Tribal Communities

Pending WWTA review. This page is republished from the early-2010s ndwt.org content. Some terminology and partner references may be out of date and are flagged for review by the Washington Water Trails Association before this page is considered authoritative. Open an issue at github.com/ivanoats/ndwt-ol-chakra if you spot something that needs correcting.

The Northwest Discovery Water Trail corridor is rich in Indigenous heritage. The land along the Clearwater, Snake, and Columbia rivers has been home to many tribal nations for thousands of years; their traditional homelands extend far beyond the borders of any present-day reservation. Each tribe has its own origin, culture, history, and value system, with shared pride in heritage and traditions and a deep relationship with the land and water.

Visiting tribal lands and events

Respect tribal property, privacy, customs, and ceremonies as you would in anyone else's home. Many reservations host social and cultural events such as tribal powwows and rodeos that are open to the public. Some events and ceremonies require special permission to attend, and others are restricted to tribal members and practitioners. To find a calendar of public events or to ask about attending, contact the relevant tribal office directly. Always ask permission before photographing ceremonies or participating in tribal events.

Tribal sovereignty

Each tribe has an inherent right to govern actions within its own jurisdiction. Sovereignty means tribes have the rights to live freely and to develop socially, economically, culturally, spiritually, and politically. Tribes have independent governance, and states are precluded from interfering with a tribe's self-government.

Areas of special significance

Many places along the corridor are sacred ground. Be aware that tribal people have occupied this region for thousands of years and that landmarks you encounter may carry deep cultural and spiritual significance.

• Do not disturb areas of sacred significance or places where there may be evidence of religious ceremony and practice.
• Do not disturb those engaged in spiritual ceremonies.
• Do not move or disturb offerings or other items left in specific places. These are spiritual offerings, not souvenirs.

Tribal fisheries on the Columbia

Watch for tribal gillnets during open-fishery seasons between the Umatilla River and Bonneville Dam. Nets are set from shore out into the river — up to 300 feet — with a buoy marking the downstream end. Some are anchored off old barges, bridges, or sunken anchors, so stay alert during fishing season.

In-lieu fishing sites were built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to give tribal fishing families access close to traditional fishing sites that were inundated when the dams were built. You may also see traditional fishing platforms — wooden scaffolds on stilts along the river's edge. These are family-built and family-owned; do not walk onto them without permission.

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is a coordinating agency for the four Columbia River treaty tribes — the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe — and protects fish of the Columbia River Basin and the treaty fishing rights of its member tribes.

To learn more about the tribal nations along the Northwest Discovery Water Trail corridor, contact each tribal office directly or visit their websites.

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Originally published on ndwt.org; reused with permission from the Washington Water Trails Association — see project NOTICE. This page is pending WWTA review before it is considered authoritative — see the notice at the top.