Elevating Awareness of Native Salmon Culture and Policy

The Grand Coulee Dam, built on the Columbia River, stands as an achievement of President Roosevelt's New Deal era. The Great Depression and President Roosevelt's New Deal program ultimately provided the necessary backing for the dam's construction. This project created employment for thousands, offering long-term economic benefits to the region. While the dam has been celebrated as a milestone in engineering and economic development, its implications for native people include land loss, declining salmon populations, and adverse health effects due to changes in traditional diets.

The Acquisition of Indian Lands for Grand Coulee Dam in June of 1940, authorized the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land on the Colville and Spokane Reservations, ultimately accounting for 21,100 acres, displacing thousands of Native Americans from their traditional territories. This forced displacement not only severed the physical ties to ancestral lands but also disrupted the spiritual and cultural connections that native communities had nurtured for generations. 

Before the dam's construction, the Columbia River was a thriving ecosystem supporting an estimated 10-16 million salmon annually. Today, due to the dam's impact on migration routes, habitat degradation, and water temperature changes, salmon populations have plummeted to around 2 million—a staggering 80% decline. This dramatic reduction has had severe economic repercussions, resulting in an estimated annual loss of $541 million in economic value for tribal fisheries.

This drastic decline in salmon availability has forced Native American communities to reduce their traditional salmon consumption or rely on alternative, less nutritious food sources. Salmon is a nutrient-rich food source, providing essential omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals vital for heart health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. The reduction in salmon intake has contributed to a rise in diet-related health issues among Native Americans, including increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Indian/Alaska Native adults are %50  times more likely to be obese compared to non-Hispanic whites. Additionally, American Indian/Alaska Native adults are almost three times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes.

Furthermore, cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains a leading cause of death among Native Americans, accounting for approximately 20% of all deaths. The lack of access to traditional foods like salmon, coupled with socio-economic factors such as limited healthcare access and poverty, has contributed to these alarming health disparities.

While the Grand Coulee Dam has been labeled as a victory for economic development, its legacy for Native American communities is one of loss, disruption, and ongoing challenges. The impacts on land, salmon populations, and public health underscore the complex challenges faced by Tribal communities in the wake of large-scale infrastructure projects like the Grand Coulee Dam.

“Adult Obesity Prevalence.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 21, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html#:~:text=*%20Non%2DHispanic%20Asian%20adults:%200%20(among%2037,(among%2049%20states%2C%202%20territories%2C%20and%20DC)&text=*%20Non%2DHispanic%20American%20Indian%20or%20Alaska%20Native%20adults:%2033%20(among%2047%20states). 

“Leading Causes of Death-Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Males - United States.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 20, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/lcod/men/2017/nonhispanic-native/index.htm. 

McClung, Christian. “Grand Coulee Dam: Leaving a Legacy.” Grand Coulee Dam: Leaving a legacy - great depression project, n.d. https://depts.washington.edu/depress/grand_coulee.shtml.