A Newsletter of the Coast Salish Gathering

Volume 06 Issue 01 Time of cold weather U’wq A newsletter of the Coast Salish Gathering

WE HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF OUR ANCESTORS

A new era of fairness, justice begins as Canada & the U.S. endorse the UN Declaration

Coast Salish leaders celebrate the promise of a new coursE Harvard’s Honoring Nations high honors awarded to the 2 Coast Salish Gathering President Obama meets with Fraser River sockeye stand 12 tribal leaders in the to gain from Coast Salish 4 Roosevelt Room of the White participation in the powerful House. Brian Cladoosby, the Cohen Commission Chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, is in the center. Chief Justice Bruce Cohen’s 5 “fair and reasonable approach”

Photo by Pete Souza, official White House photographer Highway signs along B.C.’s WASHINGTON, D.C. — match those words.” “In almost every part famous Sea to Sky Highway 6 feature Coast Salish With President Barack Obama made the an- of our lives, our cultures, place names Obama’s announcement nouncement on Dec. 16 in our tribes, we have been on Dec. 16 that the U.S. a summit with the leaders impacted by the relation- Coast Salish words that will endorse the UN Decla- of 565 federally-recognized ship we have had with the express the ideals of the Coast 8 ration on the Rights of In- tribes during the White United States. This is an op- Salish Gathering digenous Peoples, and the House Tribal Nations Con- portunity to address some of recent announcement of ference. A day earlier Brian those impacts, some of the Canada’s endorsement, the Cladoosby, chairman of pain and suffering,” James Swadabs Beach gets gigantic new hats and ‘canoe parking’ 10 international community the Swinomish Tribal In- said. for the 2011 Paddle to acknowledges the right of dian Community, was one “It sets the agenda for Swinomish, and Being Frank Indigenous peoples to exist of 12 Indian nation leaders the future changing of the as peoples, nations, cultures selected to participate in a relationship between us and societies. closed-door meeting with and the United States,” he Eel grass bridges chasms 12 “The aspirations it af- the president, during which said. “Where our values, our between species, and firms—including the respect Cladoosby advocated for the teachings, our cultures, our generations of people for the institutions and rich need for the U.S. to uphold concepts of the sacred shall cultures of Native peoples— trust responsibility to Indian have more validity in the are ones we must always nations. Speaking after the negotiations with not just Suquamish striving to 14 understand the state of surf seek to fulfill,” Obama said announced endorsement the White House, but the smelt in the Salish Sea “….But I want to be clear: Jewell James of the Lummi Congress, hopefully, in the What matters far more than Indian Nation said Indian courts and with every poli- words—what matters far Country must pause to con- tician that comes after this more than any resolution or sider the promise contained day to represent the United The Paddler: news briefs from 15 declaration—are actions to in the Declaration. States.” around the Salish Sea

