The Klamath Salmon Festival draws up to 4,000 people to California. Photo courtesy Yurok Tribe
The Yurok Tribe of California is hosting its 54th annual Klamath Salmon Festival on Saturday under unusual circumstances. Due to extremely limited runs of salmon, the tribe won't be serving the customary lunch at the event. But the lack of fish won't stop the Yurok people from coming together to celebrate and share their culture, Chairman Thomas P. O’Rourke Sr. said. "The purpose of the Salmon Festival is to unite the whole community in celebration of the Klamath River," O’Rourke Sr. said in a press release. The theme of this year's event is "Un-Dam the Klamath, Let the River Flow." The tribe has signed onto the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement, which calls for the removal of four dams on the Klamath River, a move that will ensure more water for salmon runs. "Dam removal is a key element of large-scale fish restoration efforts on the Klamath, and we believe it puts the people of the Klamath Basin back on a path toward lasting prosperity," O’Rourke said in April of the agreement, which was drafted to avoid roadblocks in Congress that have so far prevented the removal of the dams. As part of the festival on Saturday, two young tribal members will explain how the shortage of salmon affects their people. Napooi Shorty, a college student, and Elaina Albers, a high school student, are part of the Yurok Youth Leadership Council on the reservation. The day's events also include a run/walk, traditional card games and stick games.
Related Stories
Yurok
Tribe shares sad news about salmon festival -- no salmon (07/22) Yurok Tribe launches operation to rid reservation of marijuana (7/21)
Join the Conversation
