Indigenous youth complete 310-mile Klamath River journey after dam removals

On July 11, more than 120 Indigenous youth kayakers completed a 310-mile descent of the newly undammed Klamath River, according to Underscore Native News. Youth from the Klamath, Yurok, Karuk, Quartz Valley, Hoopa Valley, Warm Springs and Tohono O’odham Nations were welcomed at the river’s mouth below Requa Village on the Yurok Reservation after a 30-day journey.

Former Yurok Tribal Chair Susan Masten called the event a historic moment, saying, “The river remembers.” The descent marked the culmination of the largest dam removal project in history. Two Redwood dugout canoes led the youth to the landing, where elders, family and community gathered to celebrate. “It’s not just a river trip,” said Danielle Frank, Hupa tribal member and Yurok descendant. Frank called it “ a letter of love” and “a letter of promise.”