By Chadd Cawson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Listen to your elders; it’s more than a common expression, but a necessity to listen to Indigenous Elders when dealing with the health of land and waterways like our beloved Columbia Valley and its tributaries on the unceded territories of the Secwépemc and Ktunaxa People where we are so fortunate to live. Living Lakes Canada (LLC) hosted two Indigenous Elder Engagements and tours at Windermere Creek with both the Shuswap Band and Akisqnuk First Nation on June 17 and 18 in partnership with the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF). This event was originally proposed because there have been significant environmental disruptions occurring on Windermere Creek.
“The birth of these tours came about through discussions with BCWF, Susan Clovechok from RDEK and myself. I was able to access funding to support the Indigenous engagement regarding the wetland on Windermere Creek and the unauthorized agricultural diversion that has taken place,” says Diana Cote, BCWF Indigenous Liaison and co-coordinator of the event. “We had on hand for Saturday, Kyla Rushton of BCWF to discuss the wetland ecosystem services protocol. We can assess the wetland through this tool and provide training on this tool to the Indigenous Communities.”
Elders from the Shuswap Band shared their knowledge in a similar gathering on Friday, June 17. Submitted photo
Members from LLC, BCWF, RDEK, and CHARS (Columbia Headwaters Aquatic Restoration Secwépemc Strategy) sat with the Elders days before National Indigenous Peoples Day to listen to their concerns, take in their wisdom and perspectives, and collect their concerns and priorities around Windermere Creek. For Saturday’s field tour, some Elders from Akisqnuk brought their grandchildren.
“Wetland restoration has been proposed as a remediation strategy, the creek is a main tributary to Windermere Lake and is a drinking water source as well as a potential archeological and culturally significant location,” says Emily Mask Applied Reconciliation Coordinator with Living Lakes Canada who also co-coordinated the event.
“It is crucial to have Indigenous Elder engagement to lead environmental projects especially regarding water because they are the original caretakers.”
Akisqnuk Elder Alfred Joseph led a prayer at Windermere Creek on Saturday, June 18. After lunch under a beautiful open blue sky, amidst the nature on their traditional lands, Elders shared their perspectives and concerns about different waterways, fish, wildlife, and plant life that they feel are at risk. Many thoughts and perspectives were expressed while those in attendance hung on every word. Elder Lillian Rose shared hers on where salmon beds were once excavated at Athalmer and the benefits of having long-term plans going forward, while Elder Alfred Joseph shared his concerns about local wild and plant life and the decrease he has seen in muskrat homes and beavers in the area.
Windermere Creek is just one of many examples of local waterways that need monitoring or restoration and Living Lakes Canada is collecting water concerns and priorities to help choose sites for the installation of water monitoring equipment this summer. Climate change continues to be a shared community concern as we see other events pop up such as A Requiem for a Glacier. Living Lakes Canada hopes to better understand how climate change is affecting our fresh water sources and supply. As glaciers disappear with rising temperatures, there is a growing urgency.
“We hope the Elders felt heard and that we can create action from the time they spent with us on their land,” says Cote. “We also wish that engagements like this will bring stronger relationship ties with our organizations so community members may in the future bring us their water concerns and put their trust in our work.”
