Children release baby salmon in Hangman Creek

 

Children from the Plummer-Worley School District and from the Coeur d'Alene School in DeSmet gathered Wednesday, May 7, at the Coeur d'Alene Aviary near Hangman Creek south of Tensed for s'ya'(psqi'n'm ulsmtich.

They released 400 juvenile Chinook salmon they had helped raise from eggs into Hangman Creek to swim to the ocean.

"We want to protect the earth and protect the salmon. Sometimes we do not know what to pray, so we do it through song to express the love in our hearts," said Caj Matheson, executive director of Natural Resources for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, in a ceremony for the event.

He then introduced the Rose Creek Singers, who sang.

Frank SiJohn then said he learned from his elders how to live in love. In Lovell Valley, where he grew up, his father told of going in 1913 to see salmon in the main streams of Hangman Creek on the reservation.

"That doesn't happen now, but we are releasing these small salmon and hope they will try to get back. We dream that in the future you kids will see the salmon come back," he said. "I am proud of what we have accomplished and will accomplish."

He invited about 100 children to have fun, knowing that when they become the leaders and elders, they will continue to protect the land and the salmon.

Elder Heme James told of his father's and uncles' stories of seeing salmon in Hangman Creek.

"Listen today, because when we are gone, some of you will push forth. The battle continues. We are trying to make the world better so, one day, fish will come here, and you will be here to catch them," he said. "The land, the trees and we scream. As we do that, we remember and yearn. Listen and take to heart what you hear so you can be part of the healing."

Aaron Penney, who works at the hatchery, gave the salmon to the children in clear plastic bowls and cups. This spring the hatchery released 5,000 baby salmon around the region.

For information, call 208-686-1800 or visit cdatribe-nsn.gov/nr