continued on page 2 UN Declaration, continued from page 1 Two days earlier the Assembly of Harvard’s Honoring Nations’ high honors First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo received a let- awarded to the Coast Salish Gathering ter from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressing the will- ingness to convene the first Crown- each year 10 nations are honored, only five receive high honors First Nations meeting. The news fol- lows Canada’s endorsement of the UN Declaration on Nov. 12. Albuquerque, N.M. — Five years after its ability. In addition to the awards, the Harvard Canada announced what it called first great gathering in contemporary times, Project prepares reports, case studies, and in- its “qualified recognition” on the In- the Coast Salish Gathering—a consortium of structional materials based on the honorees’ dian and Northern Affairs Canada the Native Nations around the Salish Sea—has successes, while providing the financial support website, stating, “after careful and been awarded Honoring Nations’ high honors for the Tribes to share their experience and ef- thoughtful consideration, Canada has for innovative governance that has resulted in forts with Indigenous people around the world. concluded that it is better to endorse “tremendous environmental advocacy” by the During a short presentation to the Honor- the Declaration while explaining its ing Nations Board of Governors on Nov. 16, at concerns, rather than simply reject- the National Congress of American Indians an- ing the overall document. It stated, nual convention, Coast Salish leaders, including “Although the (Declaration) does not Chief Gibby Jacob, Swinomish Chairman Brian reflect customary international law Cladoosby and Squamish Chief Ian Campbell or change Canadian laws, Canada discussed the teaching of the Coast Salish that believes that the (Declaration) has spans from the white caps on our mountain the potential to contribute positively ranges to the white caps on the Salish Sea. to the promotion and respect of the The “success of the Coast Salish Gathering rights of indigenous peoples around is that our commitment is not based on a man- the world.” date, but rather that we are committed together Since the endorsement, Atleo, through our bloodlines, families, culture, cer- who is a Hereditary Chief from the emony and dependence upon a shared Salish Ahousaht First Nation, has called the Sea,” said Chief Gibby Jacob of the Squamish Na- Declaration a guide and a framework tion. “Our success is to reach into the past to for defining and affirming the First make changes for our future.” Nations’ rights. The Honoring Nations Board recognized the Courtesy of the Honoring Nations Program “The United Nations Declaration Coast Salish Gathering, writing on its website, on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Coast Salish Gathering leaders receive high honors from “The Coast Salish Gathering provides an en- is now a reality and First Nations Harvard’s Honoring Nations. vironmental policy platform for the tribal and are taking action to transform our First Nations governments, state and provincial communities, governments and our Harvard Project on American Indian Economic governments, and the U.S. and Canadian federal Development. governments—all of which have interests in the continued, outside facing page » “The Coast Salish Gathering is a powerful ex- Salish Sea region—to discuss and determine ef- ample of how Native Nations can significantly fective environmental strategies and practices. impact environmental policy across internation- Most important for the Coast Salish people, al borders and across multiple jurisdictions to however, it amplifies their voice on environ- restore the health of their homeland and water- mental issues that matter most to them: access ways,” said Megan Minoka Hill, director of Hon- to toxin-free traditional foods, adequate wa- oring Nations. “We are thrilled and humbled to ter quality and quantity, and collective climate have the Coast Salish Gathering join the Hon- change policies.” oring Nations family of best practices in tribal Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Onon- governance at Harvard!” daga Indian Nation and Chairman of the Honor- Honoring Nations was established in 1998 to ing Nations Board, stated that Honoring Nations recognize models of good governance by Indian recognizes that “our destiny is in our hands. Nations. Each year 10 nations are honored, and Being capable of directing our own future and five of those receive high honors. The criteria defending the futures of our children and the Courtesy of the Assembly of First Nations are effectiveness, significance to sovereignty, futures of our Nations is profoundly important.” The Assembly of First Nations National Chief cultural relevance, transferability and sustain- Chief Campbell of the Squamish Nation Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.

2 « UN Declaration, continued from outside facing page relationship with Canada,” National Chief Atleo stated on Dec. 16. “I am pleased that the Prime Minister has responded to our call to work in re- spectful partnership to craft concrete plans for progress on our priorities.” The Declaration was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2007. It is an international law that condemns the policies of colonialism and assimi- lation. It favors self-determination for Indigenous peoples. At the 2007 vote,

