In a groundbreaking report published on Tuesday, the US government has formally recognized the detrimental effects that federal dams have had on Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest. The report, released by the interior department, sheds light on the historical, ongoing, and cumulative impacts of federal dams on Columbia River Basin Tribes.

The devastating consequences of the dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers are detailed in the report, including the decimation of salmon runs, the submergence of ancestral villages and burial sites, and the erosion of traditional ways of life for tribal members. The Columbia River basin, an area roughly the size of Texas, once teemed with abundant wild salmon, which not only played a crucial role in tribal identity and spirituality but also supported the local economy.

However, the construction of extensive hydroelectric dams throughout the basin during the early 20th century disrupted fish migration, leading to the extinction of four salmon and steelhead stocks, with seven other stocks listed under the Endangered Species Act, according to the Associated Press. This has had a disproportionate impact on tribal communities, resulting in significant cultural, spiritual, and economic losses that continue to be felt to this day.

The report highlights the government's disregard for the well-being and interests of Native American tribes, as it prioritized the provision of electricity, irrigation, and job opportunities for non-indigenous communities. This transfer of wealth away from the tribes has perpetuated disparities and deepened the trauma inflicted on these communities.

Although the report acknowledges that all local tribes have been affected by federal dams and reservoirs, it focuses specifically on the plight of the eight tribal nations directly affected by eleven dams. The Yakama Nation, one of the affected tribes, welcomed the report as an important acknowledgment of years of undelivered promises.

This development comes amidst the Biden administration's $1 billion plan, announced in December, which aims to collaborate with tribes in the restoration of the region's wild salmon populations. While the plan falls short of calling for the removal of four controversial dams on the Snake River, it does seek to increase renewable energy production and storage, offsetting the impact of hydropower if Congress ever agrees to breach these dams.

The Biden administration emphasized the ancestral connection between tribal nations and native fish species, recognizing their historic stewardship and reliance on these resources for sustenance and cultural practices. The government's statement labeled the report as the first comprehensive account of the harms inflicted on tribes by federal dams, marking a significant step toward healing and restoration.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland expressed the importance of acknowledging the devastating effects of federal hydropower dams on tribal communities, stating that it is vital to efforts aimed at restoring salmon populations to their ancestral waters. The interior department reaffirmed its commitment to honor federal obligations to tribal nations and pledged to work collaboratively to find comprehensive solutions that restore native fish populations, empower tribes, and address the resilience needs of communities across the region.

This report serves as a turning point in recognizing the historical injustice faced by Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest and brings attention to the urgent need for action to restore their traditional practices and preserve their cultural heritage for future generations.