Learn about the amazing history of the Elwha River and its people from Vanessa Castle, tribal member and advocate.
Learn about the amazing history of the Elwha River and its people from Vanessa Castle, tribal member and advocate.
I was born and raised in Port Angeles, WA on the Lower Elwha Reservation. I grew up fishing with my mother and seeing our salmon numbers decline because of the two hydroelectric dams that were on the Elwha River. The Elwha dams were removed in the first ever and largest dam removal project in North America. For 5 years I worked for Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe as a Natural Resource technician where I braided my traditional ecological knowledge with the western world of science in my everyday work. Now, I am pushing on to pursue my education to back my traditional knowledge with western science.
My goals are to continue to fight for the lands, waters and all living things. I also will continue to fight for my people, the first peoples of this land and make sure our right to survive as Elwha Klallam people is protected. I will continue to fight for our treaties and food sovereignty.
I am currently the cultural conservation science coordinator for Panthera and the Tribal Engagement Coordinator for Ridges to Riffles.