confederated tribes of the colville reservation

Three workers in orange vests and blue jeans stand on either side of a gray narrow trench. The two workers in the foreground of the picture are holding gray poles. Red and blue caution tape is draped into the trench. The trench in the foreground has gray cement in it. The third worker in the background is standing next to the spout on a cement truck. Gray cement is pouring down the spout into the trench.

Federal grant to help people in Northeastern Washington get hooked up to the power grid

Courtney Flatt

Some people in Northeastern Washington aren’t hooked up to the electric grid. But a new federal grant will help people in those remote places access electricity for the first time.

The Northport Bridge over the Columbia River in Washington state near the border with Canada. Portions of the upper Columbia River and its upland areas may be designated a Superfund site by the EPA.

EPA Proposes adding portions of 150 mile stretch of upper Columbia River to the Superfund list

Anna King

Lead contamination is the main concern along popular rivershore and recreational sites

This historical photo, provided to Oregon Public Broadcasting by Pacific University archivist Eva Guggemos, shows seven boys who came to the Forest Grove Indian Training School from the Spokane tribe in 1880. The Forest Grove school operated for a few years before being relocated to Salem and renamed Chemawa Indian School.

U.S. Department of Interior launches program to preserve federal Indian boarding school oral histories

Anna King

The federal government aims to document the experiences of Native Americans who endured forced attendance at government boarding schools

A man in a blue plaid shirt, black apron and white fedora holds a green bottle of olive oil above six pink filets of salmon. The filets are sitting on a white plastic table. A crowd of people stands behind him looking at a blue river.

Environment and Planning

For tribes, welcoming salmon to the Upper Columbia is a reminder of ‘lifelong work’

Courtney Flatt

Each Spring, Northwest tribes celebrate the first foods of the season. At a Colville ceremony marking the return of migrating salmon, ecological challenges were top of mind.

Casey Baldwin, a research scientist with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, points out a salmon nest, or redd, on the Sanpoil River.

Environment and Planning

Salmon spawning above Grand Coulee Dam a 'hopeful' sight

Courtney Flatt

Salmon are now spawning in waters blocked by Grand Coulee Dam. It's the start of a larger effort to reintroduce salmon into the blocked area.

Environment and Planning

Colville Tribe sues federal government over 2015 fires, forest mismanagement

Courtney Flatt

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation says it lost more timber in 2015 than has ever burned on a U.S. reservation. The tribe is suing the federal government over the damage.

Education and Training

Native-themed school mascots on borrowed time in Washington state -- unless nearby tribe approves

Tom Banse

Washington public schools with Native American-themed team names or mascots have a decision to make now that Gov. Jay Inslee has signed into law a ban on…

History and Culture

Tribes Release 1st Salmon Into Upper Columbia Since Dam Construction

Salmon are now swimming in the upper Columbia River for the first time in decades. For tribes, Friday’s ceremonial fish release is a big step toward…

Disasters and Accidents

‘Historic’ Wildland Fire Funding Request Goes to Washington’s Legislature

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz is asking the state legislature to nearly double funding to manage and respond to wildfire. Since 2008,…

Science and Technology

Washington Tribes Call on FCC to Prioritize Native Needs In Consideration of Licenses Change

The Federal Communications Commission is considering a rule change for licenses normally reserved for education and public broadcasting. In Washington…