Our Sacred Obligation

Summary: 
Our Sacred Obligation recounts the history of the Yurok Tribe’s struggle against the colonization of the Klamath River, which has sustained them since time immemorial.
Cultural Narrative: 

A land reclamation project and a series of dams have brought the Klamath River salmon populations to the brink of extinction. But the Yurok are fighting back. Propped up by their ancestors, and the recent success of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe on the Elwha River, the Yurok are using their sovereignty to fulfill their sacred obligation to bring the dams down and restore the river.

Related Content: 

Droughts, Dams, and the Threat to Salmon

Digital Heritage
Community
Yurok Tribe, Public User
Category
Native Sciences & Technology
Summary
Amy Cordalis shares about the 2002 water divergence plan that resulted in nearly 100,000 adult Chinook Salmon dying. Dam removal continues to be an important topic for Tribal sovereignty and the Environment.

Elwha Lower Dam and the Return of Salmon

Digital Heritage
Community
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Public User
Category
Activism & Advocacy, Cultural Roles
Summary
Chairwoman of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Francis Charles, talks about the first Salmon returning post dam removal and the role that Indigenous Women played in making it happen.
Protocol: 
Public User Community
Community: 
Public User, Yurok Tribe
Category: 
Sovereignty/Governance
Keywords: 
Dam Removal, Land Rights, Salmon, Land Reclamation, Restoration, Since Time Immemorial, Sovereignty
Original Date: 
2022
Creator: 
Children of the Setting Sun Productions
Contributor: 
Yurok Tribe
Language: 
English
Source: 
Yurok Tribe
Publisher: 
Children of the Setting Sun Productions
Type: 
Video
Format: 
24 minutes 19 seconds