Sun., March 22, 2015

Video traces canoeists’ discovery paddling Columbia upstream

Donna-Gay Ward of Northport, Wash., paddles in the bow of a Sea 2 Source canoe approaching the downstream side of Grand Coulee Dam on Sept. 6, 2013 during a summer journey up the Columbia River to spotlight the plight of salmon runs that must pass dams en route to spawning grounds. The group is rallying support to pressure federal hydropower managers to install a fish ladder at Grand Coulee Dam. (Adam Wicks-Arshack / Voyages of Rediscovery)

RIVERS -- Two years ago, I wrote a story about an inspiring group of paddlers who built canoes with the help of school kids from Columbia River tribes and paddled the heavy voyageur vessels UP the entire length of the Columbia River.

The “Sea to Source” expedition left Astoria, Ore., on Aug. 1, 2013, for a 1,243-mile upstream voyage in five hand-made dugout canoes. The expedition reached the source of the Columbia River at Canal Flats, British Columbia, on Oct. 28, 2013.

See the story here.

This week, the group has released a 36-minute video documentary about their physical, cultural and environmental journey -- it involves a lot more than stroking a paddle. They make a case for revising treaties to allow for fish passage on Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.

The expedition was food for thought for Adam Wicks-Arshack, a team member who's at the University of Idaho pursuing a concurrent JD/PhD degree focusing on water resource management.

The video, below, is worth taking time at lunch or after work and soaking it in.

Treaty Talks: Paddling Up the Columbia River for People and Salmon from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.

Posted March 22, 2015, 7:23 a.m.