Overview
Healthy Rivers, Healthy People
Author:
Phil Albers (Karuk) Education Director Save California Salmon
Star Gibbens (Yurok) Youth Coordinator Save California Salmon
River Burkhart (Sisseton Wahpeton/Cherokee/Choctaw)
Save California Salmon (SCS) is dedicated to policy change and community advocacy for Northern California’s salmon and fish dependent people. We support the fisheries and water protection work of the local communities, and advocate effective policy change for clean water, restored fisheries and vibrant communities.
Maggie Peters (Yurok/Karuk), NASMC Learning Specialists Humboldt County Office of Education
Grade(s): 6-8 (middle school)
Suggested Amount of Time: Three 60 minute session
Curriculum Themes
- History
- Cultural Strengths
- Law/Government
- Relationship to Place
Learning Goals
Understand what makes a river system healthy, including clean water, biodiversity, and balanced ecosystems.
Explore how a healthy river system supports the plants, animals, and human communities that rely on it.
Discover how the Klamath River has been integral to the culture, traditions, and survival of Indigenous communities.
Investigate current efforts to restore damaged river systems and how people can advocate for the health of rivers in their communities.
Lesson Overview
This dynamic lesson will inspire students to think deeply about the crucial role rivers play in both the environment and Indigenous cultures. Focusing on the Klamath River and the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, this lesson offers a comprehensive exploration of river ecosystems, highlighting the importance of healthy watersheds for thriving wildlife and communities. Students will learn the science behind river systems and biodiversity but also gain an understanding of how Native peoples have lived in balance with these rivers since time immemorial, passing down traditional ecological knowledge for generations.
This lesson blends interactive learning and real-world connections. Students will dive into the Klamath River’s story, exploring both the challenges it faces and the incredible restoration efforts underway, including the groundbreaking Klamath Dam removal project. They'll have the opportunity to analyze visuals, watch thought-provoking videos, and engage in lively discussions about how tribal communities are working to restore their rivers and protect their way of life.
The lesson is designed to be both informative and empowering, giving students the tools to understand the importance of taking care of the rivers that sustain us all. With an interactive “Protect Your Waterway” activity, students will engage in a hands-on project that connects them to real-world water conservation efforts. By the end, they'll not only appreciate the value of a healthy river system but also be motivated to take action in preserving and protecting water resources.
This lesson provides a powerful opportunity for students to explore the intersection of science, culture, and environmental stewardship, leaving them with a sense of responsibility and a deeper appreciation for the rivers that shape our world.
Teacher Background
Teaching about Indigenous peoples, especially in California, requires empathy, respect, and a deep understanding of history and present realities. Indigenous communities like the Yurok and Karuk Tribes have lived on these lands since time immemorial, maintaining profound connections to rivers, forests, and ecosystems through traditional ecological knowledge. Yet, their histories are marked by traumatic experiences, including genocide, displacement, and cultural erasure.
It is important for teachers and students alike to recognize that while most non-Native Californians today were not directly involved in these injustices, they do live within systems and benefit from legacies rooted in colonialism. Acknowledging this truth is not about assigning guilt, but about opening pathways for learning, healing, and mutual respect.
Teaching Indigenous histories and environmental stewardship through a lens of collaboration helps us move away from narratives of assimilation or erasure. Instead, it positions Tribal peoples as active partners and co-stewards of the land. This approach honors Indigenous sovereignty, respects their expertise in caring for ecosystems, and recognizes their ongoing efforts to restore and protect the environment.
As educators, we have the opportunity to inspire students to see themselves as future change agents—people who understand that protecting the environment means working in partnership with Indigenous communities. By fostering a mindset of collaboration rather than appropriation or erasure, we can support students in becoming allies who value Indigenous knowledge and leadership.
In teaching this way, we help build a foundation for a more just and sustainable future, where the health of the land, the rivers, and the people are understood as interconnected and sacred. This lesson is a step toward that vision, a vision that acknowledges the past, celebrates Indigenous resilience, and invites students to be part of a collaborative future.
Interactive Slides
About the Interactive Slides
A key component of this curriculum includes interactive slides and a lesson script/facilitation support. These materials are designed to support ease of implementation and help guide lesson delivery.
The interactive slides are animated to gradually reveal content and may include links to videos and audio playback buttons for Tribal language integration, songs, or slide facilitation.
In addition to the downloadable lesson and student handouts, this lesson comprised of Three 60 minute session, includes interactive slides and lesson script/ facilitation support.
Slides: Healthy Rivers, Healthy People
Lesson Script/ Facilitation Support
*To ensure full accessibility, we recommend making a copy of the instructional material(s).
Instructions:
To use the slides effectively:
- Project the slides in "Slideshow Mode" to activate animations. Written content will appear with each click.
- Set speaker volume before beginning the lesson to ensure all students can hear audio content.
- Play audio by clicking the audio playback icons one at a time. There may be a brief pause while the audio loads.
- Hovering over an audio playback icon will reveal a playback bar that allows you to play, pause, adjust speed, or fast-forward the audio.
- Note: You do not need to use the playback bar unless you wish to adjust playback. Simply clicking the icon will play the audio.