DR Michel

Executive Director of The Upper Columbia United Tribes

Kettle Falls, WA

September 5, 2024

One hundred and one river miles from Grand Coulee Dam, lies a place called Kettle Falls. If paddling or driving by, you won’t see nor hear the impressive falls that provided a meeting place of salmon, water, and people for thousands of years. In 1940, the installation of Grand Coulee dam created the reservoir dubbed Lake Roosevelt, drowning the falls, as well as much of the history and culture along with it. 

Perched above the bank of Lake Roosevelt and the former Kettle Falls, Westies met with DR Michel. Michel is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. With decades of experience in resource management, forestry, business, Michel has a deep understanding and passion for all things salmon. Michel now works as the executive director of the Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT). UCUT is a non-profit which focuses on improving river conditions for salmonids, wildlife, and humans.

Michel spoke to Westies about the complex state of the salmon run on the Upper Columbia, as well as upstream environmental pollutants, with large downstream effects. Michel shared with Westies about a metal processing plant on the Columbia river north of the U.S. Canada border, that contaminated the river with metal toxins. He went on to speak about the pathways forward to a cleaner river.The Westies were lucky to speak with Michel, as he reflected that he was not educated about the cultural and tribal significance of Kettle Falls growing up, and is now working to change that for today's youth. 

Michel holds an optimistic view that we can use both technology and traditional practices to bring a healthier run of salmon. “We’re talking about passage within the current construction, to avoid those politics around dam removal…we still feel like there is enough room and technology to make a substantial run.” Through Michel’s knowledge and optimism, Westies furthered their understanding of the politics and practices regarding salmon recovery in the Columbia Basin, as well as the everlasting impacts of Grand Coulee Dam. 

by Owen Schott