Upstream Battle for dam removal

‘Upstream Battle’:  the movieThe Klamath River basin has been the scene of an upstream and sometimes uphill battle that has resulted recently in an apparent victory for tribes, agriculture and commercial fisheries. The movie “Upstream Battle,” released last year was produced by German filmmaker Joachim Schroeder and directed by Ben Kempas. Tribal members representing their communities in the film are Merv and Wendy George of the Hoopa tribe; Ron Reed, the son of the last Karuk; Richard Myers of the Yurok tribe; and Jeff Mitchell of the Klamath tribe.

The film aptly portrays the evolution of the struggle for dam removal as tribes, local farmers and commercial fisherman join forces to improve conditions on the Klamath River. In the beginning of the film, the tribes stand alone in efforts pitted against the power company, the farmers and commercial fisherman, but as the story develops, these former rivals find common ground and come together to move the cause forward.

This film is notable in its clear and matter-of-fact portrayal of the water use issues on the Klamath River. It clarifies the effect of the network of dams along the river on salmon migration and tribal subsistence fisheries. The filmmakers are successful in portraying tribal members sympathetically without oversimplifying or romanticizing the struggle to regain traditional fishing along the river.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Native Documentaries and News.