Paying for lost
salmon
Each member of
Washington’s Colville Confederated Tribes recently received a
federal check for $5,989 to compensate for land taken to build the
Grand Coulee Dam 62 years ago. But despite the money the Indians
received, the land and the rich salmon fishery that the dam
destroyed are still missed. Martin Louie Sr., 88, says he remembers
when he could catch all the salmon he could eat from the Columbia
River – rather than paying $20 for a dried filet from Canada. “We
used to have salmon by the glory, all the way up from the ocean to
Kettle Falls,” Louie told the Spokesman-Review. “I don’t think the
government has money to pay me for all that.” The checks came from
a $53 million settlement to a tribal claim filed in 1951 over
unfulfilled federal promises. The government will also pay at least
$15 million each year the dam operates. Tribal councilwoman Gloria
Picard says tribal leaders settled for less than they might have
because they wanted the money to go to those who were originally
displaced by the dam. “There were a lot of elders saying, “I hope I
live to see this payment,” and many, many of them didn’t.” There is
concern that some members will squander the money. Tribal members
may vote to use some future payment collectively. But for now, the
money is allowing some to purchase land or attend school, and local
businesses report that used car and furniture sales are booming.
* John Craig
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Paying for lost salmon.
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