I recently spoke with seventeen-year-old Keeya Wiki about the first descent of the Klamath River, a 263-mile river in Oregon and California. Keeya, who is Yurok and Māori, was one of thirty youth who kayaked the river for the first time in one hundred years. She reminded me of what it feels like when you protect something sacred. In 2024, four dams came down on the Klamath River, the largest dam removal in U.S. history, and the river was free. The youth trained for the descent on white waters throughout the region, and even in Chile, to make sure they were safe. Then this summer they joined the river and traveled for a month of freedom, joy, and renewal.

Other Klamath River news:

• The Seattle Times: Opinion: Snake River dams: Hope in Klamath River’s return
• Redheaded Blackbelt (Phillipsville, Calif.): Over $500K for Klamath River recreation site