Shasta Indian Nation addresses BOS

Dear Honorable Representatives:

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today and have our voice heard. My name is Athena Bagwell. I am the vice-chairwoman of the Shasta Indian Nation and small business owner here in Siskiyou County. I have been sent with the consent and blessings of the tribal council and our members. In light of all the hype surrounding the removal of the Klamath River dams, we, the Tribal Council of the Shasta Indian Nation, would like to reiterate our position on this issue. Not that it will change minds, but may it change hearts. The dams in question are located exclusively within the aboriginal territories of the Shasta people, yet we have not been included, except by a selected few, in any of the discussions or decisions. Nor has our county, for that matter.

We were first contacted by PacificCorp in 2006 and met to discuss the re-licensing of the dams on two different occasions and stated our position clearly. Then there was, as we lovingly like to call, an Indian house cleaning and everyone was fired and replaced. Then we believe because of our position, we were no longer invited to nor informed of any further talks. Difference in opinion makes for healthy debate and assists in creating reasonable solutions; without it we have no freedom or democracy.

We have stated and continue to stand on our position that the dams remain as they are.

 

After many discussions with elders from our tribe, as well as other tribes and their leaders involved, they believe the same. We have also consulted with the people of the Keno community; they too feel the dams are not the real issue and would like them to remain. We are not speaking for any specific group except ourselves, but these were some of the concerns and talking points from the people we spoke with and they are valid.

The first being that in a time where people are concerned about their “carbon footprint,” wouldn’t it be in all of our interests to keep an already clean, renewable source of hydro power? In a time when we can get to the moon and shoot at it, can we figure out a way to get the salmon over the dams? Could we invest in the research and development of effective ladders and natural courses that would help them build strength and continue on their journey for a much lesser financial burden?

Yes, the salmon are very important to the Shasta, but so are people, all people. We really like to eat, so therefore we support our farmers and ranchers and believe we can all work together. A traditional Shasta home was built with cedar planks and we now enjoy the warmth and strength of these modern ones, so we embrace the timber industry. These relationships must be healed and nourished in cooperation with the other in order to function properly and be honoring of each other. Maintaining identity and working cooperatively is an attainable goal if we choose to consider it.

People are concerned about flood control, Keno especially. There is a high potential for property damage and septic seepage from the riverfront homes, subsequently contaminating the river. Many are concerned about the substantial rate increases they will incur and the underestimated projection costs of the dam removals. These are all issues that have been touched on, but not sufficiently answered. Most of the science presented is not even there, especially on the sediment issue, a major concern for us, yet they still want to move forward with it? It seems reckless and irresponsible, and this is no small matter that should be rushed as it is. If the river wants the dams out, the river has the ability to do it, but it seems to have compensated for them being there; so leave them be.

We’ve spoken with people that fished on the Klamath over 60 years ago, and they remember the river always had low spots, went through the natural change of seasons and camps had to be moved due to the fishy smell. The whole deal smells fishy now!

Our biggest concerns are the artifacts that will emerge, and will they be repatriated back to the Shasta people? Like we stated, we have not been invited to the talks, so we can only assume we will not be consulted on our historical sites and their contents. Are federal laws being ignored, as well?

As for the algae concern, a major fuel company has announced that it has invested in research and will soon have the ability to create renewable fuels from algae, toxic and non. That would seem like a better economic plan for all parties, our communities and our region.

That would include us, as well.

The Shasta people have been noted for our ability to make peace, respect others, work together and operate in our individual abilities and talents. We are asking only that the next right thing be done: Slow down, look at the bigger picture and consider what the solution really is, rather than belabor a hyped-up problem. There are many other roads that can be considered; dam removal should be a last resort rather than a jackpot deal for the KBRA “stakeholders,” leaving the taxpayers holding all the stakes. Consider the burden we would be adding to an ever-increasing debt that we are currently incurring and imposing on the American people.