Covenant of the Salmon People Goes International, Connecting with the People of Berlin

Covenant of the Salmon People Goes International, Connecting with the People of Berlin

Covenant of the Salmon People reaches the screen in Berlin, Germany as part of their Fluss Film Festival-Berlin learning more about the similarities in environmental work and restoration projects between the two countries.

Lapwai, Idaho- On January 15, 2025, Covenant of the Salmon People was featured during the Fluss Film Festival- Berlin 2025 at the Heinrish-Böll-Stiftung building. This marked the first occasion of the film formally reaching an international audience. The evening included a screening of the film, a panel discussion, and a networking reception afterwards.   

“When we first started this project, I made a comment that if I could go door to door across the country and share our story, I would. Of course, that’s not possible and this film would be our next best option,” said Nez Perce Tribe Chairman, Shannon F. Wheeler. “I knew our story would resonate with people but making it to Germany surpassed any expectation I had. It was an honor to be invited and a great opportunity to continue creating understanding for this critical issue of salmon recovery.”

The film, equipped with German translation, was slated for a smaller audience but ended up exceeding capacity with a full house, leaving some folks seated on the floor or standing. The panel included panelists Martin Pusch, Leibniz- Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries; Dave Johnson, Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resources Management Manger; and Kayeloni Scott, Columbia Snake River Campaign Director. 

“It was incredible to hear about the connection folks had with the film and the work people are doing there to try and recover various species, while restoring their environment. What resonated most though was how we connected over the loss of a species,” said Scott. “We learned that salmon used to run in their waters but through development and degradation of the land, they have not had salmon in their rivers for over 150 years. Now they are trying to figure out how to fix it and bring the species back,” continued Scott. “The work we are doing here in the Northwest part of the U.S., is truly an opportunity to fix something broken, before it is completely lost. We should be taking advantage of these opportunities to learn from other countries, like Germany, to avoid facing similar consequences.”

While in Berlin, Johnson and Scott also had the opportunity to meet with Dianna Nenz and Britta Ammermüller from the Federal Environment Ministry, who work on the National Water Strategy in Germany. The meeting included discussion about their water strategy and the challenges with changing policy. The conversation also provided the opportunity to share the challenges salmon are facing in the Snake River and some of the similarities in the obstacles of restoring rivers and habitat. 

The visit ended with a visit to the Leibniz- Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, where they run a sturgeon hatchery and reintroduction program, and a visit to a green space near the Spree River where folks have conducted recovery efforts for several years now. 

“This was a truly informative and enlightening trip. It really puts into focus what’s at stake if we don’t change the way we live and do business in the U.S. Hearing the stories and seeing the consequences that come with overdevelopment, reminds us just how difficult, and expensive, it can really get,” said Johnson. “It also gives us hope and provides some support for the work we are currently doing to recover salmon. We need to be cognizant of and appreciate the potential the Snake Basin habitat has for restoring fish and we need to work together now to solve this problem, before it’s too late.”

Photo Credit: Claudia Kristine Schmidt