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Who We Are

Salmon are one of the most important aspects of the cultures of the Indigenous peoples of the Columbia River Basin. They could rightly be called Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum or “Salmon People” for how completely these sacred fish shaped our cultures, diets, societies, and religions and continue to do so today.



Our Mission & Vision

Since time immemorial, the tribes and bands along the Columbia River have lived intertwined with the fish that run the river’s course. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Nez Perce Tribe have unique cultural practices, dialects, homelands, and histories. Nonetheless, the tribes share a common vision of the significance of salmon.

The salmon was put here by the Creator for our use as part of the cycle of life. It gave to us, and we, in turn, gave back to it through our ceremonies. — Carla HighEagle, Nez Perce elder

For millennia, the tribes managed legendary fisheries, most notably at Celilo Falls. Even traditional harvests that took between 6 and 11 million fish from the river each year for ceremonial, subsistence, and trading purposes left plenty of salmon to feed the land and replenish that abundance—time-tested evidence of sustainability. After water, salmon is the first food honored in tribal ceremonies. Additionally, salmon plays a central role in the region’s environment. Salmon is a keystone species supporting Pacific Northwest ecosystems, a fact stressed in tribal legend and only now becoming fully appreciated by science.

Tribal researchers, biologists, and scientists are working to combine Indigenous and Western science to help protect and restore salmon throughout the Columbia Basin.

Together, the four tribes formed the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission in 1977, charging it with the mission of “ensuring a unified voice in the overall management of the fishery resources.” In the decades since its founding, this organization has grown to become an internationally known and respected champion of tribal rights and resource protection and an authoritative entity working on behalf of native fish and native people in the Columbia River Basin. Its staff of legal experts, biologists, hydrologists, enforcement officers, and public information specialists supports fisheries management, fishery science, fisheries enforcement, policy development, outreach, and watershed restoration. It also supports the tribes’ natural resources programs with technical expertise and regional coordination.

 CRITFC operates on a consensus model. Each member tribe has one vote and action may only be taken on the agreement of all four tribes. This unity gives the four tribes an ability to speak with one voice amid the many governmental and non-governmental voices of salmon management. This unified voice is invaluable in the member tribes work with local, state, tribal, regional, and federal representatives on habitat restoration and protection, hydropower operations, harvest management, and hatchery reform.

CRITFC brings tribal views to the table in an effort to ensure that salmon are provided the respect accorded by tribal cultural beliefs and required under law. It also allows the tribes to develop common strategies to educate non-Indians on the importance of salmon to the environment, culture, economy, and ultimately the entire region’s well being. No other entity in the Columbia River Basin acts with such purpose.

The organization provides support as requested to each of its member tribes’ fisheries programs to support their efforts to restore salmon and watersheds within their own territories. CRITFC, together with its member tribes’ fisheries programs, enables the tribes to advocate views and protect treaty rights at all levels. In working to restore salmon and rivers, its work benefits all the citizens of the region. By accepting the challenge of restoring salmon to the rivers and streams and implementing the treaties, the four tribes acting together through the of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission have turned the tide and restored the commitment that tribal people expected under their treaties.

What We Do

Science & Restoration

CRITFC provides its member tribes and the region with invaluable biological research, fisheries management, hydrology, climate change analysis, and other science to support the protection and restoration of Columbia Basin salmon, lamprey, and sturgeon.
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Tribes & Culture

The Columbia Plateau tribes have a connection to salmon and other First Foods native to the region, have extensive relationships with one another, and a shared commitment to protecting and restoring salmon to ensure future generations can have this sacred food.
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Climate Change

Climate change represents a threat to both the ecosystem and traditional cultures that are based on them. The tribes are preparing for this change, including climate forecasting and habitat projects designed to help cool down tributaries.

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Tribal Fishers

Get the latest fishery announcements, information about safe fishing practices, or review upcoming food safety workshops. Learn more about CRITFC's Salmon Marketing Program to support the needs of Native fishers who sell their harvest to the public.
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With Your Support We Can Sustain Salmon For Future Generations To Enjoy

News

Contaminants Found in Juvenile Lamprey Contaminants Found in Juvenile Lamprey

Recent research by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission found that high levels of pesticides, flame retardants, and mercury in Pacific lamprey may be...

Revised ID, WA Water Quality Standards Revised ID, WA Water Quality Standards

Both Washington and Idaho are moving forward to update their surface water quality standards.  These standards determine the “safe” level of pollution that industry and municipal wastewater...

Tribes Meet With EPA Administrator Tribes Meet With EPA Administrator

Tribal leaders met with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy in the CRITFC commission chambers in Portland on April 15. Administrator McCarthy is President Obama’s chief...

Yakama Nation Floodplain Enhancement Yakama Nation Floodplain Enhancement

by Laura Gephart, critfc watershed projects coordinator Willy Dick Creek, a tributary of Toppenish Creek, has four miles of available steelhead spawning habitat. The creek only produced an average...