Reconnecting a River, Reviving a Legacy
In association with 
“To be a part of the salmon reintroduction, it’s really an honor. For future generations to be able to fish salmon or see salmon again in the streams is what we’re really working towards.”
— Brutis Sijohn, Tribal Youth Intern, The Coeur d’Alene Tribe
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Journey to Restore Salmon to Hangman Creek
For the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, salmon are more than a food source — they are identity, ceremony, and memory. But for nearly a century, these fish were gone from the creeks and rivers of the reservation, their habitat drained for agriculture, their runs blocked by dams and degraded ecosystems.
Now, tribal members are leading a powerful effort to bring them back.
In this film, we follow the reintroduction of Chinook and sockeye salmon to Hangman Creek, a waterway once full of life, and hear firsthand how this work is healing both people and land. From hatchery operations and habitat restoration to cultural releases and community youth education, this is a story of science, sovereignty, and spiritual return.
With 25,000 salmon already released and more on the way, this initiative is reconnecting generations to place, tradition, and each other, making sure the next chapter of the Coeur d’Alene story includes the return of the salmon.
About Coeur d’Alene Tribe Department of Natural Resources
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe Natural Resources Department works to protect and restore our natural environment, integrating cultural knowledge, environmental stewardship, and community engagement for future generations.
