Late evening, on day one of the Pacific Marine Expo, attendees gathered at the main stage for a screening of the film “School of Fish.” Directed by Colin Arisman and Oliver Sutro, the film offers an intimate look into the Samuelsen family’s salmon harvesting traditions and their deep ties to Bristol Bay, Alaska. 

The film begins with Robin Samuelsen, Curyung Tribal Council Chief, explaining his family’s sustainable salmon harvest methods. Samuelsen describes the cultural and enduring significance of these practices. “When I’m dead and gone, they’ll be here. I know. Putting up fish in the smokehouse and catching salmon,” he states.

Robyn Chaney, Samuelsen’s daughter, narrates over video of her family processing salmon. She reflects on generational knowledge, “However hard you want to work and however much you want to learn, is how much people invest in you.”

Chaney highlights her son, Triston, as a vital culture bearer, emphasizing their family's perspective on wealth. “Wealth for my family is measured by not how much money we have in the bank, it’s how much food we have in our freezers and how much we give away.”

The film addresses environmental concerns, with Triston Chaney discussing the potential threats posed by the Pebble Mine project. As both a commercial fisherman and a fly-fishing guide, Triston highlights the importance of preserving Bristol Bay’s ecosystem, which supports a $1.6 billion commercial and recreational fishing economy in Alaska. Chaney notes the Bristol Bay ecosystem has been central to the lives of Alaskan Native communities for thousands of years, supporting 14,000 jobs. 

“School of Fish” ultimately offers a look into a future where sustainable practices and protections ensure the continuation of Bristol Bay’s vital salmon run for generations to come. 

The work was presented by The Orvis Company with support from Trout Unlimited, and can be viewed in the link below.