Photo by Lisa Wilcox only four UN members—the United Chief Gibby Jacob accepts the Honoring Nations award on behalf of the Coast Salish Gathering. States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia—voted against the Declara- said that it “touched his heart to hear all ect on American Indian Economic Develop- tion, and 11 abstained. Australia was the presentations” by other Indian Nations ment, go to: www.hpaied.org. the first to reconsider, endorsing the about their good works. The other Nations For information about others who Declaration in 2008, and New Zea- to receive high honors were the Gila River were honored by Honoring Nations go to: land endorsed on April 19, 2010. Indian Community’s Air Quality Program; www.americanindianreport.com/word- Robert T. Coulter, who is Potawa- the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Constitu- press/2010/12/honoring-nations-honors- tomi and the executive director of the tional Reform; the Santa Fe Indian School’s 10-stellar-tribal-governance-programs/. Indian Law Resource Center, began Leadership Institute; and the Native Village to work with the Six Nations drafting of Newtok’s Relocation Effort in the face of the Declaration in 1976, but had “no rising sea levels. idea that one day it would be univer- “We must look with the support of our sally accepted and supported first by people to continue this good work, this gov- Indigenous peoples and eventually ernance structure that will create new policy by the countries of the world.” After based on the teachings of our past, the real- circulating among Indian nations for ity of our present, and the hope we have for several years, the Declaration was our children’s future,” Chairman Cladoosby presented to the United Nations. In said. “This is what will bring the 10,000 years 2007 the U.N. General Assembly ad- of knowing (that is the teachings of our peo- opted the Declaration with only these ple) and the scientific community, govern- four countries opposing. ment and policy together as one.” Coulter said in a statement on the The Coast Salish Gathering delegation Indian Law Resource Center website accepted the honor with a prayer song. that, “This endorsement reflects the They sang, “Chet kwen mantumiwit, we are worldwide acceptance of indigenous grateful.” peoples and our governments as a Former Tsartlip Chief Tom Sampson permanent part of the world com- said that with the international recogni- munity and the countries where we tion comes more responsibility. “There is no live. The Declaration on the Rights victory until our children are safe,” Samp- of Indigenous Peoples is the most son said. “The victory will happen when significant development in interna- we come together to wenaxws and protect tional human rights law in decades. our future through language, culture, spirit, International human rights law now land and water. This honor has called back recognizes the rights of Indigenous our ancestors, and now that we have some- peoples as peoples, including rights thing back, we must not give up. We must of self-determination, property, and Photo by Lisa Wilcox embrace each other with the courage of our culture.” Drummers share traditional welcoming at Harvard’s ancestors. This is how we move forward.” Honoring Nations event. For information about the Harvard Proj-

3 Fraser River sockeye stand to gain from Coast Salish participation in the powerful Cohen Commission

British Columbia’s most iconic salmon run is at risk

The collapse of The most powerful aspect of the Cohen Com- the unique indigenous fishery expertise that has Fraser River sockeye mission, a six-month, $15 million Canadian effort been achieved, refined and passed down through fishery caused to delve into the disappearance of Fraser River countless generations. grief, hunger sockeye salmon, is the possibility that govern- “I hope saner minds prevail after the final re- ment agencies might finally, officially hear what port gets presented,” says Pennier, whose Stó:lo The importance of the sockeye -- Nation boasts the larg- salmon fishery to the 94 First Na- est aboriginal fishery on tions along the Fraser River can the Pacific Coast. “Our hardly be overstated, said Stó:l side has a lot of traditional Grand Chief Clarence “Kat” Pen- knowledge that should be nier. Nor can the hardship along respected instead of dis- the Fraser in 2009, when 9 million missed.” sockeye out of an expected run of The notion that Brit- 10 million failed to arrive. ish Columbia’s most iconic “It caused a lot of grief,” Pen- salmon runs were in seri- nier said. “People couldn’t get fish ous trouble may be news for food, for wind-drying, they in the highest levels of fed- couldn’t get fish for ceremony. eral government, but it has That’s what life revolves around not been news among the here in the winter. We need them Coast Salish, not for a gen- for our winter dances, the naming eration or more. ceremonies, honoring ceremonies As Ernie Crey, senior fisheries advisor to the and memorials. We caught very Courtesy of Tyrone McNeil Stó:lo Tribal Council, who few. It’s hard on people, especially Stó:lo Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil stands in his fish camp by the Fraser River with his has attended every Co- elders, because they rely on it.” daughter Sarah McNeil (far left) and his brother Guy McNeil (left) at their family dry-rack hen Commission hearing, For the most impoverished fish camp in the Fraser Canyon above Hope, B.C. communities, many in remote says, “The white scientific settings high in the Fraser wa- First Nations have been trying to tell them for de- knowledge on Pacific Coast salmon is a little more tershed, salmon is their primary cades: That’s no way to treat the salmon. than 60 years old. Their way of estimating the protein source. Many households Last year about 90 percent of a predicted return sockeye run is relatively new—it’s juvenile knowl- in the rural areas are made up of of 10 million Fraser sockeye simply disappeared, edge compared to the knowledge of First Nations, the young and the old, often sub- prompting federal action. Prime Minister Stephen which is millennia old.” sisting on a fixed income “that Harper appointed British Columbia Chief Justice The action-packed first weeks of the commis- doesn’t allow going to the super- Bruce Cohen to lead a commission beginning in sion came on the heels of another sockeye sur- market to buy protein,” said Ernie October to delve into the factors responsible and prise: the largest return to the Fraser River since Crey, senior fisheries and child- to ultimately make recommendations to sustain 1913. Originally projected at a combined 34.5 mil- welfare advisor to the Stó:lo Tribal Fraser River sockeye runs. The commission’s final lion, the 2010 estimated total was later reduced Council. report is expected in May 2011. by at least 20 percent to 28 million or fewer fish. “But more than just a principal The hopes of participating First Nations are However, Chief Justice Cohen stated that source of protein, it’s also a cul- twofold, according to Stó:lo Grand Chief Clarence the unforeseen massive return did not alter ei- tural link to the distant past, the “Kat” Pennier: For aboriginal and treaty fishing ther the overall pattern of decline or the urgen- ways we fish, the places we fish, rights promised in the Canadian Constitution, cy of his commission’s task. Furthermore, it is the ancient techniques of catching section 35, to be recognized and reflected in poli- widely agreed that sockeye numbers in the next fish, butchering fish, preserving cies of federal and provincial bodies such as the three years will revert to dangerously low levels, Department of Fisheries and Oceans; and to gain based on the meager returns of their parents’ gen- a prominent role in co-management based on erations of 2007-2009 and conditions when they continued, outside facing page »

