Colville Tribe announces First Salmon Ceremony will be held May 23

NESPELEM – The First Salmon Ceremony, an annual tradition of the Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) will be held at the Chief Joseph Fish Hatchery Administration Building in Bridgeport on Thursday, May 23.

Activities will get started early under the direction of Randy Friedlander, Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife (CFTW) Director. The first salmon will be captured at 6 a.m. in a ritual that will include a prayer and song by tribal elders. Tribal leaders will be invited to speak before everyone adjourns to the administration building for breakfast.

Starting at 7 a.m., Cody Desautel, CCT National Resource Director will deliver opening remarks followed by CTFW Senior Research Scientist Casey Baldwin who will discuss the next steps in transporting salmon above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.

An Okanogan Sockeye Hatchery update and Chief Joseph Chinook Hatchery update will be followed by a hatchery tour under the guidance of hatchery staff.

Lunch, including sharing the First Salmon, will be served at 11:30 a.m. in the admin building with a table song by tribal elders. A closing prayer will conclude the ceremony.