As our latest Annual Report describes — a powerful shared vision is becoming reality: adult salmon are once again swimming in the upper Columbia River in Canada. Last summer, our technical team translocated 57 adult sockeye from the Okanagan and released them into the Arrow Lakes Reservoir. In November, we witnessed history, spotting a tagged adult female sockeye in a creek north of Castlegar: the first adult salmon recorded returning into an Arrow Lakes spawning tributary in over 85 years.
This moment is the result of generations of leadership and unwavering commitment by the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Nations. The current process for this collective work, now going into our seventh year, is the Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative. Our Indigenous-led collaboration with Canada and British Columbia continues to build on cultural teachings and innovative science to restore salmon to the upper Columbia River.
Over the past year, our cultural gatherings brought together Elders, youth, and community members to honour salmon through ceremony, storytelling, and connection. The second Tri-Nation Cultural Gathering, hosted by the Secwépemc Nation, strengthened the bonds between Nations and deepened our collective vision. Our Salmon Warriors Gathering placed young adults to work in the river and hatchery to assist with the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s broodstock collection — helping prepare the next generation of both salmon and stewards for the journey ahead.
Our Transboundary Tour events reached thousands of people through community events and film screenings all along the Columbia River.
Our working groups continue to shape the Indigenous-led governance vision that supports a sustainable future for salmon in the upper Columbia. This includes working to develop a Transition Agreement with partner governments to ensure long-term funding for this generational work.
These achievements reflect the powerful One Watershed approach — restoring salmon and the relationships and responsibilities through an Indigenous-led process for the benefit of all.
We invite you to dive into the full report and celebrate with us. Because the salmon are leading us home.
Thank you,
The Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative Team
Explore the 2024-25 Annual Report here
Watch the short Celebrating Salmon Warriors video here
