This is a very special episode of Unpacked by Afar. Because this week we hosted Unpacked Live, a—you guessed it—live version of the podcast in partnership with Visit California in Boston, Massachusetts. (You can watch the full conversation on YouTube.)
In 2022, Visit California launched Visit Native California, and the goal with the Boston live event was to celebrate California's diverse tribal communities. Unpacked host Aislyn Greene was joined onstage by John Acuna, a member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe in Humboldt County, California, and a river guide with Rios to Rivers and Paddle Tribal Waters.
In July, 2025, shortly after the Klamath River was undammed—the largest dam removal project in U.S. history—John helped guide a historic 30-day expedition down the Klamath River, known as the First Descent.
On stage, John shared the Klamath River's history and what it was like to spend 30 days kayaking a river that has been so essential to the West Coast Native communities and was for so long diverted and quite literally drained of life.
In this episode, we go deeper. John shares his early life, how he found his way back to the water, and the lessons he's learned after spending so many years on the river. He also explains how cultural stewardship, land‑back efforts, and Indigenous fire and river knowledge are reshaping landscapes and communities across Northern California.
In this episode, you’ll learn
How John’s childhood and early work as a firefighter led him to river guiding and youth programs.
Why the Klamath and Trinity rivers matter to Indigenous food security, culture, and health.
What the Klamath dam removals changed — and how quickly salmon and waterways began to recover.
How Paddle Tribal Waters and Rios to Rivers use recreation, mentorship, and cultural practice to rebuild connections for Indigenous youth.
Practical ways travelers and listeners can support tribal‑led stewardship and community‑based guiding.
Don’t miss these moments
[02:00] — John introduces his community kayak fleet (15 boats)
[18:00] — John’s first rafting expedition and the job offer that changed his life
[55:30] — Sendoff ceremony at the Wood River headwaters (prayer roots, blessings)
[59:30] — Open-lake challenge: wind, waves, and seasickness on early days
[01:03:00] — Ikes Falls: a sacred portage and a transformative whitewater run
[01:13:30] — Salmon spotted upstream; surprisingly fast ecological rebound
[01:20:30] — Cultural burning and prescribed fire: returning Indigenous stewardship to the landscape
[01:23:00] — “Tread water” tattoo story — resilience and metaphor
Meet this episode’s guest
John Acuna — Hoopa River guide, former firefighter, Paddle Tribal Waters leader, instructor with Rios to Rivers
Resources mentioned in the episode
Rios to Rivers
Paddle Tribal Waters (project of Rios to Rivers)
Warrior Institute
Redwoods & Rivers guide school
Hoopa Valley Tribe
Yurok Tribe
How to support
Donate to Rios to Rivers or similar Indigenous-led river programs.
Book community-based guides and ethical local tour services when visiting tribal territories, such as the Beaver Creek Guide Service, which offers fishing charters along with education.
Explore our coverage (like this story) on afar.com.
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