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Adam Neil is a Senior Environmental Scientist and Environmental Professional with specializations in Environmental Management, Environmental Sustainability, and Fish and Wildlife. He has nearly 20 years of multidisciplinary experience, with a focus on aquatic ecology and fisheries management. Adam was raised in and has worked extensively throughout the Upper Columbia River Basin. He is a skilled problem solver who applies practical, innovate approaches to the many challenges we face in an ever-evolving environment.  He has extensive experience successfully advancing strategic initiatives across a wide range of environmental disciplines and takes pride in positive contributions to environmental policy, protection, and conservation. Adam is a member of both the Technical Working Group and the Implementation Team of Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia Salmon Reintroduction Initiative, for the Secwépemc Nation.

Aiyana is Ktunaxa on her mother’s side, and Blackfoot, registered Blood tribe, on her father’s side. She grew up on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Ktunaxa in ʔakink̓umⱡasnuqⱡiʔit (Tobacco Plains), where she had the opportunity to learn Ktunaxa, and cultural practices from her grandmother, and elders within her community. Aiyana is a proud Ktunaxa youth, and supports her community with language revitalization through unconventional capacities!

Respected elder Alfred Joseph freely shares his story, and along the journey you get a sneak peek into the daily life of ʔakxam̓is q̓api qapsin, All Living Things. Attending the St. Eugene’s Residential School from Grade 1 to Grade 7 did not define who Alfred is. The time he’s spent in and around ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa while raising cattle, horses, hunting, fishing and guiding is what has defined the self-proclaimed preserver of the Ktunaxa language. As a self-taught Knowledge Holder, Alfred generously shares the knowledge that he has painstakingly learned while pursuing his passion for being in the outdoors and in the mountains. As the former chief of ʔakisq̓nuk, Alfred explains that the reason he is self-taught is because he has had to fill the loss of the natural transfer of knowledge resulting from his time at the St. Eugene Mission. Alfred honours traditional Ktunaxa ways by researching how western science… Read more

Amber Cardenas is a member of the sqilx/syilx/Okanagan Nation and grew up throughout the territory with family roots from snpinktn and the similkameen. They are a language learner of nqilxcn and has been singing since a young age. They hope to live by the words and guidance of their late grandmother and other elders of the Nation that have shared teachings of what it is to be sqilxw.

Storyteller and artist Anona Kampe is the granddaughter of the late Rachel and Basil Paul from the Penticton Indian Band, a member community of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. Anona shares Okanagan culture and history through stories. “I come from an oral society. Traditionally we did not have a written language. We learned everything through our stories, which are called captikʷł.”  Anona is also skilled in beading, basketry and regalia making. She enjoys singing, is a drum carrier for her Nation, and is also a jingle dress dancer.

I’m Autumn Christopher and I was born in Kamloops. From kindergarten drawing knights and dragons, to high school painting scenic landscapes, I’ve always been interested in the arts. After graduating from Thompson Rivers University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts I’m currently doing mural, digital, and canvas paintings for a living and plan on continuing doing so. Right now I just finished a book about the story of a coyote for my uncle and I’m going to be doing a mural for the Canadian Mental Health Association soon.

Bill Green is a semi-retired biologist who was the founding Director of the Canadian Columbia River Inter-tribal Fisheries Commission (CCRIFC) for more than 20 years (to 2017). He has worked passionately for upper Columbia salmon restoration, and protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems for 28 years. He remains dedicated to stewardship and enjoyment of our mountains, lakes and streams. Bill is the former chair of the Implementation Team for Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative.

Syilx Okanagan Outreach & Engagement Organizer  I am a syilx woman from the Penticton Indian Band. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a professional photographer and founded my business seven years ago. I also unschool my three children and operate a hobby farm near Ashcroft, BC. I studied Liberal Arts at Thompson River University, have been published in the Globe and Mail and am currently training my first horse. My professional niche as a photographer is heart-centred, trauma-informed, on-the-land portraiture. In my new role with the Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative, I focus on listening and co-creating the collective narrative with the people of our lands to help bring the salmon home.

Braydi works as a Biologist for the Shuswap Band with a focus on aquatics and Columbia River projects. Prior to working for Shuswap Band, Braydi’s professional background included working for environmental consulting companies, not-for-profit organizations, and both provincial and federal government agencies. Braydi is a local to Invermere and her knowledge and experience through work, volunteer, and personal exploration in the Kootenays for more than 20 years provides an asset and passion to her work with the Columbia River. Braydi also contributes as a member to the Bringing the Salmon Home Technical Working Group.

Brian Rockvam is a Secwépemc writer and poet. A member of the St’uxwtews community (Bonaparte Band), Brian grew up in Tk’emlups te Secwépemc territory where he completed his undergrad in English and Psychology at Thompson Rivers University. He has written a number of short stories and poems including ‘Seaside Summer’, a poetic children’s book reflecting on his childhood memories at his family’s cabin on the Sunshine Coast. Brian currently resides on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples in Vancouver, working in the film industry.

I am Brian Paul Saluskin, born and raised in Toppenish Washington on the Yakama Reservation. My Ceremony Given Indian name is Sawyalilx. It’s my Atwi Grandmother Hoptenix Sawyalilx Saluskin namesake of the Klickitat people. I’m an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation. My Grandfather Atwi Alexander Saluskin and Atwi father Rudolph V. Saluskin as myself are part of the history of the Yakama Nation as Tribal Fishermen. I belong to the Yakama, Wenatshapam and Klickitat of the 14 Bands that make up the Yakama Confederation. I fished with my father growing up in the Yakima Valley, on the Yakama and Columbia Rivers. This was my family’s livelihood, spiritually and financially. Since I was raised on our waters, in our homes, amongst our people it was an easy choice to pursue a career in fisheries.  I worked for the Yakama Nation Fisheries as a Fish Tech I, II & III from… Read more

Bruce Jim is of the Dock-Spus (Tukspush) people and is an elder of the Warm Springs Tribe. As a member of the Fish and Wildlife Committee of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and a board member of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, he is actively involved in restoration and stewardship of wildlife habitat on the Warm Springs Reservation, on Warm Springs ceded lands and elsewhere in the John Day River basin and the high desert of the Columbia River region.

