Part 2: International Indigenous Salmon Peoples Gathering Week, Sept 30 - Oct 4, 2024, Sápmi
Highlights from the Salmon Gathering Week
The fight for the survival of Salmon in the face of the climate crisis is as complex as it is urgent. There are multifaceted challenges threatening Salmon populations, especially as they relate to the Indigenous peoples who have relied on this vital species for centuries. From Sápmi to Alaska, from government mismanagement to cultural erasure, the story of Salmon survival is not just about saving a fish—it is about protecting a way of life, maintaining food sovereignty, and upholding justice in the face of environmental catastrophe. A common thread is the general decline of salmon species and closing of salmon fisheries in major salmon rivers of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
Preserving Salmon Peoples culture for the future. Live scribe made at the Deanušaldi public meeting. Credit: Big Brain Agency
Declaration
The most significant outcome of the week was the Indigenous Salmon Peoples Gathering Declaration (the Kárašjohka Salmon Declaration).The Declaration is a guiding framework for decision-making processes, empowering Indigenous Peoples to address the alarming state of Salmon in the Northern Hemisphere. It was created during the International Indigenous Salmon Peoples Gathering in Kárášjohka (Sápmi) in 2024, reflecting input from participants. The Declaration aims to inform policies that can be adapted to different communities, emphasising the rights, knowledge, and stewardship of Indigenous Peoples. The document serves as a tool for advocacy, stewardship, and policy-making across various areas related to Salmon and their ecosystems. The full document can be found at the International Indigenous Salmon Peoples Network webpages where Indigenous governments can communicate their endorsements and it can be supported by the global community: IISPN - Karasjok Declaration. It can be adapted to local contexts and applied to local restoration work.
The Double Burden of Climate Change on Sápmi
Sápmi faces a unique double burden from the climate crisis. While “green energy” development, like wind power plants, dam construction and watershed regulation for hydroelectric power development, are often presented as solutions, they have detrimental effects on reindeer, marine fish species and Atlantic salmon stocks, which are vital to the culture and livelihoods of many Indigenous communities in Sápmi. These interventions disrupt reindeer and salmon migration and ecosystems, making it a case where addressing one issue worsens another.
In other Indigenous areas, such as for First peoples on the US and Canadian west coast, presented by Abernathy, technical solutions such as water management projects may seem like a step forward but can cause more harm if they are not carefully integrated into local ecosystems.
“Arrogant ignorance of people rushing ahead with simple technical solutions... is the very same mechanism and approach that got us into this mess in the first place.”
This critique emphasizes the need for equity and justice. If Indigenous voices—such as those of the Sámi—are sidelined, solutions will remain incomplete and may lead to further environmental degradation.
Complex Problems Require Complex Solutions
The effects of climate change on salmon stocks is a major challenge that Indigenous salmon peoples across the northern hemisphere have in common, with warmer temperatures affecting salmon spawning and survival both at sea and in watersheds.
Local knowledge holders, particularly Indigenous peoples, possess an intimate understanding of their lands and ecosystems. Ignoring this knowledge in decision-making is not only shortsighted but can also lead to devastating consequences for both the environment and the communities that depend on it. The crisis affecting Salmon populations is a prime example of this.
Invasive species in northern Fennoscandian rivers, such as Pink Salmon, have caused additional strain on native Salmon like the Atlantic salmon species. The Norwegian government attempts to stop the soaring numbers of pink salmon by erecting fish traps in the rivers. Coastal and river salmon fishers in Sápmi are frustrated by the lack of attention to the value of pink salmon as a resource, while it is being valued and harvested as important food by Indigenous peoples in Alaska. Frustration of the people that see, and witness, the barriers across entire rivers which stops both pink and Atlantic salmon migration, disturb the natural balance without having an effect on the larger patterns driving the increase of some species and the demise of others. That regulatory interventions fail to take into account Indigenous values and perspectives, and the knowledge of local people, not only have the effect of disrupting species migration but also undermine Indigenous peoples' traditional livelihoods and food systems and their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The Sami coastal fishers’ organization Bivdu opined that the Salmon decline is not simply a matter of overfishing but of governmental inaction and passive responses to the deeper structural issues.
Salmon and the People: A Shared Struggle for Survival
Salmon are more than just a food source for many Indigenous peoples; they are an integral part of their culture, spirituality, and history. As was powerfully remarked, “We celebrate being together, but also grieve with you. Your history is our history.” This profound connection between people and Salmon reflects how deeply intertwined their fates are.
