Yurok Tribe acquires 50,000-acres of Historic land, including Blue Creek

video
play-sharp-fill

KLAMATH, Ca (KIEM) – History is made on Monday in Klamath after the Yurok Tribe acquires 50,000 acres of land from Green Diamond. It was a decade-long process that turned into a celebration at Blue Creek.

Tribal members are singing cultural songs of joy on this beautiful day.

The Yurok Tribe is celebrating their achievement. But Blue Creek is not unfamiliar to the Tribe. The 50,000-acre land that has forest surrounding four salmon sustaining streams was once theirs.

“Historical moment that we get to get this beautiful Creek back in the ownership of the Yurok Tribe,” said Joseph L. James, Tribal Chairman.  

The process started back in 2006. The Yurok tribe worked with the Green Diamond Resource Company and Western Rivers Conservancy for 10-years to make this happen. Green Diamond held the land while the Yurok Tribe and Western Rivers Conservancy pursued funds for the acquisition.

“This is the first major transaction of this nature that we’ve done here in California to sell 50,000 acres in our ownership here in California. It’s a very significant transaction for Green Diamond,” said Jason Carlson, Green Diamond Vice President and General Manager for California Operations.

The tribe is restoring around 15,000 acres in Blue Creek into the old-growth forest and a salmon sanctuary.

“Blue Creek is a staple for the Yurok Tribe. It provides fishery transfers. It’s a huge culture component and a huge identity to the Yurok Tribe,” said James.

After this partnership of transferring ownership, the Green Diamond company looks forward to future opportunities with the tribe.

“We’re looking forward to counting to work together with the Yurok Tribe on many different things going forward. It’s an excellent day,” said Carlson.

The Tribe is more than ecstatic to have their ancestral land back.

“Beginning of time, we were keepers of this land. And now to work in partnership to get this land back, it’s exciting and huge for the Yurok Tribe. It’s a beautiful day for the Yurok Tribe,” said James.

Yurok biologist, foresters, and cultural experts are nearly finished with a plan to create the one-of-its-kind salmon sanctuary in Blue Creek.

-Paid Advertisement-