4 hatched and were smolts. mitted. Before the break, one panel of particular « Sockeye, continued from outside Among the 21 different groups granted stand- interest to First Nations was Conservation, Sus- facing page ing before the Cohen Commission—recognized tainability and Stewardship on Oct. 28, which fish. In seasons when there isn’t a as having “substantial and direct interest” in the included testimony from Dr. David Close, who is fishery—and in some tributaries on matter before the commission—is the Western a Umatilla tribal member and a professor of ab- the Fraser River this has been for de- Central Coast Salish First Nations, including the original fisheries at the University of British Co- cades now—important cultural ties Cowichan Tribes and Chemainus First Nation, lumbia, and Terry Glavine, respected author and are lost,” Crey says. “The loss of fish Hwlitsum First Nation and Penelakut Tribe, and journalist. Stó:lo Grand Chief Pennier testified changes a community, sometimes Te’mexw Treaty Association. Groups with stand- before the commission in mid-December during in just a generation. They lose the ing can propose and cross-examine witnesses, hearings on the Aboriginal Worldview, Cultural special skills and knowledge; they and make oral submissions. Context and Traditional Knowledge. forget how to make a gillnet from Unlike two other government-sponsored For Coast Salish, the commission represents scratch, how to make a dipnet. salmon inquiries in the past 20 years, which a chance not only to revitalize depleted, pre- “…The sense of community is generated more heat than light, more opinion cious fisheries, perhaps gain implementation of compromised. It goes to the whole than fact and fairness, the current proceedings accepted but stalled initiatives such as the DFO’s issue of cultural and social identity. have been markedly calm and orderly, giving Wild Salmon Policy, but also to regain lost rights Yes, fishing is an important eco- First Nations observers greater confidence in dating to times that precede English laws that nomic activity, but it’s also about the process. “Cohen conducts the inquiry with trace back to the Magna Carta. community. Fishing goes to the very a lot of dignity, poise and professionalism,” Crey Pennier says he is hopeful that when Chief heart of who we are.” says, “unlike past inquiries, which had a lot of Justice Cohen reviews all the studies and testi- rhetoric, a lot of posturing and finger-pointing.” mony, the facts will affirm First Nations posi- Said Pennier, “I think (the commission pro- tions on ways to better manage the fishery. “My Cohen Commission in brief cess) is going to educate a lot more than have hope is all the different research and informa- WHO: British Columbia Chief Jus- been educated through previous studies be- tion should help us,” he said. “It will put us all tice Bruce Cohen appointed by Can- cause there are a lot more different players in- on the same page, and our knowledge will be ada’s prime minister volved here.” talked about in a larger group.” On Oct. 29, Chief Justice Cohen released a He points to the Boldt decision, in the 1974 WHAT: To find out what happened sweeping interim report called “Fraser River case U.S. vs. Washington, and the establishment to the 9 million sockeye, 90 percent Sockeye Salmon: Past Declines. Future Sustain- of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission of the expected return, that disap- ability?” In it, he stated the commission had as one example of a regional model that better peared in 2009 reviewed more than 700 previous recommen- serves indigenous communities, and fish. WHERE: The Fraser River on the dations and government responses to manag- “In trying to get them to recognize our con- central coast of B.C., the largest ing the Fraser sockeye fishery, which would be stitutional right,” Pennier says, “we’d like more tributary of the Salish Sea considered along with information from these of a role in managing the resource with them hearings. based on our traditional knowledge of the fish- WHEN: The commission began in Hearings came to an unexpected halt in ery—not taking away from their science, but October and will issue findings in mid-November when Cohen declared partici- complementing it. May pants needed two weeks to digest a mountain WHY: Aboriginal and treaty fishing of highly-technical scientific documents sub- rights promised in the Canadian Constitution pertain to 150 distinct indigenous groups in B.C., including 94 First Nations in British Columbia Chief Justice Bruce Cohen’s ‘fair and reasonable approach’ that live on the Fraser River

