CENSORED NEWS

February 9, 2017

Hoopa Valley Tribe Wins Court Case to Protect Salmon

District Court action forces Federal Government to Reevaluate Flows and Take Immediate Action to Prevent Fish Kills

By Hoopa Valley Tribe

Censored News

A U.S. District Court judge ruled today that federal agencies must take preventative and emergency measures to reduce the incidence of disease among juvenile salmon, the major source of mortality limiting runs of returning adults to the Klamath River and its tributaries.

This decision was welcomed by the Hoopa Valley Tribe, who initiated the lawsuit challenging the federal government’s inaction given two years of high disease rates and poor adult returns. “The Hoopa Valley Tribe depends on salmon for our livelihood and will not stand idle while our people’s culture is jeopardized” said Ryan Jackson, Chairman of the Hoopa Valley Tribe. “This decision is a win for the tribe and all communities that depend on Klamath salmon” said Jackson. In his ruling, Judge Orrick directed the Bureau of Reclamation to implement flow measures that were developed by the Tribe and supported by the best available science.

These include having more frequent peak flows and higher spring flows that are the components of a more natural hydrology for the Klamath River. “These peak flows and spring flows are intended to reduce unnaturally high levels of parasites and protect juvenile fish in the mainstem Klamath River” said Mike Orcutt, Fisheries Director. “Given the poor runs in recent years, this will provide a much needed rebalancing of water towards the needs of the fish”. Last year’s fall Chinook salmon run was one of the lowest in recent history.

Salmon protections proposed by the Tribe will remain in place until the federal agencies revise their flows in accordance with new information. “The Tribe remains vigilant and will continue fighting for the fish” said Jackson.

Contacts:

Ryan Jackson, Chairman - 530 249-8683

Mike Orcutt, Fisheries Director – 707 499-6143

Thomas Schlosser and Thane Somerville, Attorneys for HVT – 206 386-5200

Sean Ledwin, Senior Fisheries Biologist - HVT – 585 943-3792

Standing Rock at Sundance Film Festival Special Event -- Dine' Earl Tulley Video

Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault and Actress Shailene Woodley speak at a Sundance Film Festival Special Event, Video by Earl Tulley, Dine', for Censored News

Video by Earl Tulley, Dine'
Article by Brenda Norrell
Censored News

PARK CITY, Utah, -- At Sundance Film Festival, Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault shares the need for storytelling at a special event at Sundance Film Festival.
Chairman Archambault discusses the fight against Dakota Access Pipeline. He describes fighting the pipeline in the courts and in the need to change policies in Washington. Further, he describes the need for an environmental impact statement.
"This pipeline is actually going to hurt us, and the company is going to see that."
Chairman Archambault praises those on the ground who have fought the pipeline. He says it is important not to forget the other struggles out there, and not to forget the power of prayer.
"We already won, because of the power of unity."
At the private gathering at the Festival, attended by Standing Rock Water Protectors, Chairman Archambault describes other problems facing Standing Rock, including meth and the need for clean air. He also speaks of the need of the fire of the sun.
"We need to keep the lessons we are learning from this movement."
He says it is time to forgive what has happened in the past and the need to focus on the future for the sake of the upcoming generation.
Introducing Actress Shailene Woodley, Chairman Archambault says the movie industry is another platform for the struggle.
Woodley tells the gathering that she learned of the movement in February 2016 from the Native American youths. She said she contacted others and received only three responses out of 200 e-mails she sent out.
However, later, when she was arrested, millions began paying attention.
Woodley said this taught her valuable lessons. First, that this society has become complacent. She also realized that people do not pay attention unless it affects an individual personally or a celebrity is arrested.
"We have to take down these walls, we have to take down these divisions."
Woodley speaks on the power of prayer, as was manifest when water protectors were shot with water cannons in freezing temperatures and shot with rubber bullets. Still, she said, they continued to stand up in prayer.
Woodley said divestment is vital. She said there will be no Keystone XL, or Dakota Access Pipeline, if there is no money invested. This includes the DAPL investors of Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America.
She describes how Standing Rock Water Protectors protested Chase Bank, one of the sponsors of Sundance Film Festival, shortly before this event.
Before the event began, Robert Redford sent a message to the special gathering for Standing Rock, which was by invitation only.
Redford said that he was snowed in at home and could not attend.

Thank you Earl Tulley, Dine', for sharing this video with Censored News.

Previous video at Censored News: Standing Rock Water Protectors protest Chase Bank, sponsor, at Sundance Film Festival. Video by Earl Tulley.

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Video by Earl Tulley, Dine', at Sundance Film Festival 2017

Listen to this dramatic video, words and songs, of Standing Rock Water Protectors at Sundance Film Festival. Youth talk about being shot with bean bags, rubber bullets, by Morton County. Water Protectors protested Chase Bank, a sponsor of the festival. A Censored News original video by Earl Tulley, Dine'. Thank you!

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