As 2022 winds down, we’re reflecting on our successful year expanding collaboration to return salmon to the upper Columbia River. This is the third year of our Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative, the Indigenous-led work of the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Nations, with Canada and British Columbia.
Our Technical Working Group has three studies underway in the field, our Indigenous Knowledge Counsel is exploring opportunities for merging Indigenous culture and worldviews with western science, and our team of Outreach and Engagement Organizers are building important relationships within and across their respective Nations.
We know that bringing the salmon home will take generations of commitment. We’re looking to the future with optimism.
Join us in celebrating some of the highlights of our work in 2022.
Our annual Bringing the Salmon Home Festival was a success!
In early May 2022, we hosted the second annual online Bringing the Salmon Home Festival. Over the course of two days, we heard from over 50 speakers and hosts, and welcomed over 1,000 registered audience members. Replays of these great presentations are available to watch on demand, and you can see all of them here. Enjoy!
Be sure to Save the Date for next year’s online Bringing the Salmon Home Festival: May 2-3, 2023.
We hosted the first Youth Salmon Warriors Gathering
In August 2022, we gathered with 21 young people at the headwaters of the Columbia River for our first tri-Nation Youth Salmon Warriors Gathering. This inaugural event was an inspiring, immersive experience for everyone involved.
These passionate young people participated in ceremonies, together with creative workshops on the land and water, including learning how to can salmon.
The Youth Salmon Warriors Statement emerged out of this gathering.
Young adults ages 19-30 from the three Indigenous Nations are invited to apply now to participate in the next Salmon Warriors Gathering, happening June 22-28, 2023. For more info, email: comms@columbiariversalmon.ca.
We reached new audiences through diverse webinars
Most recently, a free online webinar hosted by Y2Y featured some of our Indigenous Knowledge Counsel members and several Youth Salmon Warriors. These vibrant guest speakers shared what bringing the salmon home means to them, and how our Initiative is working to make it happen.
You can watch the replay of this 1.5 hour webinar here, any time.
Work like this can only happen thanks to the support of salmon champions like you. Just like the salmon, our strength is in numbers. One of the simplest ways you can help to bring the salmon home is to share our work. Please share this year-end newsletter across your networks.
And, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Wishing you and yours a warm and festive holiday season.
lim̓ləm̓t / Kukstemc / Hu sukiⱡquknaⱡaʔni / Thank you!
~Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Team