On Oct. 29, Chief Justice Cohen released a sweeping interim report called “Fraser River Sockeye Find more detailed information Salmon: Past Declines. Future Sustainability?” He wrote: at www.cohencommission.ca. On “In my opinion, this fair and reasonable approach should result in a set of findings and rec- Twitter: Stó:lo fisheries advisor Er- ommendations that, I trust, will end the cycle of reviewing the same issues over and over again. nie Crey also offers observations “…I believe that there is a common will to do what is necessary to conserve Fraser sockeye from the hearings at twitter.com/ stocks and I am cautiously optimistic that, with the cooperation of the participants, recommen- cheyom. dations will be made to satisfy our mandate of improving the future sustainability of the fishery. In saying this, I am under no illusions about the challenge that lies ahead for the commission, the controversial nature of some of the issues that must be investigated, or the fact that there is a long history of recommendations advanced and responses proffered.”

5 Highway signs along famous B.C. scenic route now include Coast Salish place names roadside kiosks tell squamish story

The famed Sea to Sky Highway that runs for 10,000 years based on carbon from West Vancouver to the world-class ski dating of sites in the area.” destination at Whistler, B.C., has always But the cooperation between shown off spectacular views of the Sal- B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation ish Sea, and the wondrous white-capped and the Squamish didn’t happen mountains of the Squamish Nation’s terri- overnight. It took years, starting tory. in 2002 when the province raised But since a $610 million project to wid- the idea of widening Highway 99 en the highway in time for the 2010 Van- from two lanes to three and four couver Winter Olympics, the road has also lanes between Vancouver and become a cultural journey that uses signs Whistler. The project would take and roadside kiosks to tie the landscape to 3,000 acres of Squamish territory. Photo by Tad McIlwraith the Squamish, for whom the pathway is a The Squamish Nation negoti- backbone of their lands. ated for the signage, the kiosks The Squamish Nation and the B.C. Ministry of Transportation worked Now the Squamish Nation offers this as and also for protection of and together to make the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler an example to the Coast Salish Gathering access to cultural sites along the to give place names signs in both the Coast Salish language and English. of how a provincial public-works project highway. “We were not asking for could also raise the profile of a Coast Sal- a permit, or a park, or a lease, but which the Squamish access from the high- ish nation. for the province to recognize the ceremo- way could be private. Before the set-asides, Working together over several years, nial use along the highway,” Williams said. hikers would often interrupt the Squamish the Squamish Nation and the B.C. Ministry But British Columbia law in 2002 did not people’s ceremonial use of these sites. of Transportation made a scenic highway allow the set-aside of sacred sites. It would The province “turned a corner to recog- into an experience of the Squamish cul- take six years of negotiation, and two nize the spiritual and cultural values of the ture and language for drivers. New high- years in the provincial legislature, before Squamish Nation,” Williams said. way signs, which the province was going the sites representing 1,200 acres were set In 2009, the widened Sea to Sky High- to make anyway, give place names in the aside “for us alone,” Williams said. Hiking way, also identified in signs as the Cultural Coast Salish language as well as the names trails were moved sometimes miles away, Journeys Highway, opened in time for the later given by settlers. Eleven pull-offs have or decommissioned, so the sacred areas 2010 Winter Olympics, which hosted events kiosks built to resemble Coast Salish cedar hats, containing maps of Squamish territory and stories about the location where visitors are standing. Coast Salish mourn the passing of Grand Chief “We know all the names of the towns of the Stó:lo Tribal Council and villages in our own language, and any- time there is a place named there must be a Grand Chief Archie Charles of Seabird Island First Nation, the first leader to have the title Squamish name also,” said Squamish Chief bestowed on him by the Stó:lo Tribal Council, passed away Nov. 29, 2010, at age 88. Bill Williams, who is one of the nation’s The Grand Chief title is given to leaders who have been in an elected position for many four hereditary chiefs. “We hope people years. Charles was elected chief of the Seabird Island Band, located in the upper Fraser Valley of will ask questions. That is what we want British Columbia, in 1973 and served 14 consecutive terms, until 2001. since this demonstrates that our