John Miller, a member of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, holds one of the fish donated. Credit: D.J. Monette/USFWS

Hatchery salmon donated to local tribes

When the White River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel, Vermont was severely damaged by Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011, 25 percent of the salmon brood stock was killed. The facility and the remaining fish were exposed to the possibility of fish pathogens and the invasive algae known as didymo, or “rock snot.” The decision was made to then depopulate the facility so it can be cleaned and decontaminated. At the recommendation of the USFWS, the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission agreed to donate these fish, still viable for human consumption, to federally recognized Tribal governments in the northeast for use in traditional feasts, special events, ceremonies, or use in Tribal food banks, among other purposes. The first of the fish donated from the facility was to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, a Tribe from Maine that historically harvested Atlantic salmon.

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USFWS Native American Liaison D.J. Monette hands over keys to Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council. Credit: MWT

Boat Donation Will Bring Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Members Back to Nature

In July 2010, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Cape Cod received a boat from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) that will be used to help bring its members closer to nature and back to their roots.

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Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council and Tribal Fish, Wildlife and Natural Committee members and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Native American Liaison D.J. Monette celebrate a day of connecting with nature. USFWS

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to Begin Connecting Tribal Members with Nature

As the early morning sun rose over Falmouth Harbor May 21, members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council, the Tribal Fish, Wildlife and Natural Resources Committee, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service met to develop plans for a program to connect Tribal members with nature program. Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell lead as the group made their way to the dock for a morning of fishing – which will be one of many ways that the Tribe will connect its members to the natural world. By experiencing an outdoor activity like fishing first-hand, the group is optimistic that its Tribal Council will support a more formal program to reconnect its members to nature.

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