Andrew Wildbill, wildlife program manager for the Department of Natural Resources of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, demonstrates how to fillet a salmon for a group of students June 1, 2026, at the Mission Longhouse. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
MISSION — More than a dozen tribal youth gathered at the Mission Longhouse to learn the traditional art of salmon processing. Dick Wolf kicked off the lesson by demonstrating the proper way to debone a fish, while Andrew Wildbill, wildlife program manager for the Department of Natural Resources of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, taught students how to properly fillet salmon and use every part of the fish to avoid waste. Wenix RedElk, public outreach and education specialist for the DNr for the CTUIR, provided hands-on assistance as students practiced filleting fish. Through the lesson, the children gained practical skills while strengthening their connection to cultural traditions and the long-standing relationship between tribal communities and salmon.
Angel Calvillo, left, and Kiya Orna, right, remove scales from a salmon June 1, 2026, at the Mission Longhouse. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)Lisa McIntosh, left, learns how to fillet a salmon from Wenix RedElk, right, on June 1, 2026, at the Mission Longhouse. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)Andrew Wildbill, wildlife program manager for the Department of Natural Resources of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, demonstrates to students how to fillet a salmon down to the bone on June 1, 2026, at the Mission Longhouse. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)David Wolf, left, teaches Briaire Azure, right, how to properly remove bones from a salmon on June 1, 2026, at the Mission Longhouse. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)Andrew Wildbill, wildlife program manager for the Department of Natural Resources of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, demonstrates how to fillet a salmon for a group of students on June 1, 2026, at the Mission Longhouse. (Yasser Marte/The CUJ)
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