interest in Charles was a recent recipient of the Order of Canada, an honor of the highest order ad- the land is still there and that it supersedes ministered on behalf of Queen Elizabeth to those who have made a major difference to Canada the concept of British Columbia, which is through the achievement of outstanding merit or distinguished service through their lifelong only 150 years old. contributions. “We have been here for millennia and British Columbia Lt. Gov. Steven Point, who is also Stó:lo, presented the award at a cer- we have consistently used the same areas emony on Aug. 28, 2009, in the Seabird Island Community Hall. Charles’ citation for the Order of Canada stated: “With extraordinary compassion and dedication, Archie Charles has devoted continued right » 6 in Vancouver and 80 kilo- appear above the English names. Genetic virus l inked to meters up the highway in Even if many can’t pronounce salmon deaths Whistler. International tour- the Coast Salish names, their pres- ists were greeted with place- ence along with the kiosks makes VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Sockeye name signs that give equal, people think, inspires questions and salmon in one of Canada’s key but official weight to the Coast opens a dialogue. For Squamish peo- troubled fisheries on the Pacific Salish and English names. The ple, the presence of the signs and the Coast may have a genetic flaw that Coast Salish names were pro- kiosks has a greater meaning. makes them more susceptible to vided by the Squamish Chief Ian “Many people don’t know the lan- disease, according to a study re- Campbell, along with the stories guage or the place names, but when leased on Thursday. and histories for the kiosks, which they see it they feel the pride of recog- Researchers have found a genetic Campbell developed in coopera- nition,” Williams said. profile in some of sockeye in British tion with Julie Baker. On the highway Courtesy of the Columbia’s Fraser River that indi- signs, Coast Salish names actually B.C. Ministry of cates some are more likely to die be- Transportation fore they are able spawn, according to the study published in the journal Science. It is still unknown what is killing the salmon, but a genetic flaw may make them more vulnerable to deadly viral infections, according to scientists with the Canadian government and the University of British Columbia. The data indicates the virus infects the fish before they enter the river, according to the researchers, and can persist to their spawning grounds, some of which can be hundreds of miles inland in tributary streams. Salmon tagged in the ocean and found to have the genetic signature were 13.5 times more likely to die before spawning than those without it. Photo by Tad McIlwraith Those tagged in the river and found One of several kiosks that Squamish Nation Chief Ian Campbell, in cooperation with Julie Baker, filled with histories and to have the profile were 50 percent stories about locations that are now pullouts along the British Columbia’s Sea to Sky Highway. more likely to die before spawning. Although last year saw British Co- lumbia’s largest salmon migration in « continued from Grand Chief mourned over a century, that followed several his life to the betterment and well-being of the Stó:lo First Nation. A veteran of the Second World years of decline, including sockeye War and survivor of the residential school program, he was elected chief of the Seabird Island band returns two years ago that fell far be- for an unprecedented 14 consecutive terms. low what scientist had predicted.The “During this period, he initiated many projects that have revitalized the Seabird Island commu- researchers said the findings should nity, and both preserved and promoted his nation’s culture and language. As a strong advocate for help them better predict how many Aboriginal self-government and cross-cultural reconciliation, he has worked towards the resolution salmon will survive to reproduce. of land and title disputes. Thanks to his tireless efforts on behalf of his people, he is the first person Earlier research has said the pre- to be named Grand Chief of the Stó:lo First Nation.” spawning death rates were between Charles leaves behind a legacy of self-governance that many First Nations bands now emulate, 45 percent and 90 percent, according Willie Charlie, chief of the nearby Chehalis band, told the Agassiz Observer. “Archie was very instru- to the researchers. mental in how progressive Seabird is today,” Charlie said. The services offered to band members, along with the infrastructure on the reserve, are all in place due to Charles’ leadership, the Observer reported. Charles was also a fervent supporter of fisheries and enjoyed going every summer to the ancient dry-rack camp in the Fraser Canyon, where salmon are preserved through traditional wind- drying. Grand Chief Charles is survived by his wife, Tina Jack, and many family members.

