MAKE HISTORY WITH US

The largest dam removal in history has just occurred on the Klamath River. Ríos to Rivers has been preparing a group of Indigenous youth from multiple tribes in the region to make the first full descent from source to sea this summer. As these young paddlers reconnect sections of the river that haven't flowed freely in over a century, they honor the elders who fought to restore the Klamath and its cultural lifeways, while stepping into their roles as the next generation of environmental leaders. Using kayaks, inspired by the historical use of canoes by their tribes, the Paddle Tribal Waters youth aim to ignite a global movement, reconcile a stolen history, and build a future of hope and healing.

Watch this film by American Whitewater and Ríos to Rivers on the Klamath Dam Removal with Paddle Tribal Waters

TO MEET THIS HISTORIC MOMENT,
YOUR DONATION WILL SUPPORT:

  • YOUTH TRAINING: Provide in-depth training for Native youth from the Klamath and surrounding river basins, including a semester-long high school program with an Indigenized curriculum. This will help them build kayaking, leadership, and advocacy skills, preparing them for this historic moment.

  • FIRST DESCENT: Engage community members to celebrate alongside the youth throughout the river’s 310+ mile journey, featuring community floats and traditional cultural events, and culminating in the grand Final Celebration.

  • FREE RIVERS SYMPOSIUM: Raise awareness of the critical need to protect river ecosystems, particularly highlighting the harmful effects of large hydropower dams on climate change and Indigenous communities, and inspire efforts to protect other endangered rivers worldwide.

  • DOCUMENTARY FILM: Inspire action for free-flowing rivers by producing a feature-length documentary that chronicles the Paddle Tribal Waters youths' journey, amplifying their voices and calling for global action.

  • NEXT GENERATION: Foster future Indigenous leaders by supporting the growth of local paddling clubs, led by Paddle Tribal Waters alumni, which will strengthen community bonds and elevate Indigenous voices in broader environmental and cultural advocacy.

DONATION TIERS

SUPPORT INDIGENOUS YOUTH PADDLERS

  • $100: Support meals for an Indigenous Youth Paddler on the First Descent of the free-flowing Klamath River

  • $500: Support safety gear for the First Descent of the Klamath 

  • $1,000: Support an Indigenous youth paddler’s river skills, leadership, and advocacy training

  • $5,000: Sponsor an Indigenous paddler’s full participation in the month-long, 310-mile First Descent of the Klamath River

  • $15,000: Sponsor three (3) Indigenous paddlers from other endangered river basins around the world to join the First Descent and share their knowledge at the Free Rivers Symposium

SUPPORT THE CELEBRATION & FREE RIVERS SYMPOSIUM

  • $10,000: Help fund educational and logistical expenses of the First Descent and Final Celebration

  • $25,000: Help fund community engagement, storytelling, and knowledge-sharing events throughout the First Descent, Final Celebration, and Free Rivers Symposium

  • $50,000: Be a title Sponsor for the Final Celebration, Free Rivers Symposium, and media events highlighting the significance of this historic moment and growing movement to protect free-flowing rivers 

SUPPORT THE DOCUMENTARY FILM OF THIS HISTORIC EFFORT

  • $100,000: Be an Executive Producer for our feature-length documentary for wide public distribution that will capture the First Descent, the Indigenous-led movement to restore the Klamath, and the global fight for free rivers

All 501(c)(3) donations are tax-deductible

Learn More About What We’ve Done So Far

Media

  • Paddle Tribal Waters Films have won “Best Short Film” at Wild and Scenic, Shining Mountain, and International Avante Guarde Film Festivals. It was the best film at Documentaries Without Boarders International Film Festival and has been part of two national tours.

Education, Careers, & Leadership

  • We offer year-round programming that focuses on cultural knowledge, river stewardship, leadership, and whitewater kayak and river safety training. Students develop confidence in their leadership abilities and career paths in related fields.

  • We support PTW alumni to create tribally-led river programs in their communities.

  • Last year, we launched Paddle Tribal Waters Academy, a semester-long intensive kayak training high school program in Chile and the PNW with an Indigenized curriculum, and supported thirteen students in attending. We are repeating this program again in 2025.

  • Paddle Tribal Waters Students Speak at White House: Two students presented about PTW at the White House to advocate for the cultural and environmental significance of undamming the Klamath River.

More Information: Paddle Tribal Waters Website