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. Wanapum fishing rights activist David Sohappy, Sr.; his son David Jr.; Bruce Jim, enrolled Warm Springs; and Wilbur Slockish, Jr., the Hereditary Chief of the Klickitat, 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 features commentary from Bruce Jim, Chief Slockish, David Sohappy, Jr., Andy Sohappy, defense attorney Tom Keefe, Celilo Wy’am activist Lana Jack, and Celilo Wy’am fisher Lila Jack.
Public domain image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/california-salmon-fish-salmon-6182226/