Candace Batycki has been a conservation advocate for more than 30 years, specializing in protecting ecosystems for threatened and endangered wildlife, and caribou in particular. She serves at the BC and Yukon Program Director for the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), where she leads a team focused on supporting Indigenous-led conservation in BC’s Columbia and Rocky Mountains.

caylx (Richard Armstrong) is a Syilx traditional knowledge/language specialist and Syilx Traditional Ecological Knowledge Keeper. He is from the Penticton Indian Band and is a member of the syilx Nation of the Okanagan Valley. Immersed in the Syilx Language and Culture as a child, he aims to assist those who need his help – as his teachers and teachings have helped him. Therefore, he shares who he is and what he has learned with the Okanagan Nation, its community and welcomed guests. He is a teacher of Nsyilxcen Language and Culture at both the En’owkin Centre and University of British Columbia – Okanagan.

Leon Louis cewel’na is a member of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Syilx Nation. Leon has committed his life’s work to uphold the love and respect of our traditions and worldviews of Indian people. These worldviews are the relationship between the Creator and the land and environment. He has knowledge of Syilx Okanagan Culture and practices the harvesting of Syilx Traditional foods and medicines.  Leon is a Cultural Knowledge person who is invited to organize many different ceremonies throughout the Territories. With the Syilx Nation, he is an active member of the Okanagan Nation Critical Incident Response Team, Syilx Unity Youth Run, Indian Residential School Committee, Natural Resource and Fisheries Cultural support person and dedicated member and participant in the Annual Syilx Unity Canoe Trek. Leon travels and supports other Tribal initiatives and Ceremonies such as the Tribal Journey Canoe events where Indigenous Tribes throughout the world come and join in celebrating their cultures and… Read more

Chad Fuller is the Fisheries program manager for the Okanagan Nation Alliance. He has been working with the ONA for over 8 years and has previously helped implement the laboratory at the kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Hatchery. He is privileged to be part of Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative and looks forward to learning from the salmon as they find their way home.

Of Syilx Okanagan and Secwépemc ancestry, Chantelle Eustache is a chef by trade and a lifelong learner. Her many accomplishments include being a member of the gold-winning team at the Canadian Culinary Championships’ Gold Medal Plates.  Chantelle says: “In the kitchen I just go by Telle. Preparing traditional ingredients with modern flair creates a unique dining experience to showcase my passion for food and culture. I believe that everyone should have a signature dish.” Follow along with Chantelle to make a fabulous springtime dinner featuring Crusted Wild Salmon Fillet, Lemon & Herb Roasted Potatoes, and Asparagus & Red Onion Salad. See the three recipes with all ingredients and instructions below: Crusted Wild Salmon Fillet 2lb                   Wild Salmon fillet Marinate 2 Tbsp.            Butter 2 Tbsp.            Brown Sugar 1 Tbsp.            Dijon Mustard ½ Tsp.             Paprika ½ Tsp.             Garlic Powder ¼ Tsp.             Cayenne Pepper ½ Tsp.             Salt… Read more

Chief Atahm School is a Secwépemc immersion school on the Adams Lake Reserve in British Columbia. Chief Atahm School seeks to continually improve their program with the development of an educational framework that privileges Secwepemc knowledge, language, and culture. Every year the students visit the sockeye salmon run, learn about the salmon cycle, and participate in cutting and smoking fish.  For this Bringing the Salmon Home Festival, the Chief Atahm School students in Grade 1-4 have filmed a special performance to honour our salmon and showcase our salmon cultural activities the school participates in throughout the year! 

Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief Keith Crow kalʔlùpaɋʹn sits as a member of the Chiefs Executive Council of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. The CEC’s mandate is to advance, assert, support and preserve Syilx Okanagan Nation sovereignty. Chief Crow is an Executive Working Group member of Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative.

Chris Luke Sr. is an Elder, former elected Chief, a historian and author from the Yaqan Nukiy community of the Ktunaxa Nation near Creston BC.  His most recent book The Yaqan Nukiy, Their History, Culture and Traditions is packed with information including on kinships, ceremony, traditional games, the Ktunaxa Canoe, dancing, and powwows.  He has much to say in the way of peaceful times with neighboring tribes, including on intertribal marriage which he wrote about in his first publication Drags Grizzly.

Csetkwe (Pronounced: chuh-set-quah) (Meaning: Lights Reflection on Water)Csetkwe is a multi-gifted artist with her roots in the Syilx (Okanagan) and Secwepmec (Shuswap) Nations. Holding the responsibility and respect of being stamia (two spirit), a sqwuy (mother to sons) and a Traditional Knowledge Keeper, she mainly represents in Live Arts and Visual Arts. She is a graduate of the En’owkin Centre of Indigenous Art, receiving a National Aboriginal Professional Artists’ Training certificate and Nsyilxcn Language Program certificate. She honed her love for performance art during her time in the Full Circle Ensemble Program in Vancouver, BC. Csetkwe’s performances include those of a Singer/ Song Carrier, Spoken Word Poet as part of the k̓ wem k̓ wem słénsłénəy – Indigenous Female Drum Collective and as the former front woman in multimedia performance collective Skookum Sound System. As a visual artist, Csetkwe is grateful to contribute to the Kama Collective and Ullus Collective…. Read more

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