Hi Reader,

The Columbia River is the largest waterway in the Pacific Northwest. For Native American tribes living along the river, salmon has been a staple of their diets, economies and religions. But over the last century and a half, many forces have eroded Native peoples’ access to salmon. Treaties intended to protect their access to traditional fishing areas were violated. Dams massively reduced the number of salmon that swam in the waters. Environmental contamination further poisoned the well. Now, climate change threatens the salmon’s survival.

ProPublica and Local Reporting Network partner Oregon Public Radio embarked on a deep-dive investigation into the many failures of the U.S. government to fulfill its salmon-related treaty obligations to tribes of the Pacific Northwest. First, we did an in-depth data analysis showing that despite a $2 billion investment, hatcheries were not returning many salmon to the river as some had promised they would. A few months later, our reporters did what regulatory bodies were failing to do — we tested Columbia River fish for contaminants and found mercury and PCBs at levels with significant health risks for tribes. We produced a short documentary, “Salmon People,” and last week, we launched a six-part podcast series that tells this story of salmon in the Northwest through the voices of one Yakama Nation family that has been fighting for salmon for generations.

Significant changes have been put in place since our reporting was published. State and federal lawmakers in the Pacific Northwest called for environmental policy changes and increased funding. In December, the Biden administration reached a historic agreement with Northwest Indigenous tribes that offered $1 billion in new funding for Columbia River salmon restoration, and for the first time grants states and tribes control over how that money gets spent.

ProPublica has the time and resources for expansive reporting like this because we’re backed by more than 50,000 readers like you who believe that investigative journalism has the power to spur real-world change. Donate today and help us continue to shine a spotlight on injustice and hold the powerful to account.

Thanks so much,

Tova Genesen
Proud ProPublican