Lamprey Celebration Honors Ancient Fish

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Jun 28, 2026 · 1m

Hundreds gathered at the Yakama Nation’s fifth annual Lamprey Celebration along the Willamette River to honor the ancient, culturally vital Pacific lamprey — a fish whose numbers have plummeted by up to 70% due to dams and habitat loss. Tribal members harvested, shared, and even released lamprey near spawning grounds, while elders taught traditional preparation methods and attendees got hands-on with these nutrient-rich, jawless wonders. The event also spotlighted a major conservation push to “rewild” Willamette Falls, aiming to restore the land and reconnect Indigenous communities with this…