As the iconic migration of salmon returning from the ocean to spawn upstream has begun, our impact campaigns are also entering a new stage of life. Through social media, podcasts, and several events across Washington, Guardians of Life has become a worldwide pathway to a hopeful, Indigenous-led conservation movement. The collective of Braided River authors and photographers working on capturing the wild and sacred lands of America’s Arctic continues to grow. Big River takes on new life as a multimedia traveling exhibit. As the spawning cycle provides vital nutrients to local ecosystems, we hope the power of collective action through Braided River campaigns will do just that—feed a thriving planet and communities.

**The Momentum Continues: Guardians of Life Events Recap**

Earlier this month, National Geographic Explorer and photographer of Guardians of Life, Kiliii Yüyan, interviewed with KNKX and the incredible Bellamy Pailthorp, highlighting the campaign’s core question: Why are Indigenous communities so often so good at conservation? This 8-minute listen dives into the success of Indigenous people in conservation as vital to their cultural survival, and the power of place-based knowledge and place-based love.

Kiliii had a quick turnaround, presenting as a keynote panelist with Free Borsey (Lummi) from Setting Sun Productions as part of North Cascades Institute’sNature of Writing series the following day. The afternoon was packed with rich, in-depth storytelling of Indigenous sovereignty at the Western Washington UniversityLonghouse.

Just last week, Kiliii joined The Mountainteers in celebration of Guardians of Life and their BeWild Speaker Series. Kiliii shared with a full house how his Chinese and Nanai/Hézhè identities influence his work within the heart of Indigenous communities around the world, and his background as a traditional kayak builder. We were joined by Save Our wild Salmon, Columbia Snake River Campaign, and Feathered Friends.

Support the Guardians of Life campaign by purchasing your signed book and signed, limited edition print.

Protect the Arctic

The Bureau of Land Management is considering a proposal for rubber-stamp approval of all oil and gas development in the Western Arctic, eliminating reviews for applications that meet generic environmental impact criteria (which corporations can apply for exemptions from). The proposal, petitioned by the Alaska Oil and Gas Association and fast-tracked shortly after by the Department of the Interior, mandates review of applications within 14 days, granting development approval in as few as 60 days.

Bringing oil and gas into the Western Arctic will harm one of the world’s most climate-critical landscapes, breeding grounds for migratory birds, and the lifeways of local communities. What happens in the Western Arctic will be felt around the world.

Through Braided River’s Alaska Journalism Grant, Overlooked & Untold Stories, Braided River authors and photographer Lynda Mapes and Paul Bannick traveled to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this summer. Renowned in their fields of environmental reporting and bird photography, Lynda and Paul are among several Braided River contributors advocating for protection of America’s Arctic. By producing timely reporting and imagery, they hope to educate and spread awareness about the wildlife, Indigenous peoples, and flourishing public lands that exist within the Arctic Refuge. Their platforms reach audiences beyond the echo chamber, forwarding the mission to Protect the Arctic.

Big River Exhibit Coming Soon!

After two years of impactful events across the Columbia Basin featuring award-winning photographer, wildlife biologist, and tracker David Moskowitz and author Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, we are excited to share news of an upcoming exhibit and interactive digital map in partnership with American Rivers.

The exhibit features 30 stunning images from Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin and celebrates the beauty and biological, cultural, and economic significance of the of the Columbia River watershed. The exhibit reflects on current challenges facing the region and the River People working on sustainable solutions, while the digital map invites people to explore the various ecosystems of the river.

The exhibit is nearly finalized, and we are eager to get it out in the world! Stay tuned for where Big River: The Exhibit will be displayed first.

Action item of the month

Protect Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments

Earlier this month, Trump signed two executive orders cutting the size of Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments once again.

In his first term, Trump pushed to reduce the Bears Ears Monument by 88 percent and the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument by half, both of which were reversed during Biden’s presidency. This month’s executive orders shrunk the monuments to 302,600 acres, less than a quarter of what remained after Trump’s previous push. Cuts to Bears Ears and Escalante, among other public land orders orchestrated by the Trump Administration, are driven by mining, drilling, and grazing interests. Despite the monuments being led by co-stewardship efforts after years of local Native advocacy, Tribal officials were not consulted on the recent reduction of the monuments.

Author and photographer of Living River, Dave Showalter remains hopeful in his call to action, saying: “Indeed, the Grand Canyon, and 30 other treasured national parks began as national monuments. Bryce, Zion, Grand Teton, Saguaro, all of Alaska’s National Parks…So, there’s nothing outsized about the designation of Escalante and Bears Ears; and there’s plenty of strong precedent for their protection.”

Sign Conservation Lands Foundation’s petition to President Trump and your representatives to advocate for these monuments—for their free-roaming wildlife, waters, and visitors (despite President Trump’s claim that you can’t roam freely in these monuments, you can on over 90% of their land), and for the Indigenous people who rely on these landscapes for food, medicine, healing, spiritual practices, and more. Learn more about the threat to Bears Ears and Escalante through Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, Grist, and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

⭐NEW with Braided River: Follow us on TikTok @braidedriver for more timely updates on Braided River campaigns!