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Nimíipuu Protecting the Environment is hosting a flotilla on August 15th and 16th at Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston, Idaho, to celebrate the profound opportunities a free-flowing lower Snake River and abundant salmon and steelhead will bring to the Northwest—Tribal justice, ecosystem health, community resilience, recreation, and more! This special two-day event will be our biggest rally on the river in years—and will also featuring on-land activities including inspiring Tribal speakers, food, live music, a film screening, and interactive art!
All are welcome to this free community gathering. Join us to listen, learn, and take meaningful action towards salmon recovery in the Columbia Basin and healing the Snake River. Register for free today!
Flotilla Weekend Schedule
Friday, August 15th
- 7:00pm-8:00pm: Live music by Seth Blankenship, food, and interactive salmon art activities
- 8:00pm-8:30pm: Speaking by Kayeloni Scott and Julian Matthews
- 8:30pm - 9:30pm: Outdoor screening of The Grand Salmon
Saturday, August 16th
- 9:00am: Gathering at the Asotin Boat Ramp (light breakfast provided)
- 9:30am: Flotilla launch from the Asotin Boat Ramp
- 9:30-11:30am: Rally on the water for a free lower Snake River
- Participants will paddle from the Asotin Boat Ramp to Hells Gate State Park (a ~2.6-mile paddle downstream)
- Please bring your own non-motorized watercrafts
- If you’re not able to join us on the river, you are welcome to just join for the on-land activities
- 11:30am-12:00pm: Flotilla welcoming blessing at Hells Gate shoreline
- 12:00pm-1:00pm: Salmon lunch and vendor tabling
- 1:00pm-2:30pm: Tribal Speakers sharing their wisdom and visions for the Basin (see below for more details on the speakers)
- 2:30-3:00pm: Closing with a blessing, song, and drums
- A shuttle will be available back to the Asotin Boat Ramp from Hells Gate starting 3pm
Featured Speakers
Julian F. Matthews is the Coordinator and a Board Member of Nimíipuu Protecting the Environment (NPTE). He is enrolled Nez Perce and has been actively involved in Environmental issues for the last 20 years primarily in response to threats made on or near the Treaty of 1855 and usual and accustomed areas. These areas are guaranteed to the Nimiipuu with the signing of the 1855 Treaty and in many instances, the federal, state or local governments or private interests interpret these rights quite differently than do the Nez Perce people.
Julian is committed to ensuring that the Treaty Rights to hunt, fish and gather are kept and protected for those who come after us as the Treaty of 1855 signers protected these rights for us to this day. His main goal is to ensure that Tribal youth and adults are educated and have good knowledge of issues affecting our people and also making sure that we (the Nimiipuu) take an active role in protecting our Treaty rights.
Ione I. Jones is a lineal descendant of the Original Peoples of Fishhook Bend, a place where Indigenous villages and communities once existed along on the Snake River.
Ione I. Jones is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama Nation (YN) - specifically as WOW-YICK-MA NAH-KHEE-UM NU-SHWA, the Palouse People of Snake River. Her father's family is from the Wind River reservation located in Fremont County of Wyoming State where the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone reside. She is a historical rescarcher, cultural programmer, and advocate studying the way modern systems impact Indian Country. lone conducts much of this work in her role as president and executive director of KHIMSTONIK, a grassroots native-led nonprofit she co-created in 2022.
The Lewis and Clark expedition and the colonization and settlement that came afterwards caused destruction for Southeastern Washington's Original Peoples and Persons. Most people have only read about what happened. But the Original Peoples and Persons still live with the impact. lone has dedicated her life to understanding how colonization and settlement affect the Original Peoples and Persons. She uses historical context to create culturally appropriate healing processes among those in the communities bordering federal reservations and those building lives around returning to their ancestral homelands and Indigenous lifestyles. Her goal is to weave connections between the current checkerboard approach to the land management of the Original Lands and Tribal initiative programs. Out of this weaving, lone is working to create programs that are sustainable and resilient for everyone.
Shannon F. Wheeler, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee (“NPTEC”), is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe. Mr. Wheeler has an entrepreneurial background and from 1990 to 2016, was primarily involved in his family business in various forms.
Mr. Wheeler was first elected to the NPTEC, the governing body of the Nez Perce Tribe, in May of 2016. In May of 2022, he was elected to his third three-year term. During his tenure on NPTEC, Mr. Wheeler has served as Treasurer (2017–2018), Chairman (2018–2021, 2023), and Vice- Chairman (2021 – 2022). Additionally, Mr. Wheeler has chaired numerous committees while serving on the NPTEC, including Budget and Finance Subcommittee, Land Commission Enterprise, Law and Order Subcommittee, and Climate Change/Energy Subcommittee.
