In a continuation of the “Fish Wars” of the 1960s and 70s, a 1982 federal sting operation scapegoated and criminalized Columbia fisher people for diminishing salmon runs. This segment, which originally aired in May 2023, we feature commentary from Wanapum fishing rights activist David Sohappy, Jr..; Bruce Jim, enrolled Warm Springs; and Wilbur Slockish, Jr., the Hereditary Chief of the Klickitat, who were convicted in federal court and spent years in prison for exercising treaty-protected rights to fish in their usual and accustomed places. The segment also features commentary from Andy Sohappy, defense attorney Tom Keefe, and Celilo Wy'am activist Lana Jack, who organized the panel for SJCON, WSU’s annual social and environmental justice conference, in April 2023.
- KBOO