Works from top tribal artists on tap for salmon restoration

Gala fundraiser also set to include Spirit of the Salmon awards

Portland, Oregon--More than 300 art lovers and appetites are expected from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Portland's Governor Hotel, 611 S.W. 10th Ave, for the fourth annual Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum Gala, a fundraiser for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission's Spirit of the Salmon Fund.

The event, co-chaired by Oregon former First Lady Sharon Kitzhaber and Norm Thompson chairman, CEO and president John Emrick, features a wild-salmon feast along with silent and live auctions of more than 60 original works from top Northwest Indian artists.

"Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum," from the Sahaptin language common to many Columbia Basin Indian tribes, means "salmon people." Tribal culture has long revered salmon's importance for food, religion and livelihood. Though dams and other challenges have decimated once-robust runs, Indian fishers and scientists are working to restore the salmon's place in the Columbia River Basin. Gala proceeds benefit the Commission's salmon-restoration projects.

Visit www.critfc.org to preview the gala's art-auction items online. Tickets, $50 per person or $500 per 10-person table, are available at (503) 238-3555.

CRITFC will cap the evening with its 2004 Spirit of the Salmon Awards, honoring the following 11 recipients for tireless work in salmon restoration:

• Antone Minthorn, board of trustees chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation: Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing lifelong commitment and significant contributions to promoting partnerships, fostering understanding and providing bold leadership in efforts to restore and protect Columbia River salmon.
• Dr. Gleyn Bledsoe, professor of biological systems engineering, Washington State University: Education Award, honoring significant contributions to widespread public education on salmon and the role it plays in the lives of all Pacific Northwest creatures.
• Leo Bowman, Benton County (Wash.) Commissioner: Public Partnership Award, recognizing a local government that has taken a significant community leadership role in supporting salmon restoration.
• Idaho Rivers United, a Boise-based conservation organization nearing its 15th year: Private Partnership Award, celebrating a business that has developed rich partnerships in pursuit of salmon restoration.
• Ecotrust, an organization dedicated to promoting conservation-based development: Conservation Advocacy Award, honoring an advocacy organization that has best focused its resources in behalf of salmon.
• Karan M. Matta, volunteer extraordinaire and an administrative services employee at Gas Transmission Northwest: Volunteer Award, honoring a person who embodies the volunteer spirit so necessary to restore salmon.
• Billy Frank Jr., chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission: Leadership Award, recognizing an individual who, like the salmon, relies on instincts to make progress in recovering the species, while brushing past obstacles that would bar the way of one less bold.
• Charles "Pete" Hayes, Nez Perce Tribe; Levi George, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; Eugene Greene Sr., Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon; Sam Kash Kash, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation: Hall of Fame Award, honoring past or present commissioners of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission who have demonstrated overwhelming commitment to putting fish back in the rivers and protecting the watersheds where fish live.