As we close out 2024, we reflect on a year of monumental events, milestones, and celebrations that highlight the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission’s dedication to cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment. Each month brought unique opportunities to honor our shared traditions, advocate for tribal sovereignty, and support sustainable practices. Here is a look back at the moments that defined 2024 for CRITFC and our member tribes.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the landmark Boldt Decision, a pivotal moment in affirming treaty fishing rights for Columbia River tribes. A commemorative event held at Muckleshoot honored this victory, showcasing how it has shaped tribal fisheries and strengthened sovereignty across generations​.

The first annual Two Cultures, One Community Powwow, held in February in Pendleton, Ore., celebrated the unity and shared heritage of local tribes and communities. Vibrant dancing, drumming, and storytelling created a memorable event that brought people together​.

From April 15-17, 2024, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) hosted the National Tribal Leaders Climate Summit at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort in Auburn, Washington. The summit’s theme, “Honoring Traditions, Shaping Futures,” emphasized the commitment to preserving cultural heritage while forging a sustainable future for upcoming generations. Key discussions included empowering young tribal leaders in climate action, nurturing well-being in tribal communities across borders, and exploring sovereignty, stewardship, and global perspectives.

Held on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Nixyaawii Root Feast honored First Foods and the sacred bond between people and the land. Community members gathered to harvest, prepare, and share meals at the Mission Longhouse.

The second annual Columbia River Round Dance to Honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) brought healing, laughter, fellowship and awareness to the Nch’i Wana (Columbia River) community. More than 550 people attended the round dance, held at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center  the night of May 3.

The Miss Indian Northwest Pageant returned in 2024 after nearly a 30-year hiatus. Young leaders demonstrated their cultural knowledge and pride at this year’s pageant, showcasing regalia, storytelling, and skills that celebrate their identities during the talent portion. The Miss Indian Northwest was crowned during the Delta Park Pow Wow June 14.

The Delta Park Powwow is annual event held in Portland Oregon. The event highlighted the diversity and richness of tribal cultures living within the metro area. The event went from June 14-16 and brought dances, vendors, and culture to the community.

This annual celebration of treaty rights brought together families to honor shared history and traditional practices through song, dance, and ceremonies. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs holds the event during the last weekend of June of each year.

One of the summer’s largest gatherings on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Wildhorse Powwow celebrates tribal culture with spectacular dance competitions and drum contests the first weekend in July.

Over 600 attendees gathered at Clackamette Park in Oregon City, Oregon July 12, to honor the Pacific lamprey, a sacred First Food for the region’s tribes. Hosted by the Yakama Nation, the event celebrated the enduring relationship between the tribes, Pacific lamprey, and Willamette Falls. The celebration featured traditional dances, educational exhibits, and boat tours to the falls, highlighting collaborative conservation efforts. Supporting sponsors included the Yakama Nation Fisheries Program, CRITFC, Metro Regional Government, Willamette Falls Trust, and Meyer Memorial Trust.

Each July, the Tamkaliks Celebration in Wallowa, Oregon, honors the enduring presence of the Niimiipuu (Nez Perce) in the Wallowa Valley. Established in 1990, this three-day event features traditional drums, songs, dancing, and a horse parade. Participants camp along the Wallowa River, and the festivities culminate on Sunday with a Washat service followed by the Friendship Feast. The feast includes salmon, deer, elk, buffalo, and potluck dishes contributed by the community. Approximately 450 people attend annually, fostering a spirit of unity and cultural celebration.

The 2024 Salmon Camp was held on the Yakama Nation at Camp Chaparral. Campers explored tribal fisheries, learned about salmon biology, and crafted cedar baskets at Salmon Camp from July, nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards from July 31-August 5.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited Yakama Nation homelands in Cle Elum, WA Wednesday, July 24th, to celebrate the reintroduction of sockeye salmon in the Yakima River Basin and conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new state-of-the-art “helix” juvenile fish passage structure at the Cle Elum Dam. The day also featured a groundbreaking ceremony for an adult passage facility, which aims to be fully operational in 2026.

From August 25-30, 2024, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) hosted the Tribal Climate Camp in Corbett, Oregon, situated on the homelands of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Participants engaged in collaborative learning to enhance climate resilience within tribal communities. A highlight of the camp was a visit to the HeHe Longhouse on the Warm Springs Reservation, where attendees were welcomed with a traditional dinner.

NAYA’s Annual Neerchokikoo Powwow is a celebration of Native American history, culture, and cultural arts. Since 2010, the powwow has welcomed the community to gather to celebrate culture through dance, music, art and food. The Neerchokikoo Powwow also honors partners, volunteers and donors whose contributions to NAYA’s work has enhanced the lives of our youth, families and elders over the past year (information gathered from NAYAPDX.org

The Water Ceremony at Cathedral Park, (organized by the Portland Harbor Community Coalition) an event honoring the sacredness of water, brought together Indigenous communities for a day of prayer, dance, and education. The event was held Sept. 8. The Cathedral Park sits at the base of the St. John’s Bridge along the banks of the Willamette River, a site for the Columbia River Plateau tribes have gathered at since time immemorial. CRITFC Commissioner and Klickitat River Chief Wilbur Slockish, Jr. (Yakama Nation) emphasized the need to protect and restore the land and water around the river, echoing the values shared by all who gathered.

Held annually the second full week in September, the Pendleton Round-Up brings together tribes from across the country. The rodeo and show has been held each year since 2010. Tribal community members travel hundreds of miles to set up teepees in their historical family camping spots and stay the week to showcase their cultural heritage and rodeo prowess.

At the Nov. 10 Trail Blazers’ Native American Heritage Night, the Moda Center highlighted Indigenous culture and heritage with performances, traditional regalia, Native artists, and community vendors. Guided by insights from CRITFC’s Anna Allen, consultant JR Lilly, and local tribal leaders, the event reflected Portland’s location on the ceded lands of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the Usual and Accustomed lands of the Columbia River treaty tribes. The Blazers are building ongoing relationships with Native communities, with a focus on education and partnership beyond the event.

After the December Commission meeting adjourned yesterday, Commissioners, staff, families, and invited guests gathered for CRITFC’s annual employee appreciation luncheon. Tribal and CRITFC leadership took the opportunity to thank the 153 employees working in six locations on behalf of the four member tribes in the work to put fish back in the rivers and protect the watershed where fish live, protect tribal treaty fishing rights, provide fisher services, share salmon culture, and maintain an organization of excellence in the service of the Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Nez Perce tribes.