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].