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Before Salmon Was King, Before Salmon Was Greed

caption: Ramona Morris, 82, is a Lummi elder and has lived on the reservation near Bellingham, Wash., her whole life. To her, salmon is more than food: it's a way of life.
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Ramona Morris, 82, is a Lummi elder and has lived on the reservation near Bellingham, Wash., her whole life. To her, salmon is more than food: it's a way of life.
KUOW Photo/Jeff Emtman

The Salish Sea is a network of waterways that run from northwestern Washington to British Columbia. The waters of the Salish Sea are home to some of the richest marine life on the planet. The Lummi Tribe of Northern Washington rely on the abundance of these waters, but the fish have been in decline for the last century and a half.

Today we begin a series called “Sacred Catch.” It explores the fishing rights of Native Americans in Washington state. Producer Jeff Emtman went to Bellingham to visit members of the Lummi Tribe to find out the role fishing plays in their way of life.

Follow #sacredcatch on Twitter and add your questions and insights.

Explore the full "Sacred Catch" series with additional audio, pictures and materials.

Sacred Catch Preview

Produced by Kara McDermott and Akiko Oda.

Funding for this story was provided by the KUOW Program Venture Fund. Contributors include Paul and Laurie Ahern, the KUOW board of directors and listener subscribers.

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