About Peter Marbach
Thirteen years ago Peter Marbach embarked on a self-assignment to tell the story of the Columbia River Treaty between the U.S and Canada, and its impact on first nations, tribes, and salmon along the entire 1,250 Columbia River. The original treaty in 1964 excluded participation and input from indigenous communities. The end result of this labor of love was the independently produced photo essay book, Healing The Big River – Salmon Dreams and the Columbia River Treaty. Peter invited leaders from first nations, tribes, and salmon restoration advocates to contribute powerful guest essays about their connection to the river, their hopes for a modernized treaty (now being re-negotiated), and their hopes to see one of the greatest salmon runs that ever existed on the planet restored, from the ocean to the headwaters near Canal Flats BC. The Grand Coulee Dam in eastern WA State has blocked the salmon returning home to the headwaters.
Peter Marbach has been a professional photographer for 25 years, published 6 photo essay books, and had previous assignment work with numerous conservation groups, U.S Forest Service, and outdoor travel editorial work. In October 2014, Peter was featured in an episode of Oregon Field Guide. His current professional focus is as a visual storyteller using his photography to address important environmental and indigenous justice issues.
Oregon War Heroes with Dick Tobiason
About Dick Tobiason
During his 20 years with the Army, Dick Tobiason completed 2 tours in Vietnam, has been awarded numerous commendations, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. One of his proudest assignments was helping repatriate 27 American POW’s in South Vietnam during “Operation Homecoming” in 1973. He has lived in Bend 30 years after retiring from 33 years employment with the U.S. Army, NASA and the airline industry. Dick was the first and only Army Aviator to be nominated as an Astronaut in the Apollo-Moon program.
Dick has served as Chairman of the Bend Heroes Foundation since its founding in 2010. Over the past 16 years, he has initiated over 30 projects, including the Oregon Medal of Honor Highway and Honor Flights of Eastern and Portland Oregon. Dick and his wife of 60 years raised two sons and are grandparents of 7. Dick is proud of his late parents who immigrated from Sweden and Finland who lived the American dream and raised 5 sons who served in the Armed Forces.