Video: Treaty tribes honor first salmon, bless fishermen
In the Pacific Northwest, many treaty Indian tribes hold First Salmon Ceremonies and Blessings of the Fleet to honor the salmon that sustain them, and protect the fishermen who procure…
Upper Skagit Tribe testing tangle nets to study steelhead population
The Upper Skagit Tribe is exploring the possibility of using a tangle net to learn more about Skagit River steelhead.
Last year, the tribe collected scales to determine the age and life history of 75 steelhead harvested over a two-week period during its ceremonial and subsistence fishery. But from a scientific standpoint, researchers need more than 75 samples and a longer sample period to learn about the steelhead run. This year, tribal natural resources staff are investigating whether a tangle net could enable them to sample a greater number of fish without increasing the impact to the run.
Tangle nets are similar to gillnets, but have a smaller mesh size, allowing fish to be released.
Manila clams are harvested for the Upper Skagit Tribe's Blessing of the Fleet
Upper Skagit Tribe enhancing shellfish beds in Samish Bay
The tribe acquired 80 acres of beds with money from a 2007 settlement between treaty tribes and non-tribal commercial shellfish growers. The settlement compensates tribes for lost opportunities to gather shellfish at traditional areas, enabling them to acquire and enhance tidelands elsewhere.
“We want to develop these beaches to provide resources for tribal members long after the settlement money is gone,” said Scott Schuyler, Upper Skagit’s natural resources director. “Our goal is to have a self-sustaining operation within the next five to 10 years.” (more…)
Congressman visits Upper Skagit restoration project
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen visited the Hansen Creek restoration site yesterday to learn about the Upper Skagit Tribe’s work with Skagit County and other agencies to restore salmon habitat and create jobs.
The Hansen Creek project received $988,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Larsen heard from the tribe’s natural resources director Doreen Maloney and Skagit County Commissioner Sharon Dillon, among others. (more…)
Upper Skagit Tribe Uses Groundbreaking Methods in Hansen Creek Project
SEDRO-WOOLLEY -- The Upper Skagit Tribe is using an unusual mechanized tree-planting device to plant more than 50,000 trees in the Hansen Creek floodplain. The tribe is working with WildLands…
SVH: Upper Skagit Tribe’s Hansen Creek project under way
The Skagit Valley Herald has a story about the Upper Skagit Tribe’s project to restore habitat along Hansen Creek in Sedro-Woolley:
Crews are moving acres of dirt and rocks as part of an effort to restore the historic floodplain of Hansen Creek to help control flooding and increase salmon and steelhead numbers.
When the excavation is complete, a new setback levee will also protect 35 acres and 140 acres of wetlands and stream habitat at the 726-acre Northern State Recreation Area for recreational purposes. (more…)
Podcast: Clam digs bring Upper Skagit tribal members together
Every year, the Upper Skagit Tribe holds a couple of community clam digs for tribal members of all ages. "It's important for our members to get out there exercising our…
Upper Skagit Tribe buys waterfront property in La Conner
The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe recently purchased 6 acres on the La Conner waterfront, including a warehouse and small pier, for $6.8 million.
The land, acquired from La Conner Pier LLC, is directly across the Swinomish Channel from the Swinomish Indian Reservation.
About a half-dozen organizations lease property on the land formerly owned by the Roche Harbor-based limited liability corporation. Among the lessees are the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and two manufacturers, Alpac Components Co. and Comptex Inc. (more…)
Tribes receive recovery funding from NOAA for restoration projects
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently awarded $16.4 million from its American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 funding to Washington state. Each of the six projects directly or indirectly involve seven western Washington tribes. Four tribes are direct recipients of funding; the other two involve either tribal contributions or benefit from the project.
Upper Skagit Tribe teaches children tribal ties to nature
The Skagit Valley Herald covered the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe’s annual Kids’ Fishing Derby:
Wriggling and splashing, a rainbow trout escaped 3-year-old Ella Simpson’s hook. The half-pint-sized daughter of a fisherman gamely tried again.
With a little adult help, Ella of La Conner caught her first fish from one of the tanks at the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe’s hatchery.
“It’s a fish,” said Ella, holding up the plastic bag that held her prize.
Her brother Ethan, 5, also caught a trout. A more experienced fisherman, he knew how to tell fishing stories. (more…)