This poem tells the story of salmon, a keystone species and first foods for many Native peoples across the earth. Salmon follows the same journey its ancestors have for over 4 million years, traveling without hesitation to an unknown and faraway place. Physiologically changed by its journey to the ocean, salmon travel thousands of miles in their lifetime, only to return to their natal stream to give their bodies back to the forests from which they came.

Habitat destruction, hydropower, overharvestings, and land theft, combined with developing threats from climate change have pushed more than a dozen species of salmon close to extinction. The ocean is warming and taking biodiversity, the stuff of life, along with it. While much work lays before us with respect to a changing climate, this piece is a reminder to not lose hope but to take to the unknown with both joy and trust, as salmon do, have done, and will continue to do until their very last breath.

This print was created in collaboration with Bark, Watchdog for Mt. Hood for Earth Day, April 2022. So often, particularly in white-led conservation spaces, there is an overtone of discouragement in the face of today’s changing climate. This intervention is meant to reinsert joy into this work. While far from simple, this is not the first time this earth or its peoples have faced catastrophe and it will it be the last.

take to the water, with joy! 15” x 22, “ 2022, closed edition restrike of an original poem letterpress printed with moveable type on Wild White 111#, edition of 30.

Mix of images by the artist with print photo by Sean McDonald.