Joy Abrahamson, a young member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, has founded Aboriginal Outfitters (AO), a nonprofit dedicated to connecting local youth to land stewardship and reminding the community that Water is Life. Aboriginal Outfitters has launched a siwɫkʷ prutəktər (Okanagan Salish nsəlxcin) “water caretaker” program that is working to protect the Columbia River watershed and all its tributaries. Their sic cwix “new river” campaign is focused on bringing attention to the cultural significance of removing Enloe Dam and restoring the Similkameen River.

The Similkameen River is the largest tributary of the Okanogan River. The river has cultural and spiritual significance for many local tribes and its removal is supported by the Colville Tribal Business Council, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band.

Why Remove the Dam?

Enloe Dam has restricted fish passage since it was first built as a wooden dam in 1906. Dams raise water temperatures which impacts fish survival. Steelhead numbers have dwindled in the Okanogan and Similkameen Rivers in recent years.

For the last 63 years, Enloe Dam has not produced power. It currently fulfills no function. Okanogan County Public Utility District (OPUD) manages the dam. In 2019, OPUD voted unanimously not to electrify the dam. However, the Utility District, and in turn rate payers, continue to pay for dam upkeep: currently OPUD is funding a required $7 million dam-safety study.

An Idea Grows

During the spring of 2020, Joy Abrahamson started Aboriginal Outfitters when she was home from Eastern Washington University and looking to promote local land stewardship in the Okanogan and connect with the teachings of her ancestors. She launched a social media page, which quickly gained followers. When she heard about efforts to remove Enloe Dam and ecologically restore the Similkameen River, she launched a petition for dam removal which has since gained 400 signatures. Her efforts have blossomed into a nonprofit organization.

MVCC supports the mission of Aboriginal Outfitters. We’re especially excited about the sic cwix campaign and are inspired to see tribal members raising their voices about the cultural significance of the Similkameen and the importance of removing Enloe Dam and restoring a free-flowing river. You can support the sic cwix campaign by signing the petition and sharing their important work with others.

Why do you Support Dam Removal?

The short video below, “The Untold Story of Enloe Dam”, by Aboriginal Outfitters makes a strong case for why the dam should be removed. What are your reasons for supporting dam removal?

Share a video about why the Similkameen river is important to you on Restore Similkameen’s website here and you’ll be sent a free t-shirt. Restore Similkameen is a separate community-driven effort to build support for dam removal that is working closely with Aboriginal Outfitters to ensure cultural values and current scientific information are honored. Sharing your reasons helps Restore Similkameen and Aboriginal Outfitters to know where and why dam removal has broad support.