events@propublica.org.