EM/WA IPL has collaborated with The Columbia River Treaty Non-Governmental Organization Caucus to forefront the regional value and responsibility to recover salmon and prioritize tribal communities whose traditional territories and foods center around the river.
The U.S. Government Commitments in Support of the “Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative” and in Partnership with the Six Sovereigns lays a clear path forward for free-flowing river
Artwork credit: © A. Cyaltsa Finkbonner, 2023 Starting Sept 23rd, 2023, the intertribal nonprofit Se’Si’Le’ will join with coalition partners, including Native Organizers Alliance, Nimíipuu Protecting the Environment, and KHIMSTONIK begin an eight-day journey across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho (September 23 - October 1). The journey starts…
The 2023 Washington state legislative session ended April 23. Thanks in part to the faithful advocacy of the Earth Ministry/WAIPL community we have a lot to celebrate! Here’s how our priority bills and budget items ended up:
Our staff recently joined Earth Ministry/WAIPL community members and partners in Spokane to speak out faithfully for environmental justice and build connections. We held a Spokane Community GTN Xpress Teach-In and supported Catholic high school and college students from across the region at the Ignatian Advocacy Summit at Gonzaga University. The following weekend our staff gathered with partners at the Hope for Creation Conference, hosted by the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Whitworth University’s Office of Church Engagement, and The Fig Tree, to celebrate Earth Day.
Jay Julius, former chairman of Lummi Nation and president of Se'Si'Le wrote this piece for Earth Day in the Sierra Club magazine about salmon and orca extinction and the WA Catholic Bishops' Statement on Caring for Creation in the Lower Snake River Region. He writes,"We need to ask the question: According to what higher moral authority are these extinctions allowed? What is the price to be paid by the Salmon Nations, whose lifeway, cultural identity, and spirituality relies on our salmon relatives?"
Restoring the Lower Snake River is the cornerstone of a regional salmon recovery strategy. By taking action during the 2023 legislative session, WA State can help lead this holistic effort which has the potential for far reaching impacts including the recovery of endangered salmon and steelhead, investment in transportation, agriculture, and clean energy infrastructure.
by Mary Stamp from The Fig Tree The five Catholic bishops of Washington State developed and signed, "Caring for Creation and the Common Good in the Lower Snake River Region," this fall, reported Sr. Jessica Zimmerle, advocacy director at Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power and Light (WAIPL)—who supports this project with the intertribal nonprofit Se'Si'Le—and the Washington State Catholic Conference. Photo credit: Bureau of Land Management
The five Catholic bishops of Washington State released a statement proclaiming the need to care for creation and recognize Native Nations as the principal dialogue partners when addressing the endangered salmon population of the Lower Snake River. Photo credit: Stephen Brashear
This guest opinion piece about salmon restoration was written by Rep Debra Lekanoff. Photo Credit: Ingrid Taylar
Earth Ministry/WAIPL is honored to to have co-hosted an interactive webinar regarding the Columbia River Treaty on October 4 with leaders representing Columbia Basin tribes and Save Our wild Salmon.
This article on the advocacy to add healthy ecosystems as a core element of the Columbia River Treaty includes a couple quotations from our advocacy Director, Jessica Zimmerle! Photo Credit: Gord Mckenna
In October 2021 Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray announced a joint federal-state process to develop and deliver a comprehensive solution to protect and recover Lower Snake River salmon and invest in the region’s communities. Photo credit: Richard Saxon
Paths to Understanding's Challenge 2.0 series recently featured conversations with Native leaders during the Snake River to Salish Sea Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole Journey in a three part series.
Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray have released a draft report studying the feasibility of replacing the services currently provided by the Lower Snake River dams. As people of faith, we bring a unique moral message to this conversation around the future of the Lower Snake River. We are centering the need of our neighbors, with justice for Native Nations at the forefront, by calling for solutions that will restore salmon facing extinction AND bring everyone forward together. The new draft report shows us the way forward.
