Native American people visit salmon with cultural links

Chief Caleen Sisk-Franco of the Winnemem Wintu tribe at the Glenariffe Stream

Fish & Game recently escorted 27 members of the Native American tribe, the Winnemem Wintu, to the headwaters of the Rakaia River. The tribe, who came to New Zealand to investigate taking salmon back to restock their river, wanted to see the wild salmon spawning. They were not disappointed. Several salmon were observed creating their gravel nests of ‘redds’ in the bed of the Glenariffe Stream.

Background	Chinook salmon were brought to New Zealand from the McCloud River in California. This strain of salmon were wiped out with the creation of the Shasta Dam, which flooded the spawning grounds treasured by the Winnemem Wintu.
A timely reminder	The Regional Manager of Fish & Game Ross Millichamp said it was a good reminder to New Zealanders of what happens when you put in a barrier, such as a dam, and block salmon from migrating to their spawning sites. “In New Zealand this is a very real threat. For example, the dam proposed for the South Branch of the Hurunui would cut off the majority of the salmon run for the Hurunui Catchment,” said Mr Millichamp.
The next stage	After seeing the wild salmon the group were shown the Fish & Game Hatchery at Montrose and given the opportunity to release salmon into the river. When they return to America the tribe must negotiate for water to be routed past the dam, restoring the connection between the ocean and the spawning grounds.
Contact	For further information contact Emily Arthur Fish & Game Officer North Canterbury 03 366 9191 021 221 8332

Members of the Winnemem Wintu tribe at the Glenariffe Stream

Fish & Game staff, Ngai Tahu and members of the Winnemem Wintu

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