Of Salmon and Basketball: A Conversation with Buck Jones
From Sense of Place:
By Cole Goodwin
Hood River, Ore. February 12, 2025 – Mt. Adams Institute’s Sense of Place series is proud to present "Of Salmon and Basketball: A Conversation with Buck Jones" on Wednesday, February 12, featuring an evening spent in conversation with Buck Jones, an enrolled Cayuse member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), a Columbia River Treaty Fisherman, and Salmon Marketing Specialist at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC).
The event will take place at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the program runs from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees can also join virtually via livestream.
Event Description:
In the 1970s a young boy in Pendleton was discovering his first love – of sorts. Buck Jones picked up a basketball early in life and quickly took to the sport. He was soon traveling to nearby reservations to compete against other tribal teams. Local led to national, and by highschool, Buck was representing the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) in tournaments across the country. He went on to receive national recognition, winning the All-Indian Nationals 4 times, and was selected for the National Indian Athletic Association Hall-of-Fame. But eventually, Buck came to the Columbia; to the Gorge. He learned, again, how to fish. During the pandemic, he discovered how life can come from death. And he realized that his own existence could, and would be, about much more than just basketball. In a story punctuated by salmon and guided by community, Buck offers a rare, firsthand look at how a person can turn to a place and its people in times of need and then quietly commit to returning the favor. Join Buck Jones, in conversation with Sarah Fox.
Event Details:
Of Salmon and Basketball: A Conversation with Buck Jones
When: Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Doors at 6:00 p.m., show from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. PST.
(If the event is sold out, unclaimed seats will be released to the waitlist at 6:45 p.m.)
Where: Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Ave., Hood River, OR 97031
A livestream option is also available.
Get Tickets: https://givebutter.com/buckjones-of-salmon-and-basketball
Advanced ticket purchase is encouraged as events often sell out.
About the Speaker:
Buck Jones is an enrolled Cayuse member of one of the bands of the Confederated Tribes of The Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). He is a multi-decade Columbia River Treaty Fisherman. Buck, who has been employed since 2004 for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), started as a Fisheries Technician and now serves as Salmon Marketing Specialist. He works on product development, classes on Cold Water and Boat Safety, and provides quality-handling classes for approximately 700 tribal fishers. Buck is Co-Chair of the Food Sovereignty subcommittee for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and a board member of Gorge Grown Food Network, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance, and One Community Health. Buck also serves on the Executive Committee of the Local Catch Network. Additionally, Buck is a nationally honored basketball player. From his youth into his 50s, Buck played in All-Indian Basketball Tournaments across the country. He was honored by the National Indian Athletic Association Hall of Fame, Hoopa All-Indian Tournament Hall of Fame, and Hall of Fame in the Pendleton Linebackers Club; winning many tournaments throughout Indian Country, including the All-Indian Nationals 4 times.
About Sense of Place:
Sense of Place is a program of Mt. Adams Institute, a Gorge-based nonprofit that strengthens the connection between people and the natural world through education, service, career development, and research. For more information on the series and Season 15, visit senseofplacegorge.org or follow us on Instagram @senseofplacegorge.
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