Originally published in Columbia Riverkeeper “Currents” Issue 1, 2026
By Simone Anter, Senior Attorney & Clean Up Hanford Program Director
Columbia Riverkeeper has partnered with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Ḱamíłpa (kah-MILT-pah) (Rock Creek) Band of Yakama Nation for nearly two decades to stop the destruction of Pushpum. Located along the Columbia River near the John Day Dam, Pushpum is a sacred site for ceremonies, legends, and gathering of traditional roots and medicines. As a natural seed bank, this landscape contains rich biodiversity in plant and animal life that, once removed, can never be fully restored.
The project area is within ceded lands of Yakama Nation, and the area has historically been used by Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation, and Nez Perce Tribe for hunting, traditional gathering, fishing, camping, and traditional ceremonies.
Rye Development’s pumped-storage plans would destroy a large swath of this sacred land, including archeological, ceremonial, petroglyph, monumental, and ancestral sites. Columbia Riverkeeper is working in court and in the court of public opinion to protect Tribal resources and advance a just transition from fossil fuels.
In May 2026, the Ḱamíłpa Band and Yakama Nation hosted a Protect Pushpum encampment, a day-long event featuring speakers, dancers, and ceremonies. Columbia Riverkeeper supported the event and is honored to stand in solidarity with Tribal Nations to advocate for Indigenous cultures, natural resources, and Treaty rights. Over 300 people attended the event, which was covered by media outlets online and around the country.
Photos by Paloma Ayala from the May 2026 Protect Pushpum event.
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