Published In
Oregon Historical Quarterly
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2003
Subjects
Pacific salmon -- Pacific Northwest -- History, Place (Philosophy) -- History, Nature conservation -- Oregon
Abstract
Discusses the importance of salmon in defining environmental understanding in the Pacific Northwest. Dam construction, population influx, economic development, and politics have dramatically changed the geography of Oregon Country since 1850. The technological alterations and population growth redefined the sense of place. However, salmon has remained the most important icon of the Pacific Northwest, both for Native Americans and for nonnatives have who worked to save the salmon from extinction. Salmon have become a "living metaphor" for the region, and their fate reflects an understanding of historical context and the role of people in their relationship to the environment in this particular region.
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/8748
Citation Details
Lang, W. L. (2003). Beavers, firs, salmon, and falling water: Pacific Northwest regionalism and the environment. Oregon Historical Quarterly, 104(2), 150-165.
Description
This is the publisher's final PDF. Copyright 2003, Oregon Historical Society. Reproduced by permission.