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 the trailer to the feature documentary we are making about the Paddle Tribal Waters (Please don’t share publically)

TO MEET THIS HISTORIC MOMENT,
YOUR SUPPORT WILL:

  • 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.

  • Engage community members to celebrate alongside the youth throughout the river’s 310+ mile journey, featuring community floats and traditional cultural events.

  • Raise awareness of the harmful effects of large hydropower dams on climate change and motivate efforts to protect other endangered rivers worldwide.

  • Inspire action for free-flowing rivers through a feature-length film documenting the youth's journey.

  • Foster more young leaders by developing local Indigenous paddling clubs, led by Paddle Tribal Waters alumni, to strengthen connections and amplify their voices in public forums.

DONATION TIERS

  • $100: Support students and families in attending programs

  • $1,000: Support a PTW student to participate in one of our programs

  • $5,000: Support a PTW student to participate in the 32-day 310-mile First Descent of the Klamath

  • $10,000: Help sponsor a program or event, including logistical and educational expenses

  • $15,000: Sponsor three Indigenous paddlers from other endangered river basins to attend the events and educational forums of the First Descent

  • $25,000: Send one student through an entire semester at the Paddle Tribal Waters Academy

  • $50,000: Be a title sponsor for the final celebration, educational forum, and media events that will conclude the historic First Descent

  • $100,000: Be an executive producer for the feature-length documentary film being created for wide distribution and impact campaign after completion of the First Descent

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 will repeat this program 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