first salmon ceremony

The first salmon ceremony is a significant religious observance among some Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. This ceremony honors the first salmon caught each season, which are considered supernatural beings that voluntarily sacrifice themselves for humankind.1

The rite involves sprinkling the salmon with sacred substances, welcoming it with a speech, and then distributing its flesh communally. This ritual is believed to ensure the salmon's return to the spirit world, where they can be reincarnated and return in future seasons. If the salmon are offended, they may refuse to return to the rivers. The ceremony's details vary, but it is a central practice for many groups, reflecting a deep respect for the salmon and the natural world.12