CRITFC

The Earth has always provided for us. Now it's our turn—all of us—to give back. #EarthDay #ProtectTheSacred #WeAreAllStewards

Whether through traditional ecological knowledge, modern conservation efforts, or simply making more conscious daily choices, each of us has a vital role in ensuring clean water, healthy salmon runs, and protected habitats for generations to come.

This Earth Day, we invite everyone to join us in recommitting to this shared responsibility.

In these challenging times, when environmental protections face unprecedented threats and public lands are increasingly vulnerable, we must unite as voices for the Earth. The salmon, the rivers, the forests cannot speak in courtrooms or legislative chambers—they rely on all of us to defend them.

No matter your background or heritage, all who live in what is now the United States inherit both the bounty of this land and the obligation to protect it. The interconnected web of life that sustains us knows no borders or boundaries—we are all in this together.

Our ancestors taught us that when we take care of the Earth, the Earth takes care of us. This wisdom has guided tribal stewardship practices for thousands of years and speaks to a universal truth: that all people who call these lands home share in this sacred responsibility.

The Columbia River tribes—Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Nez Perce—have always understood that we do not own the land, water, or creatures that share this world with us; rather, we have a sacred obligation to protect them for future generations.

Today on Earth Day, we honor the sacred relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Earth that has sustained our communities since time immemorial.

Buck on the River: Jesse “Buck” Jones' Journey Through the Columbia River Gorge HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Jesse “Buck” Jones – horseman, star basketball player, and an advocate for tribal fishers on the Columbia River – shared his personal

“The most important part of my job is working for my people,” says Cayuse tribal member Buck Jones. Jones recently shared his story at Mt Adams Institute’s Sense of Place series. critfc.org/2025/02/20/b...

Happy Valentine’s Day! 💘💝

Flatlining Salmon and Steelhead Numbers in Columbia Basin Both a Success and Cautionary Tale - Underscore Native News A December report from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council shows a rolling 10-year average return of 2.3 million adult salmon and steelhead to the Columbia River Basin annually, higher than t...

“Within our culture, everything has its purpose and its place,” CRITFC Fisheries Science manager Donella Miller (Yakama) said. “So we can’t just look at it as salmon restoration — we’re working to heal Mother Earth.”
www.underscore.news/land/flatlin...

Reports of Navajo people being detained in immigration sweeps sparks concern from tribal leaders The DOJ argued in court that Indigenous people don't have birthright citizenship, even though they have for 100 years

Tribal leaders at last week’s commission meeting shared concerns over tribal identification methods, particularly for tribal youth. azmirror.com/2025/01/24/r...

“…be good stewards of the salmon and the rivers where they live, so this sacred First Food can sustain our culture today and for future generations. This is what it means to be Wy-kan-ush-pum (Salmon People).” —CRITFC Exec Dir DeCoteau at the Portland city Zenith Energy work session.

CRITFC Executive Director Aja DeCoteau addressing the Portland City Council at the Zenith Energy Portland Terminal work session. She is speaking of the importance of salmon, river protections, and tribal consultation.