Klamath River Indian
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  Cannery on Yurok Reservation Planned: Funding Campaign, Indybay, posted to KBC 3/15/12

 

 

Photos sent to KBC  of Yurok Tribe netting salmon at the mouth of the Klamath River. "How are the Salmon supposed to get passed the Yurok tribe to get to Klamath in the first place?"

(Klamath) Tribal group conducts restoration projects, gets on-the-job training, H&N 1/26/12. "The project at the Sycan Marsh is a partnership between the Forest Warriors; the Nature Conservancy, which manages a 30,000-acre preserve there; and Lomakatsi Restoration Project, an Ashland nonprofit that develops and oversees restoration projects...was founded with a nearly $1.5 million federal stimulus grant"

River Access on Reservation Denied (by Hoopas to non tribal people), Two Rivers Tribune 12/29/11. “The reservation has always been open access for fishing as far back as I can remember,” Duggan said. “There’s people who have been fishing down there since the ‘40s. We’ve got people that come from all over the state and some from out of state to fish for steelhead.”

Karuk Eco-Cultural Resources Management Plan, including map of their ancestral land, posted to KBC 12/7/11

Oregon Set to Enact Strict, New Water Quality Standards to Satisfy EPA, Tribes, Marten Law 8/23/11. "The new standard for fish consumption is 10 times higher than the previous one, and assumes Oregonians will eat 23 eight-ounce meals of Oregon caught fish per month. That rate of consumption translates into dramatically lower permissible discharge levels for 106 pollutants...which in turn could dramatically increase treatment costs for municipal sewage treatment, agriculture, and many manufacturing industries, including paper mills at a time when those industries are already struggling."

No salmon above Klamath River stateline, by James Waddell, Karuk People tribal member 4/14/11. From A. L. Kroeber’s “HANDBOOK OF THE INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA” “The salmon are said not to run into the Klamath Lake or above, and streams are much smaller and standing bodies of water infinitely more important than in the northwest.  …” Yurok Tribe seeks input on draft legislation; plan seeks transfer of federal land to tribe's control, Times-Standard 3/26/11. "The proposed transfer of Redwood National Park and Six Rivers National Forest lands was first publicized in 2004..." Yurok Tribe Doubles Land Base, North Coast Journal, posted to KBC 4/16/11

Letter to veterans officer by Karuk Tribal member and U.S. veteran James Waddell, posted to KBC 3/2/11. Waddell is being denied veteran services.

Where have all the fish gone?
California's Hupa tribe wars over fish, High Country News, posted to KBC 2/5/11. "This stretch of the river -- known simply as "the Gorge" -- was packed with nets last summer, Pole recalls. "I was dodging nets," he says. "You could actually come down here and see the fish stacked up" trying to get through...(Hupu Indian Pole is) critical of Hupas who sell fish to outsiders when many tribe members can't get salmon themselves. "You have to feed your people first."  Fisheries director, Orcutt already makes close to $100,000 a year. In 2009, Orcutt, his brother, Kevin, and his wife, Vivienna, sold more than 800 fish to Wild Planet, for about $32,000. Last year, the family made $19,000 selling fish to the company -- accounting for more than half the fish that Hupa tribe members sold to it."
Clamor Along The Klamath, Sports Illustrated Si Vault, 6/4/79. "Del Norte County Sheriff Tom Hopper and his men stopped a truck on Highway 101 carrying 650 salmon and one steelhead worth some $60,000 to $70,000. " Klamath River fish are being sold to points as distant as Reno, San Diego, Los Angeles, Denver and "maybe even as far as New York..." As told by Yurok, "The Indians who are now gillnetting the salmon to death are fishing drift nets in the mouth of the Klamath. They say they're fishing 'traditionally.' That's bunk, too. Nobody ever fished the mouth in the old days. It was too far away, and who could paddle those big, cumbersome canoes back upstream? These gill-netters say that the old Yuroks traded salmon with other tribes, and thus they justify commercial fishing. That's a lie. The old Indians believed it to be a sin to sell or barter fish. There used to be a fall run of big salmon in the Klamath—we called them 'kings.' They were big fish, 60 pounds or more. We wiped that run out about 1945."
Secretary Salazar, Assistant Secretary Echo Hawk Submit Draft Consultation Policy to Tribal Leaders; Framework Provides Greater Role for Tribes in Federal Decisions Affecting Indian Country, DOI 1/14/11 Yurok Tribe pursuing acquisition of Redwood National Park land, NY Times and Crescent City Triplicate, posted to KBC 1/2/11 Obama Announces Support for UN Resolution Stating 'Indigenous Peoples Have the Right to the Lands ... They Have Traditionally Owned, Occupied or Otherwise Used or Acquired', CNS News, posted to KBC 12/22/10
Disputed Territory; Federal employees and the Yurok Tribe extend the age-old battle over American terra firma, North Coast Journal, posted to KBC 11/26/10. "...Yurok tribe is quietly working on a bill that would give them ownership of thousands of acres of public land, including parts of Redwood National Park and Six Rivers National Forest, plus marine sanctuary waters surrounding Reading Rock, a sea stack five miles offshore that’s currently under the auspices of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management..."
Paying tribute to tradition: Thousands come together for 29th annual Intertribal Gathering, Times Standard, posted to KBC 11/26/10. "
The reservation straddles the Klamath River about 90 miles north of Eureka, and much of it is still without electricity, something Myers is working to change this year with the help of federal grants." A KBC reader sent us this question: "If they want the Klamath dams out why would they think they are entitled to electricity?"
Klamath Tribe Restoration Act 1986
Native America in the 20th Century 1994. Money given to Klamath Tribes for land purchases throughout the century, and their vote to terminate.
(Ruby) Pipeline creates tribal dissent, Indian Country 9/27/10. " At least one of them, the Klamath Tribes – Klamath, Modoc, Yahooskin – cannot support the project...

