Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
The Shuswap Band, Ktunaxa Nation and Akisqnuk First Nation will be calling back the salmon at a special ceremony in James Chabot Provincial Park on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The Salmon Festival on Lake Windermere will start with a canoe brigade that leaves Kinsmen Beach at approximately 9:30 a.m. and arrives on the shores of James Chabot Park at around 10 a.m.
“This year we celebrate the salmon of the Columbia River and honour the cultural significance of this sacred species to our community,” said Salmon Chief and band councillor Mark Thomas.
The annual event is a celebration of cultural heritage that brings together band membership and neighbouring communities for a water ceremony and different activities to call back the resilient salmon.
This year marks nearly 20 years of the festival. In May 2022, Shuswap Band embarked on a momentous journey with supporting partners, Secwépemc communities and the Ktunaxa and Okanagan Nations to release 1,500 sockeye salmon fry into the headwaters of the Columbia River. This was the first time in 84 years that Indigenous Peoples had an opportunity to handle salmon in the headwaters.
Since then, the band has continued to work together to bring more salmon back to the river.
“Our goal is we aim to make this annual event a success by engaging our community and neighbours in advocating and celebration of this important species,” Thomas said.
