ODFW agreement with Grand Ronde tribe sets off conflict over fishing rights at Willamette Falls

A conflict over fishing access has some of Oregon’s federally recognized tribes at odds with both each other and the state’s Fish & Wildlife Commission. The commission voted last month to allow the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to issue hunting and fishing licenses to its own members. It’s approved similar agreements with four other tribes, but the wording of Grand Ronde’s agreement has members of the Yakama, Warm Springs, Nez Perce and Umatilla tribes worried that they could lose access to fishing at Willamette Falls. 

Joining us to explain what’s at stake and what comes next are Karina Brown, managing editor of Underscore News, and Nika Bartoo-Smith, a joint reporter for Underscore and ICT. 

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