CRITFC Executive Director Aja DeCoteau (Yakama), left, presented newly appointed national Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Bryan Mercier (Grand Ronde), center, with a blanket as part of an honoring ceremony at the September Commission meeting at the CRITFC main office in Portland. Yakama Nation Tribal Council member and CRITFC Chair Jeremy Takala, right, also gifted Mercier with a Pendleton blanket and fresh-caught salmon on behalf of Yakama Nation during the meeting. CRITFC photo/Gavin

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) honored Bureau of Indian Affairs Northwest Regional Director Bryan Mercier as he transitioned to a national office at the September Commission meeting held at CRITFC’s Portland headquarters. Mercier was selected as the new BIA Director.

As the Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the Northwest, Mercier played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of the Columbia River treaty tribes. He was particularly committed to improving the conditions for the tribal fishers and their families at the in-lieu and treaty fishing access sites along Nchi’ wána (the Sahaptin name for the Columbia River, pronounced “IN chee wana”). These sites, established by the U.S. government as compensation for traditional fishing areas lost due to the construction of the federal hydropower system, have long been plagued by inadequate living conditions. Mercier has been instrumental in championing efforts to improve these sites, ensuring tribal members who rely on them have access to safer, healthier living conditions.

At the honoring ceremony, CRITFC commissioners applauded Merciers’s efforts to secure over $20 million in funding to upgrade the access sites, which are critical for tribal fishers and their families. Mercier also oversaw an assessment aimed at refurbishing the sites to improve safety and health standards.

From left are Tracy Canard Goodluck, senior adviser to the assistant secretary for Indian affairs; Michael Broncheau, former CRITFC Fishing Site Maintenance Manager; Bryan Newland, assistant secretary for Indian affairs; Bryan Mercier, BIA Northwest Regional Director; Aja DeCoteau, CRITFC Executive Director. This 2022 photo was taken during a visit to several fishing access sites to see needs for improved water and sanitation systems. CRITFC Photo/Fivecrows

CRITFC Executive Director Aja DeCoteau spoke of Mercier’s work and his deep connection to both tribal sovereignty and willingness to listen to and learn from the tribal members he served. “Both at his time at the BPA and at the BIA, Bryan has been supportive of CRITFC and our members tribes,” said DeCoteau. “Bryan also developed good relationships with many staff and fishers along the river, especially at Celilo Village. He learned firsthand the importance of salmon to our tribes as well as the needs and issues that face the fishers.”

In addition to securing funds, Mercier worked to address staffing shortages at the BIA Regional Office, which led to better oversight of the access sites. His efforts to engage key members of the Biden Administration brought greater attention to the needs of the tribes, resulting in ongoing support for site improvements.

Reflecting on his work, Mercier shared, “When I first started, I went out to the sites and saw the conditions, and I did lose sleep about it. It’s not acceptable that we have Indigenous people living in those conditions. We’ve successfully secured millions to improve conditions, so fishers at all 31 sites get the quality of life they deserve.”

“In my new role, I won’t take my eye off the ball,” he added. I’m optimistic that I’ll be able to continue working from Portland, and I won’t be able to ignore you all. If there’s an opportunity to go out on the river, I’ll take advantage of it.”

DeCoteau also reflected on Mercier’s impact. “Through his work, Bryan showed his understanding of the significance and cultural connection that exercising our treaty fishing rights has to our culture, economy, and overall quality of life. His work has helped ensure future generations of tribal members can continue to live, fish, and thrive along the Columbia River,” DeCoteau said.

Erik Holt, Nez Perce Tribal Commissioner, offered heartfelt words as well, highlighting the importance of Mercier’s new role. “It’s great to hear you’re moving on to the bright city lights of D.C. For me, I’m proud to say that we have someone we know locally going there on behalf of the tribes who knows our issues and understands them. That’s the most important part of moving into that position—understanding where we come from and those issues. That’s paramount to what you’re doing on behalf of us.”

Holt continued, “There’s going to be times when our voices become muffled, and you’ll have to be that voice for us and be strong. I’m glad to see you moving up. The measure of a warrior is best reflected by the sacrifices never spoken.”

On behalf of CRITFC, DeCoteau presented Mercier with a Pendleton blanket featuring salmon in a mountain stream, remarking, “This will always remind you of the fish and our people on the Columbia River.”

“There’s going to be times when our voices become muffled, and you’ll have to be that voice for us and be strong…”
—Erik Holt, Nez Perce

Yakama Tribal Council member and CRITFC Chair Jeremy Takala added, “I appreciate your service to the region since 2018, especially for bringing out the [Department of] Interior staff to the in-lieu treaty fishing access sites. I’ll always remember that day, when you and others saw firsthand the conditions of these sites and the upgrades needed. You brought awareness to those issues, and I know you’ll continue to do what’s best in your new role. We’re always going to be thinking about you personally.”

Takala also gifted Mercier with a blanket on behalf of the Yakama Nation as well as salmon Takala himself fished from the Columbia River.

Mercier’s leadership and vision have not only brought about tangible improvements for the region’s tribes but have also strengthened the federal relationship between CRITFC and its member tribes, ensuring that treaty rights remain a central focus in future discussions. His transition marks a bittersweet moment for the Northwest’s tribal communities, but the legacy of his work, particularly around Columbia River fishing access sites, will continue to shape the path forward.

By Jill-Marie Gavin, CRITFC Communications