During #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth we are meant to look back at the past contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canada, but today we want to highlight some of the current work Katzie First Nations have done to restore balance to the Pitt River waterways. (P05974)

Urbanization, unsustainable fishing practices and climate change have put many waterways at risk. In 2019, the Katzie First Nation received a grant from the WWF to restore the spawning habitat of Chinook salmon at Upper Pitt River’s Blue Creek, part of their traditional territory

Spawning numbers had been decreasing since the 1960s, but worsened after a recent landslide. The project focused on removing physical barriers and protecting spawning beds, and since then spawning numbers have already gone up, creating a ripple effect though connected ecosystems.

For the Katzie, and many other Coast Salish groups, salmon is more than just a source of food. Salmon are considered sacred and are central to their culture. The attached picture of this thread is of Katzie members BBQ-ing salmon at Rivers Day in 1999. (P05974)

Learn more about the project at https://wwf.ca/news-stories/success-salmon-returned/ #mrmuseum #mapleridge #mapleridgebc #salmon #rivers #environment #wildlife