On behalf of the Nez Perce Tribe, Mr. Wheeler has served on the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians’ Economic Development Committee, as a board member for American Rivers, and a variety of tribal boards and commissions.
Mr. Wheeler has been an integral part of the economic growth the Nez Perce Tribe has experienced over the last several years. The Tribe has invested in off-Reservation businesses and has made strategic land purchases in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon—areas within the original territory of the Nez Perce people. Mr. Wheeler is deeply rooted in the protection of natural resources and has advocated in many forms for the continued support and preservation of these life sources.
Angela Jackson is a Nez Perce Tribal member and lifelong Lewiston, Idaho resident. She is a mother, sister, and auntie who values family, community, and showing up authentically in all areas of life. Angela earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business-General with a minor in Nimiipuutímt, and her Associate of Arts in Humanities, both from Lewis-Clark State College. She enjoys learning her Tribe’s language, spending time with loved ones, and getting out on the water or into the outdoors whenever she can.
Don Sampson served as the Executive Director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation of Oregon for 10 years (2021-2024 & 2003-2010) .
He also served for 7 years as the Climate Change Project Director for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, a consortium of 57-tribes in the Pacific Northwest. In 2015 he was one of 15 Indigenous representatives from North America at the Paris Climate Accords (COP21). In 2020 he was a top ten national finalist for the American Climate Leadership Award.
Don was the former Executive Director of the Institute of Tribal Government (2012-2017) part of the Center for Public Service at Portland State University. Don also served as Board of Trustees Chairman (1994-1997) of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon; overseeing all tribal government and business operations with over 1500 employees. He was the Executive Director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission from 1997-2003. Don served at President and Board Member, Native American Fish & Wildlife Society (1993-1997). He is an enrolled citizen of the Umatilla Tribe.
Don has a B.S. in Fisheries Management from the University of Idaho. He is the hereditary Chief of the Walla Walla Tribe – a lifelong position. He was also recently appointed to the Umatilla Fish & Wildlife Commission .
Kayeloni Scott is an enrolled Spokane Tribal Member with strong Nez Perce ancestry. She grew up in the Lewiston, Idaho area where she attended high school and, subsequently, college at Lewis Clark State. She received her bachelor’s degree in business and communications. From 2017-2022, she served as the Communications Manager for the Nez Perce Tribe, then American Rivers as the Communications Director for the Northwest Region for over a year. She has continued her work with the Nez Perce Tribe, providing communications consulting on Lower Snake River issues, is a co-producer for Covenant of the Salmon People, and is currently serving in the capacity of Executive Director for the Columbia/Snake River Campaign.
Directions - Getting There
Where to Rent Watercrafts
- University of Idaho Outdoor Rental Center (Moscow, ID)
- Lewis and Clark College Float and Tote Rental Center (Lewiston, ID)
If you are participating in the flotilla, you are responsible for bringing your own non-motorized watercraft (kayak, canoe, raft, etc.). Personal Flotation Devices are also strongly encouraged.
How to Reserve a Campsite at Hells Gate
Note: All campsites at Hells Gate State Park are already reserved for Aug 15-17. Campsites are still available at Chief Timothy Campground in Clarkston, WA (20-minute drive from Hells Gate State Park) and can be made at www.campspot.com/book/chief-timothy-park
- Go to https://getoutside.idaho.gov/hells-gate/camping
- Enter the zip code of your residential address.
- From the calendar on the left, select a check-in date of Friday, August 15 and a check-out date of Saturday, August 16. Click the green button below the calendar that says “Map View for 8/15 to 8/16”.
- Once in map view, if you have any requirements for your site (e.g. ADA sites, RV sites, etc.), check them in on the left. Then, from the map, select any of the three loops. Within those loops, select the site you want to reserve.
- Click the red “Reserve” button on the left. Input your vehicle, guest, and payment information, and then select the blue “Reserve” button from the bottom right. Note down what site you reserved before closing out.
- When arriving at Hells Gate State Park on August 15, make sure to check in at the Park Office before heading to your campsite.
Email abbys@wildsalmon.org with any questions or if you need assistance reserving a campsite.
Thank You!
You're all set to attend the Envisioning a Restored Lower Snake River Flotilla on August 15th and 16th at Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston, ID. A confirmation email will be sent to you shortly.