UpStream

The remoteness of many of its tributaries and the absence of dams has kept the relative pristine ecosystems of the Skeena and Nass Watersheds positioned well for salmon to have a fighting chance in the decades and centuries ahead. As some systems become less productive, due to climate change and impacts to habitat, there is mounting evidence to suggest that some systems within the Skeena and Nass Watersheds could become more productive, offering safe haven to many populations of wild Salmon and Steelhead. The Gitanyow, whose territory encompasses large sections of the Nass and Kitwanga rivers, as well as significant potion of the Upper Kispiox River, a tributary of the Skeena, have been working for more than two decades to ensure the survival of their precious sockeye. The fisheries programs, they run are critical to understanding how salmon might adapt to a rapidly changing climate and how we can provide the best possible habitat for salmon to flourish in the future. Mark Cleveland and Tara Marsden are just two of the people working with the Gitanyow to ensure salmon have a future in the Nass and Skeena Watersheds.

The Babine River is one of the most iconic rivers in Northwest BC. It isn't a particularly long river, at just over 97 km in length, but it contains the stories of legends. It cannot be over stated how important the Babine system is to the overall health of the Skeena Watershed and especially Skeena sockeye. As mentioned, more than 90 percent of Skeena sockeye begin their life in Babine Lake, one of the largest populations of sockeye throughout the Skeena Watershed. But despite its prominence and mystic as a major salmon barring river, the Babine is under constant pressures from climate change, logging and derelict mines. Perhaps that's why people like Donna Macintyre, a member of Lake Babine Nation and the head of the LBN Fisheries Program, and Billy Labonte, co-owner and guide of the Babine Norlakes Steelhead Lodge are dedicated to ensuring the survival and protection of one of the most celebrated salmon rivers in the Skeena Watershed.

Science and research is one of the pillars of the work SkeenaWild has embarked on over the last 15 years. Now more than ever we need good, solid, quantifiable data that will help us better understand what is happening to our plant, the environments in which we live and how a changing climate, impacts to habitat, and human interactions are affecting Skeena Salmon. One of those amazing people is Allison Oliver, she's an aquatic ecologist with the Skeena Fisheries Commission. She's worked extensively throughout the Skeena Watershed over the last several years and knows just how critical natural spaces and salmon are for everyone in this part of the world.

Salmon are the life blood of the Skeena, these incredible fined, elite athletes of the ocean, swim thousands of kilometres just to return to whence them came, spawn and die, supporting thousands of people and communities along the way. The Skeena is Canada's second largest salmon producing system. And one of the worlds last. Although Climate Change, habitat degradation and over fishing have greatly impacted Skeena salmon over the last century, it is still an intact and healthy watershed. For several millennia, salmon supported Indigenous groups and Nations all along the North pacific coast, salmon are the cornerstone of their communities and stories, and supported diets and ancient economies. When the first Europeans arrived they were struck by the abundance of salmon and its importance. It has sustained life here for many generations. Today we'll hear from Algax'm Hax of the Gitwilgyoots Tribe and Chief Na'Moks of the Wet'suwet'en, they both have deep knowledge, history and connection to the Skeena and salmon. They also know how to tell a good story….

Julia Hill Sorochan is the Operations Manager at SkeenaWild, hear about her entrance into the world of salmon conservation from an early age, how working with SkeenaWild is her dream job, and how she's working with many partners to ensure a future for wild salmon in the Skeena. Kirby Muldoe is the Indigenous Engagement Specialist with SkeenaWild. He grew up in the Kispiox and is part of both the Gitxsan and Tsimshian Nations. His work is all about relationship building and standing up for what he believes in. Hear about how he's bringing people together to find common values and goals that help sustain wild salmon from all across Salmon Nation.

Greg Knox is the Executive Director for SkeenaWild. Over the past 14 years he has dedicated himself to the preservation of Skeena salmon and protecting the critical habitat they need not only to survive, but thrive. Although there is growing concern about the continual pressures mounting against wild salmon, like climate change, habitat loss and depleting stocks, he continues to show up everyday to ensure wild salmon have a future in the Skeena by advocating for better resource management, long-term habitat protections and building stronger community collaborations that result in a sustainable future for wild Skeena salmon.

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