Tribe braces for trouble during ritual on Lake Shasta, LA Times 7/24/10. "In 2006, the tribe performed its first such ceremony in 80 years."

New faces for tribal council Klamath Tribes elect chairman, vice chairman, council members, H&N , posted to KBC 4/28/10
Letter to "All Karuk Tribal Members" from Dan Effman, 4/4/10: "I have found in my travels that many Karuk people are fed up with the way our affairs are being run, misrepresentation, nepotism, not being treated equal even though we are counted, and not letting us have a voice.  I have also found out that people are afraid to speak up if they work for the Tribe or need their assistance."
Big changes at Langdon Farms; Steps underway to place golf course land into trust for Klamath Tribes, Canby Herald, posted to KBC 2/26/10. "Klamath Tribes must use the Klamath Restoration Act to acquire the property — a process that would have to run through the BIA and would exempt the property from local or state land use laws...Maletis family recently hired Portland-based public relations firm Hubbell Communications, whose clients include the ...Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust..."
Klamath Tribes Dispute, H&N, posted 3/1/10

Klamath Tribes’ court restraining order issued, H&N 2/23/10

Klamath tribal dispute - Group says tribal leaders were recalled, shouldn’t sign water deal, H&N 2/18/10 Deputies called to tribal office, H&N 2/17/10. "A large group of Klamaths claim the existing tribal council was legally recalled at recent general council meetings...Some claim a lack of transparency regarding tribal finances."
Klamath Tribal meeting ends in fight, 15 people were fighting or trying to break up fight, H&N 2/14/10 Modocs discuss separation, H&N posted to KBC 2/12/10 Modoc tribal meeting is Friday; Separation proposal will be discussed, H&N 1/27/10
Karuk People of the Klamath History… and nothing to do with Karuk Political Activists in law suits or with crazy Karuk Dam Removal Efforts! letter by James Waddell, Karuk Tribal Member and U.S. Veteran, posted to KBC 2/8/10 The history of the Shasta Tribe, by Betty Hall, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 12/17/09.  1905, "Parties coming in from Keno state that the run of salmon in the Klamath River this year is the heaviest it has ever known". The article also states that there is a natural rock barrier below Keno, which it is almost impossible for the fish to get over, should some succeed they are spotted, bruised, and are worthless. Evidently salmon getting to Link River was not a common occurrence, as to the statement made above." Giving a voice to the Shasta tribe, H&N, posted to KBC 11/30/09. "The Shastas, unlike recognized tribes, have not been allowed to participate in negotiations involving the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, which deals with water rights along the Klamath River...The tribe opposes the proposed removal of four Klamath River dams..."
My Opinion: Coho in the Klamath River. This report has been made by history research writer and former and half-century resident of the Klamath River, Karuk tribal member James A. Waddell, in 2009

Hope for Modoc identity, some seek to separate from Klamath Tribe H&N 10/7/09

(Klamath) Tribes’ land purchase would be huge mistake (in Willamette), H&N letter 9/29/09

Yuroks may double land size; Tribe hopes to purchase 47,000 acres, Triplicate 4/25/09

