The Salmon Orca Project, in Partnership with the Columbia Snake River Campaign and Children of the Setting Sun, Promotes Unity and Engagement with Eastern and Central Residents in the Northwest

TRI-CITIES, WA — The Salmon Orca Project hosted the 2024 Rise Up Northwest (R.U.N.) in Unity event  from December 16–18 in partnership with Columbia Snake River Campaign and Children of the Setting Sun Productions, bringing hundreds of passionate advocates from across the Pacific Northwest to the Tri-Cities, the region closest to the controversial lower Snake River dams. This landmark event, themed “Cultivating Solutions Together, focused on identifying the path ahead for the Columbia River Basin and building community among attendees.

The multi-day gathering, held at the Three Rivers Convention Center, brought together Tribal leaders, youth advocates, farmers, irrigators, conservationists, and business leaders to chart a path forward. Participants engaged in high-energy discussions, cultural exchanges, and tours of key sites, including the REACH Museum and Ice Harbor Dam, to underscore that the needs of salmon and orcas remain urgent and their timeline to extinction has not changed.

Unity Across Communities and Stakeholders

“This gathering was organized with the intention of meeting people where they are, and the Tri-Cities is a direct stakeholder in the issues we are fighting for. We are stepping into this space with a desire to learn, understand, and remain solutions-based in a manner that prioritizes the needs of salmon,” said Kayeloni Scott, Executive Director of the Columbia Snake River Campaign.

Modernizing the Pacific Northwest

R.U.N in Unity emphasized the opportunity for the Pacific Northwest to move away from antiquated technologies like the lower Snake River dams and embrace modern solutions that will fuel the economy of the future. Leaders highlighted the region’s potential to build clean energy infrastructure that meets the demands of the next generation while safeguarding salmon populations for centuries to come.

“With modern energy technologies and expanded infrastructure, we can fulfill our regional needs around decarbonization, affordability, reliability, and salmon restoration,” said Mitch Cutter, an Idaho Conservation League energy expert associated with  the Columbia Snake River Campaign. “This is our chance to create a thriving, equitable future while protecting the ecosystems, economies, and cultural heritage that define our region.”

Tribal Leadership at the Forefront

Central to the convening was the leadership of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Nez Perce Tribe, whose long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and justice has shaped the region’s fight for salmon recovery. Tribal representatives highlighted the cultural and ecological devastation caused by the dams and the current state of the salmon and other native species

Exploring Success and Opportunity

Attendees reflected on past successes, including the Elwha River dam removal and the Yurok and Klamath River dam removals, which have revitalized ecosystems and communities. These achievements demonstrate what’s possible when collaboration and science drive decisions, providing a blueprint for the future of the lower Snake River.

Cultivating Solutions Together

The theme of R.U.N, “Cultivating Solutions Together,” resonated deeply throughout the event. Attendees worked collaboratively to identify actionable solutions that balance the needs of all stakeholders—farmers, Tribal communities, environmental advocates, recreationalists, and business interests. The theme emphasized the shared responsibility of all communities to restore the river and create a sustainable future.

Action-Oriented Discussions and a Call to Collaboration

Key outcomes of the gathering included:

• Collaborative solutions: Stakeholders and rights holders explored strategies to ensure agricultural sustainability while restoring the Snake River.

• Policy priorities: Attendees emphasized the need for investments in modern infrastructure, including rail, roads, and clean energy, to support transportation alternatives and move the region forward.

• Youth engagement: Voices from the next generation called for swift action to protect the salmon’s future.

The event underscored the urgency of working with the incoming administration to implement solutions that are grounded in science, equity, and collaboration.

Looking Ahead

The Columbia Snake River Campaign will continue to push for immediate action to remove the lower Snake River dams, restore salmon populations, and address the harm caused to Tribal communities. This event  is just the beginning of a renewed, unified push for progress in 2025 and beyond.