In Alaska, the crisis is existential. A study reveals that Salmon make up 52% of the diet for Athabaskan communities, and the disappearance of this crucial food source has led to a rise in diabetes and food insecurity, which now affects 97% of the population. Today’s youth grow up without ever having seen a Salmon, as fishing bans and criminalization of traditional practices threaten the very fabric of their culture.
Thus the consequences are not just physical or economic, but deeply cultural. Salmon are central to Indigenous ceremonies, community gatherings, and the transmission of knowledge across generations.
A Fight for Justice and Sustainable Solutions
A resounding theme from the conversations about Salmon survival is the need for justice and self-determination. Indigenous governance, stewardship, and knowledge must be central to the efforts to protect Salmon. This is not just about preserving a species; it is about decolonizing systems of management that have often failed both people and the environment. Governments must move beyond technical, one-size-fits-all solutions, which often end up favouring recreational or commercial interests over Indigenous subsistence fishing. For example, as was pointed out, commercial trollers take thousands of species while subsistence fishers are increasingly restricted.
“If people can’t subsistence fish, why are we fishing commercially?”
The Salmon crisis is exacerbated by climate change, but it is equally driven by policies that do not account for the cultural significance of Salmon to Indigenous peoples. In this picture, food sovereignty and food traditions is a vital part. Read this blog post on one of the sessions from the Indigenous Salmon Research Symposium here: Salmon in Indigenous Food Systems.
Sharing Knowledge Across Cultures
At the public meeting in Tanabru with as many as 80 participants with international guests and local participants, Darren Sylvester explained how he passes on the tradition of spearfishing with and for Elders (Nova Scotia, Canada). A "Salmon dance": which is both a physical activity and a spiritual experience. It helps share traditions, appreciate nature, and respect Elders. He shared a story about his grandson catching a Salmon to feed his grandparents, showing the pride and connection that comes with this. It reminds us of the importance of keeping Salmon around for future generations — a reminder of what is at stake if Salmon are lost.
Darren Sylvester spearfishing. Photo credit: Darren Sylvester, private album
The DeanuInstituhtta had produced a book on the history of the River Sami culture in English for the occasion, which was presented on the public meeting. See the presentation here.
What connects the two contexts is the changing state of watersheds that Indigenous communities rely on and are deeply concerned with, in addition to the need to communicate traditions and values from elder to younger generations.
A Path Forward: Centering Indigenous Knowledge
The ongoing gatherings of Indigenous Salmon peoples offer a space for hope, resilience, and collaboration. The drafting of a declaration asserting Indigenous Peoples rights and offering concrete plans of action was one collaborative step forward. As these communities come together, they are not only advocating for the Salmon but also for a world in which Indigenous governance and stewardship are respected and upheld.
“We survived,” was a sentiment shared at the gathering.
The survival of Salmon is about more than keeping them in the wild—it’s about the survival of cultures, ecosystems, and ways of life. The story of Salmon is the story of Indigenous resilience against colonisation, climate change, and modern development.
In conclusion, Salmon survival requires more than technical fixes. It demands justice, equity, and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in decision-making. By working together, there is hope for both Salmon and the communities that have thrived alongside them for generations.
Participants of the Indigenous Salmon Research Symposium. Not all were present at the time when the picture was taken.
Front row: Tatiana Degai, Emma Hoogland, Vegar Bæhr, Camilla Brattland, Brandy Mayes, Jazmyn Vent, Michelle Quilin, Mackenzie Sleeman, Deenaalee Chase-Hodgon, Beaska Niillas. Second row: Paivi Abernethy, Jacqueline Moustakas-Verho, Barbara Sylvester, Kasey Stirling, Lorraine Marshall, Claire Sarson, Karee Vallevand, Benn Larsen, Inge Arne Eriksen, Steinar Pedersen, Andrea Reid, Harald Gaski, Nadine Kochuten, Gunn-Britt Retter, Rauna Kuokkanen, Kati Eriksen, Aila Biret Selfors. Third row: Alberta Sam, Chad Walker, Michael Charlton, Jaakko Erkinaro, Ann Eileen Lennert, Heather Smith, Gro Ween, Darren Sylvester, Juha Hiedanpää, Robert Grabowski, Dennis Zimmerman, Finn Arne Bieski Selfors. - Photo credit: Minetta Westerlund
Acknowledgements
The local organizers were: UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Sámediggi, Saami Council, DeanuInstituhtta, Joddu National Wild Salmon Centre, and the International Indigenous Salmon Peoples Network.