Jovan Humphrey

I learned today that locally the Yakama and Lummi nations are calling for a totally demolition of three local damns on the Columbia River. While the dames provide about 40% of the electric power in our region, they are also directly responsible for the near extinction of local salmon and orca populations. The tribes have made it clear that it's either the fish or the dams. Bonneville Power is at this time unwilling to demolish the dams siting that renewable hydropower is necessary for the protection against the global climate crisis. but it seems to me that if local animal populations are endangered by these dams then the dams aren't a proper solution to providing power to our region. Pacificorp had similar reservations about demolishing dams region a few years ago. Eventually they came to see that comparing the cost of demolishing dams compared to investing in fish ladders made the more environmental choice the more profitable one. the dams were demolished and the salmon cam back. I'm going to write to and call my representatives in the next few days to see if they can inspire Bonneville to see the light.

https://www.opb.org/news/article/pacific-northwest-tribes-remove-columbia-river-dams/

The food sovereignty documentary I watch, Regaining Food Sovereignty (https://www.pbs.org/video/legacy-documentary-regaining-food-sovereignty/) focused specifically on food sovereignty issues of the Red Lake Nation and Yankton Sioux Nation. I learned that while the national average of people with Diabetes is about 8%, among Native Americans populations it's about 16%-- and a large reason for that is due to the loss of traditional food cultivation techniques be cause of colonization efforts. Native people became dependent on government commodity programs that heavily emphasized white flour, rice, and pasta. From the perspective of the people on the video human health is an integral part of ecological health. The local foods were best suited for people who grew in that area. Prior to industrialization of food supplies indigenous people rarely suffered from diet related ailments like heart disease and Diabetes. Food sovereignty seems to be less about transitioning TO modern food systems but AWAY from them. By reintroducing native foods and food cultivation practices, not only can Native people regain their cultural heritage, but reclaim their health.

Specifically I learned about the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and aimed to study issues of conservation and land acquisition. The CTGR and other tribal agencies have teamed up with the Willamette Falls Trust and other partners to revitalize a previously under utilized, and restricted part of the Falls. The CTGR also purchased a large section of land on the River. The tribe(s) seeks to restore their resources and fishing heritage, and to reclaim what was taken by force. Not only is this important in name of Equity (giving people what they need and deserve), but it is also important for the restoration of beauty and maintenance this area. While the land may have previously been blocked for enterprise, CTGR wishes to preserve the area for generations to come-- preservation we might not have otherwise.

https://youtu.be/vt6p81XXrmo

https://www.grandronde.org/press-media/tribal-announcements/grand-ronde-tribe-finalizes-willamette-falls-purchase/

https://www.grandronde.org/media/1487/willamette-falls-faq.pdf