Indigenous Watersheds Initiative

12/16/2024

MakeWay's 2024 Year in Review is here, highlighting the incredible work of so many partners, including the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative!

This year has shown what incredible things can happen when we commit to meaningful change, shifting power and systems, and more deeply engaging in continued learning and unlearning.

12/16/2024

Back in the spring, the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative team visited the Lheidli T’enneh lands team to witness some of the valuable work they are stewarding. Lheidli T’enneh First Nation is addressing critical ecological and cultural challenges in the Chilako Watershed outside of Prince George.

Decades of habitat degradation have caused severe erosion and significant declines in salmon populations. To address this, the Lheidli T’enneh team is leading ecological restoration work, demonstration projects, and hands-on training for First Nations Fish Technicians to monitor and maintain their Chilako River Headwater Restoration projects.

Restoration efforts, such as organic bank protection and soil bioengineering (as shown in these photos), are stabilizing the land, and improving habitat conditions. While there is still much to do, these photos reflect their commitment to the land and water.

Here are some photos from the site visit in May, along with additional images from the Lheidli T’enneh team. Read more about Lheidli T’enneh’s work at https://www.lheidli.ca/

12/06/2024

Back in May, the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative (IWI) team spent a day on the land with the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) Fisheries team, learning about the work they are doing across their territory. At the time, the TNG team was completing their first full year at their newly established Tŝilhqot’in Conservation Hatchery, preparing to release their first cohort of Chilko fry. The TNG team also shared about their territory-wide aquatic habitat monitoring programs, including hydrometric stations to track water quality and quantity.

Their work has become even more urgent since the July Tŝilhqox landslide, which caused sediment and debris to severely impact Jaŝ (Chinook) and Ts’eman (sockeye) populations, which were already facing record-low returns.

As stated in a primer about the Tŝilhqox Landslide and the Emergency Salmon Task Force (November 2024), “The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is in the best position to lead a collaborative approach to salmon governance. Deep place-based knowledge, technical sophistication, and a values-based approach to fisheries flowing from Tŝilhqot’in law and jurisdiction allowed the Nation to quickly mobilize technical experts and government partners to prioritize the survival and recovery of the salmon.”

To learn more about TNG’s efforts and responses to the landslide, check out their Weekly Fisheries Bulletins and updates on their website (https://tsilhqotin.ca/our-territory/fisheries/communications/)

11/05/2024

We’re excited to share our second community story from our day spent on Kitsumkalum Laxgibuu (Wolf) Clan homelands, where the IWI team joined the Kitsumkalum Fish & Wildlife Team for a day of tree planting at Kiyawmks Spring and Willow Creeks.

Kitsumkalum has been planting 30,000 trees along these creeks. Their ‘Salmon Habitat Restoration Project’ not only restores vital ecosystems but also strengthens community ties by inviting local youth, schools, and neighbours into this meaningful work.

We are grateful to Mandi, Tammy, and the rest of the Kitsumkalum team for inviting us to witness their important work firsthand! Read more about Kitsumkalum’s restoration efforts on the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative blog [link in bio].

09/10/2024

With September’s arrival and autumn just around the corner, we’re feeling the shift from summer’s warmth to the crisp, fading light of fall. With the changing of seasons, we are brought right back to our visit last fall to Xwaaqw’um with the Stqeeye’ Learning Society. With that, we are excited to share our first community story!

In recent years, Xwaaqw’um (Burgoyne Bay on Salt Spring Island) has returned to being home for a diverse array of ecological restoration and land-based learning initiatives, under the guidance of Stqeeye’. This Indigenous-led society is centred on self-determination and relationship building through ecological restoration and land-based education programs. What began as standalone projects has been woven into a rich tapestry, braiding wetland revitalization, food sovereignty, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and a deep commitment to the past and future.

We are grateful to the Stqeeye’ team bringing us out onto the land to witness the good work they are stewarding!

Read more about Stqeeye’s work on the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative blog [link in bio].

06/21/2024

🌞 Today, on during , we reflect on and recognize the histories, resiliency, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Turtle Island. This day, coinciding with the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, reminds us to celebrate and commemorate the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples — today and every day.

With a spirit of curiosity, humility, and respect, today offers an opportunity to deepen our relationship with the land we live on and the peoples who have cared for it since time out of mind. It's a moment to reflect on Indigenous histories and present-day realities, including their enduring connections to the land, waters, stories, and ancestral knowledges that are enacted and embodied daily.

Over the past few months, the IWI team has had the privilege of witnessing firsthand some of the impactful work being done on the ground by our partners through our Regional Watershed Gatherings and site visits. We've been inspired by their holistic efforts focused on restoration, resistance, reciprocity, resurgence, and radical kinship. As we look forward to sharing more about this in the coming weeks, today we are taking the time to do our own learnings and participate in celebrations within our communities.

Pictured here: Elena Sterritt (Gitxsan) places her hands into Kleanza Creek during our cultural tour with Kitselas, as part of our Regional Watershed Gathering on Ts'msyen homelands.

05/27/2024

The Watershed Security Fund has launched its first phase of support for watershed projects and initiatives to help communities respond to urgent and long-term watershed needs. The Fund’s first grants program application intake opens June 3, 2024 until June 26, 2024. A larger intake and funding stream is planned to open in late 2024/early 2025.

Funding will meet water stewards and water champions where they are at, building partnerships and collaboration amongst First Nations, local governments, NGOs, community groups, and scientific communities.

The and the First Nations Water Caucus - with the – are excited to announce this important early step in flowing critical resources to communities.

Learn more at www.watershedsecurityfund.ca

04/22/2024

This , we want to shine a light on watersheds and the Indigenous leaders who have cared for these ecosystems since time immemorial. In an increasingly digital world, it’s easy to lose touch with our connection to nature and to one another. Last month, at our first Regional Watershed Gathering, we created community and connection through sharing stories, successes, and challenges. beautifully captured the essence of the gathering in this graphic facilitation drawing — a good reminder of our interconnectedness and the importance of coming together. 🌍

03/25/2024

We are thrilled to share the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative’s Interim Report! Released just last month, IWI's Interim Impact Report aims to uphold accountability and transparency while disseminating valuable insights from the program. This report offers a glimpse into our approach to grantmaking...

03/22/2024

On the heels of the spring equinox, we honour World Water Day!💧🌍 This day offers us an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with water and to take notice of the vital water work unfolding all around us.

We'd like to take a moment to shine light on the dedicated efforts of IWI partners working across watersheds. Much like water, this work touches various aspects of human and environmental health, benefiting both communities and ecosystems alike. We invite you to learn more about Indigenous-led watershed efforts underway on our website's project page.

📸 Nenikëkh on Wet'suwet'en homelands by our talented friend