Elevating Awareness of Native Salmon Culture and Policy

The First Salmon Ceremony marks the arrival of the season's first salmon run, heralding the beginning of abundance and renewal. For countless generations, indigenous communities have gathered along rivers and streams to celebrate this connection with prayer, song, and ceremony. Songs are sung to welcome the first salmon of the season, the salmon is respectfully carried in a cradle of cedar boughs, and then the bones are returned to the water. 

The spine, the skull, and all of the other bones—that sustained their relatives during their meal, are carried to the four directions: north, south, east, and west. Four fishermen are trusted to give back these bones to each direction, where they are offered as a gesture of gratitude to the Creator and the waters, the fish, and all other beings inhabiting those waters. This offering invites blessings upon the returning fish, ensuring their continued abundance and willingness to provide and stay connected to Native people. 

After colonization stripped such sacred practices from Native life, this important ceremony was revived among Puget Sound tribes in the 1970s. Through these ceremonial practices, we honor not only the significance of the occasion itself but also the people and connections involved in it. The First Salmon Ceremony, a foundation of Native culture, has evolved over time, reflecting the strength and responsibilities of our communities. As we continue to uphold and celebrate these traditions, Native people recognize the enduring importance of fostering cultural continuity and spiritual connection with the world.

 Ron Hilbert Coy. “First Salmon Ceremony.” First Salmon Ceremony, n.d. https://art.seattleartmuseum.org/objects/31913/first-salmon-ceremony;jsessionid=CFA3ECED2F3F75A00EB9723DE27ACFBA?ctx=a34c7f4e-da04-4491-9871-519a23436c51&idx=0. 

“Salmon Ceremony: This Is Maritime Washington.” Maritime Washington, n.d. https://maritimewa.org/story/salmon-ceremony-this-is-maritime-washington/.