The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) held a First Fish Ceremony on Tuesday, April 23, at the Nixyáawii Community School to celebrate the return of the first spring Chinook salmon of 2024.
The CTUIR annually celebrates the fish’s return to the reservation with songs and prayers as part of the tribes’ covenant to protect and enhance their First Foods.
“We know we’ve got to give thanks. It’s important to keep the songs and honor the ones that bring these songs and who remember what we are supposed to do every year,” CTUIR Chairman Gary I. Burke said. “I’m proud of our reservation, proud of our leadership, proud of our next generation. These are our gifts that the Creator gave us.”
The CTUIR’s Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC), along with Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries and General Council Interpreter Thomas Morning Owl, hosted the ceremony after being advised Monday by fishers on the Columbia River at Cascade Locks to anticipate the first fish on Tuesday.
After being caught, the fish had a green rope tied to its mouth, and it was set aside so that Fisheries staff members could bring it back to the reservation for the ceremony. Planners for the ceremony usually only have 24-48 hours’ notice.
Following the ceremony, the fish was to be cleaned, packaged and frozen. Because the 2024 spring Chinook run is estimated at only 122,000 – with the CTUIR’s share being approximately 1,500 – tribal officials must ensure that there is enough fish for ceremonial purposes.
Corinne Sams, CTUIR Board of Trustees Member at Large and FWC chair, said having the ceremony at the school allowed students as well as tribal and community members to attend.
“It’s important for us to continue to live the way of life that we’ve lived since time immemorial. It’s important for all our tribal membership and community to celebrate in the return of our foods,” she said. “We’ve made a lifelong covenant to speak on behalf of our foods. We pray yearly for the health of our fish and the health of our waterways. It truly is the lifeblood of who we are as a people. We are the Wykanish-Pum, the Salmon People.”
