A traditional gathering for the Cowlitz People along the Cowlitz River in Washington State. The small fish, a Smelt, is starting to come back into the Cowlitz River decades after the eruption of Mt St Helens. That series of eruptions dumped ash into the Toutle and Cowlitz Rivers destroying all of the spawning beds for the fish. Prior to European contact, the Smelt helped nourished the Cowlitz People during the harsh winter months in-between Salmon runs. Now the Cowlitz People, through these Tribal events, are beginning to find their way back!