Category Archives: salmon

When Indians are Forgotten

Folk singer Woody Guthrie’s memory is being honored in 2012, marking his 100th birthday. Guthrie has a Northwest connection. In 1941 the balladeer drove his Pontiac from New York to Oregon so he could write songs of praise for the … Continue reading

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Telling the Story Indian Style

Last week I heard Indian storytellers unfurl their tales when the Northwest Indian Storytellers Association gathered in Portland. I was enlightened and humbled to listen to Native storytellers weave their magic. We heard tales of coyote and raven, Lakota and … Continue reading

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How the Press Covered the Sea Lion Controversy in Indian Country

Next week we present results of our study at a national conference in Chicago, sharing details of how the press covered the salmon and sea lion conflict at the Columbia River. Local Indians have a great stake in the salmon … Continue reading

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Salmon and Sea Lions Face Off

Native Americans are keenly interested in science. Just ask an Indian fisherman. Here in the Pacific Northwest, tribal fishermen have been embroiled in a controversy over salmon. The most recent tempest has pitted salmon against encroaching sea lions, who feast … Continue reading

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What do Folks Think about Indian Issues?

We wanted to know how people feel about Indian issues in the Pacific Northwest and recently discovered that opinions are mixed. In fact, opinions are pretty lumpy. Take, for example, the issue of sea lions at the Columbia River.

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Tribal Fishers

When I visited Cascade Locks this summer I found a half-dozen booths where salmon was sold alongside fresh cherries, just picked that morning. One of the fishers, a young Yakama man, said that he didn’t feel strongly about the sea … Continue reading

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Salmon People

I identify with the bear people as revealed in yesterday’s blog: the feeling is woven through my genes but not in my daily life. Every day I think and write about salmon, the focus of my current study about how … Continue reading

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Roll on Columbia

The Columbia River has long been sacrosanct for Pacific Northwest Indians, who consider it an integral feature of their lives and spirit. Researching the mediated discourse and public opinion about tribal issues arising from the river has opened my eyes … Continue reading

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Why Study Media?

A colleague made an off-handed comment that studying news media framing lacks value. But I argue that, particularly when it comes to science and Indians, news reports can be illuminating. In both cases, most Americans glean information about science and … Continue reading

Posted in framing, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, Native Science, news bias, risk, salmon, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Science Confirms What We Already Know

One of my favorite moments at the salmon conference I attended this week came when Yakama tribal elder Tony Washines greeted a crowd of policy-makers, scientists and attentive listeners. He smiled and said, “Good morning my relatives. Good morning my … Continue reading

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