Researcher(s):
Chrislyn DeMattos Henry Chapman Grace Boyd
ENVS course(s): 330 Initiated: January 2018 Completed: April 2018 Go to project site
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Many indigenous populations throughout the world experience legal difficulties when advocating for their rights at either the state, national, or international levels. Tribes and populations can have complications due to the disconnect between western and indigenous beliefs and practices. This paper aims to explore the relationship and intersection of competing cultural, legal, and spiritual viewpoints of tribes and local governments in the Columbia River Basin in the Pacific Northwest, and how they can be better managed to foster a cooperative and beneficial environment for all parties involved. Specifically, we have examined fish count data to receive an estimation of salmon population that can better inform future policy and laws. In addition, we analyzed an interview with Stuart Ellis of the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission to have a better understanding of the cultural importance of fish and water and to learn more about CRITFC’s role in political activism. We speculate that with better communication and accurate data collection policies and laws in the Pacific Northwest will help to give agency to the affected tribes so that they can effectively advocate for themselves on a larger scale.