Shasta Nation Takes Stand On Dam Removal

PRESS RELEASE   

Shasta Nation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 1, 2008

Contact: Gary Lake , Vice Chairman, Shasta Nation,
541-621-0119 or shastanationnews@yahoo.com 

Yreka , CA , February 1, 2008 -  In all of the
controversy about dams on the Klamath River , dams that
reside wholly within Shasta Nation aboriginal lands,
the view of the Shasta Nation has not been heard until
now.

While a myriad of "issues" regarding the Klamath Basin
Water system can be discussed, three of utmost concern
come to mind.

Factual Historical Data, Water Quality and Customs and
Culture.

1. Factual Historical Data

Controversy resides along the Klamath River with
respect to historical data about water conditions
within Shasta Nation lands. The Shasta Nation has
credible and reliable historical knowledge of Klamath
River water flow conditions concerning dam removal
issues.

There is an extraordinary amount of flawed information
about scientific data promoting dam removal within
Shasta Nation aboriginal lands.

2. Water Quality

The oral history of the Shasta Nation accounts for the
Klamath and Shasta Rivers being continuously unfit
since time immemorial in accordance with coho salmon
habitation and, as noted on October 26, 1851 by George
Gibbs, a member of Col. Reddick McKee’s treaty
expedition, found the Shasta River to be "tepid and
unfit for use.”

It is the collective opinion of the Shasta Nation
Tribal Council that the removal of Klamath River dams
would be catastrophic to modern day water conditions
for fish habitat and water users.

3. Customs and Culture

According to Gibb's Journal, 1851, the aboriginal
boundary between the Shasta and Karuk Tribes was at
Clear Creek approximately 10 miles down river from
Happy Camp, CA. 

The Shasta Nation has not meddled with neighboring
Tribes natural resources. We are now exercising our
sovereign aboriginal territorial rights by demanding
the same respect from the Klamath, Yurok and Karuk
Tribes.

The Karuk Tribal leadership has gone to great lengths
with ghastly amounts of hard working tax payer dollars
to create the illusion that they have lived
historically in Happy Camp and Yreka CA , therefore
giving them the right to make decisions regarding the
four controversial dams that are within Shasta Nation
ancestral boundaries.

This illusion does not give the Karuk the right to
destroy Shasta Nation customs and culture and make
decisions with regards to Shasta Nation natural
resources. Not only does the Karuk agenda destroy
socioeconomic resources to property owners, ranchers,
farmers and residents of Siskiyou County , it is also
an attempt to obliterate Shasta Nation History past,
present and future. 

Let it be duly noted that non-Siskiyou County and
Shasta Nation influences are trying to dictate our use
of water within Siskiyou County and the Shasta
Nation's aboriginal territorial land.

We as Peoples united must not let water, like gold 150
years ago, tear the fabric of our community apart.

The Shasta Nation is OPPOSED to the dam removal
proposal.


With great respect,

Shasta Nation Tribal Council


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