Tribes want policies to help them aid nation’s hydropower needs, Indian Country, posted to KBC 3/27/09. (KBC NOTE: 4 Klamath River Tribes want to tear down our Klamath River hydropower serving 70,000 households annually. In the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, Klamath Tribe in addition to dam removal, wants to be given part of the reservation they sold, water rights "with the priority date of time immemorial", funds, and neighboring land.) Klamath Tribe document of intensions
Jim Foley's presentation on unregulated Karuk Tribe dipnetting of Federally protected salmon, to the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors 3/17/09 Karuk Tribal Vice President and spiritual leader Leaf Hillman: Taxpayers help miners hurt fish habitat followed by 31 Comments, Sacramento Bee , posted to KBC 3/8/09. "Hillman, who lives in Orleans, is charged with one count corporal injury..." Tie 'em to a tree so they can visit with the spotted owls, Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 2/25/09 by Margo Perryman
Revised Critical Habitat Designated for Canada Lynx, FWS, posted 2/25/09. "39,000 square miles fall within the boundaries of the revised critical habitat designation....Excluded
areas include: Tribal lands.
.."
Person of the Year - Roy Hall Jr., Pioneer Press, posted to KBC 1/7/08. "As the chairman of the Shasta Nation, he took a stance against dam removal on the Klamath River...'Taking the dams out isn't about the fish...it's about other tribes taking control of our water in this area.' Roy has made the undisputed claim that the Karuk Tribe used the Shasta's Treaty "R" to gain its federal recognition. 'They are dealing with an illegal tribe.' " Karuk slam dam deal, Pioneer Press, posted 12/11/08. "He wrote that his opposition to dam removal prompted threats on his life - one of the reasons he no longer lives along the River. The petitioners contacted by the Pioneer Press asked not to be identified in this article, fearing retribution. ...Environmental activist and Karuk spokesman Craig Tucker said, '...if these people are not behind it now,' Tucker said, 'then they shouldn't get the benefits when the dams start coming down.' "

Thompson still top contender to head Interior, Times-Standard 12/10/08. "The Karuk Tribe announced its support of Thompson..."
The Klamath Restoration Agreement supports planting fish parasites, Klamath Lamprey, in Upper Klamath Basin. Klamath Riverkeeper and dam removal activist and Karuk spokesman Craig Tucker, is offended by the fact that KBC News said lamprey are fish parasites: "Will you guys please stop referring to lamprey as fish parasites? Native people (and sushi lovers around the world) love lamprey. They are part of God’s creation too! Thanks, S. Craig Tucker, Ph.D., Klamath Campaign Coordinator, Karuk Tribe". Posted 11/16/08 In Ore., (Klamath) tribes' members eye Supreme Court case, The Oregonian, posted to KBC 11/5/08. "Jeff Mitchell, a council member of the Klamath Tribes, said he believes the Narragansett case could bear some significance in Oregon. His tribe regained its federal recognition status in 1986...We want to put more land back into trust now," he said."
 

Tribes sign option to buy Mazama Tree Farm, H&N 8/29/08

Tribes’ biomass project would use cutting-edge technology, H&N 8/29/09

Yurok Tribe netting salmon - To KBC from Sherrie: "Recently my husband and I were at the coast visiting. We decided to go check out the Klamath River where is meets the ocean. We were shocked when we arrived. Hundreds of people from the Yurok tribe fishing with nets. The nets spanned pretty much across the whole width of the river as far as I could see up the river. How are the Salmon supposed to get passed the Yurok tribe to get to Klamath in the first place?" Sherrie. HERE for photos
OTHER PLACES - Proposal pits tribe against farmers Raising of Shasta Dam would flood sacred spots, H&N, posted to KBC 9/29/08 Green Diamond timberland deal would greatly expand Yurok tribe's holdings, Times Standard 9/26/08. "The Yurok Tribe has entered into an agreement that will buy up 47,000 acres in Klamath country from the Green Diamond Resource Co., a move which would vastly expand its land base and probably its reservation in the future.... a selling price would remain confidential...The tribe would pay taxes on the land until it is transferred into tribal trust status...The tribe would manage the (Redwood) timberland...the tribe and Western Rivers are pursuing private and foundation funds to pay the price of the land, and only after that effort is exhausted would it seek state and federal money." Klamath River fishing is fit for a king, Press Banner, posted to KBC 9/26/08. "Inside the river’s lagoon, the Yurok Tribe sets gill nets to capture salmon for the commercial market and subsistence use. If salmon make their way through the maze of gill nets, they begin the journey upriver...the majority of adult salmon being caught in the nets brought on low scores."
Indian nets hamper Salmon, Pioneer Press, posted September 25, 2008.

