Rivers, Salmon, and Orcas – Earth Ministry/WA IPL

Native tribes, people of faith, those who farm and fish for a living – in fact all of us who need water or food to survive – celebrate the gifts of the Northwest Rivers and the life they support. Sacred and secular values come together when we care for our shared waters and common home.

The Hebrew Bible proclaims “wherever the river goes, every living creature will live, and there will be very many fish…” (Ezekiel 47:9). Indigenous traditions also give thanks to a generous Creator. According to the Umatilla, “Water was created first, life and land were created next, land promised to take care of all life, and all life promised to take care of the land.” In geologic time, the huge outpouring of basalt and the melting water from Earth’s ice ages engraved the great Columbia and Snake River watersheds that map makers and scientists study today. Regardless of origin, these rivers now give life to all of us.

The iconic fish, both salmon and steelhead, that once filled Washington’s rivers are now critically endangered. Southern Resident orcas also face extinction due to the scarce number of salmon making it out to sea. Earth Ministry/WAIPL is mobilizing people of faith across Washington to speak up for river management that will restore fish runs, fulfill treaty obligations, and ensure that all of the communities that are tied to the water will thrive.

Prayer fish at the 2019 Nimiipuu River Rendezvous

Snake River Salmon

Following the leadership of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce Tribe) to advocate for a free-flowing Lower Snake River to save salmon and steelhead.

Photo credit: Bonneville Power Administration

Chehalis River Dam

Preventing construction of a new dam on the Chehalis River that is opposed by the Quinault Nation and Chehalis Tribes.

Columbia River Treaty

The Columbia River Treaty is a 1964 agreement between the United States and Canada that controls the Columbia River’s flow across the border. This treaty directly impacts Northwesterners through its influence on fish, hydro-electricity, flood protection, agriculture, navigation, recreation, and more.

Photo credit: American Rivers. Columbia River in blue, Snake River in yellow.

Rivers & Salmon News & Events

United States/Canada Announce “Agreement in Principle” on CRT

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.

2023 All Our Relations Snake River Campaign

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 in Olympia then visit Portland, Pasco, Spokane, Nez Perce, ending in Seattle on Sunday, October 1st at Town Hall Seattle. The goal of this journey is to raise support of treaty

Continue reading 2023 All Our Relations Snake River Campaign

Recapping the 2023 Washington State Legislative Session

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:

Rivers and Salmon News Archive

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