NW Fish Passage

In Episode 30 of NW Fish Passage, Annika Fain interviews Christine Longjohn. She is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. She is an avid outdoors woman and fish biologist for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Spring. Her family comes from the Red Mesa area of the Navajo Nation in Utah. She graduated from Utah State University in 2020 with her undergraduate degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences with two minors. She continued into graduate school at Utah State University to complete her degree in a Master's of Ecological Restoration in 2022. Christine previously worked with Federal and State management agencies in suitability assessments and collection of In-stream or riparian habitat data. She recently worked with The Nature Conservancy to assess the potential restoration sites on the San Juan River, located on the Navajo Nation. Christine's passion is working with wetland habitat resiliency. She changed her career to work with the tribes and protect water resources. She is excited to work with many tribes across the United States. She loves to be outside, especially fly fishing or hiking. Enjoy!

Annika Fain interviews Amy Bowers Cordalis in Episode 29 of the NW Fish Passage podcast. Amy is a mother, fisherwoman, attorney, and a member of the Yurok Tribe. She published an amazing memoir last year titled "The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family's Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life." She is the co-founder and executive director of Ridges to Riflles Indigenous Conservation Group. In this podcast, she talks about what salmon means to her, her family's multigenerational fight for Klamath River restoration and the removal of the four dams in 2023-2024. She speaks about "world renewal" and the ecological recovery that is occurring on the Klamath. She also talks about her great grandmother and how she was pivotal in the fight for dam removal. Amy shares her hope for the future, including a future for restoring salmon habitat that is possible and profitable.

Websites:

amybowerscordalis.com

Ridges to Riffles

The Project – Klamath River Renewal

In Episode 28 of NW Fish Passage, Annika Fain interviews Heather Cantua. Heather is an attorney, business owner, and is the president of the board of directors for the Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition (PCSC). She moved to the Olympic Peninsula in 2021 and joined the PCSC board on 2023. She shares her love for salmon and the environment. Heather and Annika discuss the Morganroth Springs restoration project that was recently constructed based on plans that Annika helped design. Heather talks about the importance of teaming partners and ongoing monitoring. She also talks about her hopes and vision for the future. Enjoy!

Websites

● Morganroth Springs: a History — Pacific Coast Salmon Coalitions

● Who We Are | Discover Our Mission Today — Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition

In Episode 27 of NW Fish Passage, Annika Fain interviews Santana Rabang. Santana is a podcast producer for the Young and Indigenous Podcast Children of the Setting Sun Production, youth tribal leader, and canoe paddler. Santana is Lummi through her mother and Nooksack and First Nations Shxwhá:y Village through her father. She shares her childhood and experience at Children of the Setting Sun Production. Santana talks about her personal journey and the importance of salmon, community, and canoe paddling to her. She talks about her hopes and vision for the future. Enjoy!

Websites

● Children of the Setting Sun Productions: https://settingsunproductions.org/

● Young and Indigenous Podcast: https://settingsunproductions.org/young-and-indigenous-podcast

In Episode 26 of NW Fish Passage, Annika Fain interviews Josie Kamkoff. Josie is a tribal water utilities operator program development lead at Northwest Indian College (NWIC). She is of Lummi and Yupik descent. She mostly grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and spent summers in Lummi, Washington. She is passionate about the environment and received a Bachelor's of Science in Native Environmental Science from NWIC. She is developing a tribal water utilities operator certification program. She provides insight into the program and why it is so important. Also, she talks about her hopes and vision for the future. Enjoy!

Websites

· Northwest Indian College (NWIC): https://www.nwic.edu/

· Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program: https://www.epa.gov/tribaldrinkingwater/tribal-drinking-water-operator-certification-program

In Episode 25 of NW Fish Passage, Annika Fain interviews Bethany Fackrell. Bethany is a Tribal Gaming Commissioner, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe member, artist, and veteran. She participated in the Tribal WaterCorps program. Bethany talks about what salmon means for her, her experience participating in canoe journeys, habitat restoration, and the WaterCorps program. She also talks about her art work, hopes for the future, and advice for indigenous youth interested in the Tribal WaterCorps program. Enjoy!

Websites

· Kokanee of the Moon: https://www.fws.gov/media/kokanee-moonbethany-fackrellsnoqualmie2023jpg

· A Deep Conservation Connection: https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-11/story-service-bethany-fackrell

· Bureau of Indian Affairs – WaterCorps Program: https://stewardslegacy.org/watercorps

· IG: tradish_ish

In Episode 24 of NW Fish Passage, Annika Fain interviews Kayeloni Scott. Kayeloni is an enrolled Spokane Tribal Member with strong Nez Perce ancestry. From 2017-2022, she served as the Communications Manager for the Nez Perce Tribe, then American Rivers as the Communications Director for the Northwest Region for over a year. She has continued her work with the Nez Perce Tribe, providing communications consulting on Lower Snake River issues, is a co-producer for Covenant of the Salmon People, and was recently appointed as Executive Director for the Columbia/Snake River Campaign. She plays a critical role in advocating for the four lower Snake River dams. In this episode she shares her experience growing up with salmon, why salmon are important to her, the Nez Perce creation story, Covenant of the Salmon film, and Children of the Setting Sun. Websites mentioned in this episode can be found on the nwfishpassage.com website. Enjoy!

https://columbiasnakeriver.com/

https://www.salmonorcaproject.com/

https://covenantofthesalmonpeople.com/media

https://settingsunproductions.org/

In this episode, Annika Fain interviews Gabe Ng. Gabe is a Fish Passage Design Manager for the WSDOT NW Region Fish Passage Program. He is passionate about improving the environment and collaborating with a variety of people and disciplines. Gabe provides insight into important aspects of fish passage. Annika and Gabe discuss their experience in the fish passage realm and future opportunities. Gabe also provides advice to young professionals. Website links that are mentioned in the podcast are located at nwfishpassage.com and below. Enjoy!

· (WSDOT) Fish Passage summary and link to annual report maps, and videos: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/protecting-environment/fish-passage

· SR542 Squalicum Creek to Bellingham Bay Fish Passage:: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-542-squalicum-creek-bellingham-bay-fish-passage-complete-november-2023

· SR542 Squalicum Creek Construction (August 3, 2023) - SR 542 Squalicum creek to Bellingham Bay Fish Passage project timelapse, part 1 (youtube.com)

In this episode, Annika Fain interviews Karin Strelioff. Karin is the Conservation Programs Manager with the Thurston Conservation District. She specializes in marine shoreline stewardship, green stormwater infrastructure, PNW native plants, and conservation focused land management. Karin talks about her motivation, conservation districts, Shore Friendly, and provides advice to young professionals. Learn more at nwfishpassage.com. Enjoy!

In this episode, Annika Fain interviews Rena Priest. Rena Priest is an enrolled member of the Lhaq'temish (Lummi) Nation. She served two years as Washington State's 6th Poet Laureate (2021-2023). Her work has been recognized with awards and fellowships from the Allied Arts Foundation, Academy of American Poets, Indigenous Nations Poets, University of Washington Libraries, and Nia Tero. She is the author of three books and editor of two anthologies, including I Sing the Salmon Home: Poems from Washington State. Learn more at nwfishpassage.com and renapriest.com. Enjoy!