“Salmon Wars” is a 2024 podcast series from Oregon Public Radio (OPB), who teamed up with ProPublica to produce six striking episodes that tell the story of salmon in the Northwest through the voices of one Yakama Nation family, who have been fighting for salmon for generations.
“As a white kid growing up in the Pacific Northwest,” says the website, “Tony Schick heard a lot about salmon—how important they are to this region, and how much trouble they’re in now. But the history he learned was not the whole story. As an investigative reporter for OPB and ProPublica, he’s been working to uncover and understand a more sinister version of events. And along the way, he connected with a guy named Randy Settler and his family.”
“Salmon Wars” is OPB’s follow-up to “Timber Wars” (2020), two podcasts that examine conflicts over resources in the Pacific Northwest.
Salmon Wars: All Episodes
Episode 1: The Family (21:36)
Host Tony Schick introduces us to Randy Settler and his family.
Episode 2: The Treaties (32:29)
To understand the struggles over salmon, we have to go back to 1855.
Episode 3: The Court Battles (30:43)
During the 1960s and beyond, Native activists fought back against state and federal restrictions on their fishing rights—a period known as the “fish wars.” They held “fish ins” and fought for their rights in court.
Bonus Episode: LiaDonna Lopez Whitefoot (14:27)
You heard from Randy Settler’s cousin, LiaDonna Lopez Whitefoot, in the most recent episode of “Salmon Wars.” In this bonus episode, we’re bringing you more of her memories of the fish wars and of Randy’s mom, Mary, in particular.
Episode 4: The Salmon’s Struggle (22:29)
Salmon used to be plentiful, and they’ve been a staple of tribal diets for centuries. In this episode, we examine what the decline of salmon has meant for Columbia River tribes.
Episode 5: The Crime (35:46)
Salmon have been on the decline for more than 100 years. The federal government knows why. It knows who killed the salmon, and how. But for decades it’s been telling a tale of progress, and obscuring the ugliest truth.
Episode 6: The Future (32:08)
Salmon hatcheries set up by the federal government prioritized ocean fishermen over river tribes and created genetically inferior fish. In this final episode, we visit a tribal hatchery to see how they’re doing things differently.
Bonus Episode: Celilo Memories (12:33)
We hear the voices of tribal elders who remember Celilo Falls before The Dalles Dam silenced this sacred fishing spot.
You can stream these podcast episodes on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.