Calif. tribe fears losing land if (Shasta) dam is raised, Capital Press, posted 9/25/08

YUROK TRIBE - proposed marine sanctuary stretches from Crescent City to Little River, Times-Standard, posted to KBC 9/24/08

(Klamath Tribes') Energy plant to cost up to $12 million, H&N 9/11/08. (KBC note: Klamath Tribes support Klamath hydroelectric dam removal which provides power to 70,000 households. They are a sovereign nation; this power plant, and forest land they sold and hope to be given, will provide tax-exempt timber for their energy plant and logging. They have previously advocated for no timber harvest on forest land.) A village revived Edison Chiloquin’s birthday to be celebrated Sunday at Pla-ik-ni Village, followed by: Edison Chiloquin: ‘Conscience of the Klamaths’, H&N, posted to KBC 9/11/08. (KBC NOTE: Klamath Tribal government claims that the US Government forced them to terminate their reservation. So, as part of the KBRA, Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, they are demanding the be given the former reservation that they voted to sell, and sold.  Edison Chiloquin chose not to sell.)
(Klamath) Tribes acquire former mill site, Biomass facility planned north of Chiloquin, H&N, posted to KBC 9/2/08. "(KBC NOTE: If the Klamath Dams are ripped out, the 70,000 households dependant on the dams' hydropower will be partially dependant on the Klamath Tribes' biofuel.) Fishing line, Sacramento Bee 8/21/08. "Trinity/Klamath rivers KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen--According to Rivers West Outfitters, there are so many Indian gill nets killing salmon and blocking the river that a boat can't negotiate down to the mouth. There weren't so many on Sunday near the shop, good news, but the Indians had only moved them farther upriver, bad news. The Great Lie, Pioneer Press, letter by Rick Crocker, Happy Camp, 082008 "I have been to the mouth of the Klamath...There are hundreds of nets and then travel up river to the so-called reservoir and they have 100 yard long nets.."
Yurok Reservation and Klamath River to be Cleaned Up, The Eureka Reporter 8/21/08. "...$800,000 in grants Wednesday for the cleanup and removal of illegal waste dumped at sites inside the Yurok Reservation and along the Klamath River...During high river flows, the debris can be carried to the Pacific Ocean..." Firefighting rejected in sacred areas, Washington Times, 8/17/08 The Klamath Tribe and golf course owners seek a windfall from a loophole, Willamette Week 6/25/08. "The Klamaths are relying on federal legislation called the Klamath Indian Tribe Restoration Act of 1986 to argue that they can take the Willamette Valley land “into trust” or make it part of their reservation about 200 miles from their Klamath County home..."

 

Tribes to lobby in Omaha, H&N, 4/24/08

 
Toxins found in Klamath fish, Study commissioned by (Karuk) tribe on river finds risk to public health, H&N, posted to KBC 4/13/08. (KBC NOTE: Craig Tucker, Karuk spokesman, was previously activist with 'Friends of the River', an international dam removal group, ...) Klamath River (Yurok) Clean-up, Triplicate, posted 4/10/08.  Past cleanups of garbage have totaled 160 yards.
Yurok Tribe annual Klamath River Clean-up coming in April, The Eureka Reporter, posted 3/25/08." Last year’s clean-up removed 22 tons of trash, which is a key habitat for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon." 3/9/08 Native Springs all natural energized spring water, New Web site networks info for off-reservation Yuroks, 1/20/08
Indian Tribalism in the United States, by Calvin L. Hunt, M.D., Klamath Falls: a review of Elaine Willman's book Going to Pieces, The Dismantling of the United States of America,  posted to KBC November 1, 2007. And You Think The Indians Lost to the White Man, Ron Ewert, posted 8/29/07 Combating crime in Chiloquin, Community works to improve reputation, Herald and News, posted 8/17/07
HERE is a letter from a Karuk Tribal member to the Karuk Chairman regarding Tribal government corruption in the proposed takeover of Happy Camp Health Services, 8/16/07. Yurok working toward legal system, Triplicate, posted 8/16/07.  
  Never too old to learn - Indians, by Jim Beers, retired FWS, posted to KBC 5/14/07. Klamath cleanup 4/25/07
    Rerun: Tribes dammed Klamath, Klamath Courier June 1, 2005, by Liz Bowen, Pioneer Press
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