Renaissance in Indian Country

December 7, 2006

Ancient traditions continue to guide the salmon fishing practices of contemporary tribal peoples. Cemented by an 1855 treaty between the four Columbia River Basin tribes (Umatilla, Warm Springs, Yakama and Nez Perce) and the U.S. federal government, the role of salmon has remained central to Native American culture and livelihood. In their constancy and generosity, the salmon support tribal government and communities in areas as diverse as education, physical and mental health, spiritual well-being, economics and public policy. Charles Hudson will speak of the link between salmon and renaissance in indigenous culture and community from his perspective as the Public Affairs Manager for the Columbia River Fish Commission.

Charles Hudson is a member of the Mandan/Hidatsa tribe of Fort Berthold, North Dakota and a 1983 graduate of Washington State University. He speaks passionately about tribal issues, especially with regards to salmon and environmental justice. He has spent several years working in media and Native American education in the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, the policy and technical coordinating agency for the Columbia River Basin treaty tribes in Portland, Oregon. He also serves on the boards of the Oregon Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Open Meadow Alternative School and is a founding board member of the Rivers Foundation of the Americas. His passion for tribal rights and environmental protection is derived from the generations-long fight his family has endured for treaty rights and justice that is chronicled in the 2004 book Coyote Warrior.