7 U’wq

The Coast Salish Gathering We are Coast Salish has spoken words in both the language of their ancestors and English. Among these words are ones that express the values of the peoples of the Salish Sea. They are shared here in the Coast Salish language and in translation.

Laws/teachings – Sne’wáyelh Remember – Xéch xech Connections – EslhélheKwhiws Creator/creation – Xexe7ének Guard/protect – Nsíiyxnit Spirit/life – Kwelháynexw Responsibilities – Síiyamin Support/cooperation – Ayáteway Helping one another – Chénchenstway Harmony, as one – Nchú7mut History/mythology – Sxwexwiyám Ancestors – Swa7ám Transformation – Nexwáyantsut

A STATEMENT OF OUR TEACHINGS AS COAST SALISH PEOPLES Kwacht chet ti xay stl'alkem smenmanit, ti smamka We have seen those peaks of mountains kneeling So it is our declaration xaxmin na7 tl'a selken ti smanit. Tina7 tl'a smamka na quiet, snow-capped. From the snow of the peaks that we gather together xwii ti xay stl'alkem stakw, ti kwekwetxwm texwta7 ti goes the water cascading to meet the white-capped to protect our land from shkwen. I7xw encha ti skwayel, stekwtakw, ti shkwen sea. From sky, river, to the waters, is the home of water to water, as was wa aynexw chet ta nimelh stelmexw. Na7 tkwi the Coast Salish people. granted by the Creator. kwekwin, ti swa7am chet tina7 itti, men wa7ew chet chichayst ti chiyax, nexwniw iy snewayelh. This is the home of our Ancestors that we have These are our teachings, walked for millennium. for we are Coast Salish people. Estetxw ti snichim chet, eskekxw ti stelmexw, nsiiyxnit temixw chet, ti stakw texwta7 ti shkwen, i7xw stam By Chief Ian Campbell, Squamish Nation eslhelhekwhiws ti Xexe7enek Siyam. Na melh snewayelh chet ti nchu7mut ta nimelh stelmexw. Photography by Lisa Wilcox, Squamish Nation For the Coast Salish Gathering U’wq

more than 10,000 visitors anticipated

As the powerful pullers from more than 130 theme—“Loving, Caring and Sharing Together,” canoe families approach Swadabs Beach at the which holds profound meaning for Swinomish. Swinomish Reservation next summer at the end It represents the teachings of Swinomish leader of their epic voyage through the Salish Sea, they Chester Cayou, who passed away in August at will glimpse three giant hats adorning a newly 88. Cayou, who served in the Swinomish Sen- restored crescent of sand. ate for 25 years and devoted special attention to The iconic Coast Salish cedar hats will be working with youth, often greeted canoe fami- the striking roof design on a trio of new pavil- lies in the Lushootseed language as they arrived Two Nations spotlight ions that will beckon the canoes from afar in at Swinomish in past Canoe Journeys. unique relationship at the 2011 Tribal Canoe Journey’s Paddle to Swin- Cayou’s life and values will be reflected in Squamish L’íl’wat Nation omish. many aspects of the Paddle to Swinomish, July Cultural Centre Elders and others will be sheltered beneath 25-31. His granddaughter Aurelia Washington is the pavilions, providing a perfect view of land- the coordinator of the Swinomish Canoe Jour- Photo by Tad McIlwraith ing protocols in which canoes from all over the ney, and a cedar hat she made was used as the Inside the Squamish L’íl’wat Nation Cultural Coast Salish territory, and as far as Alaska, ar- original inspiration for the pavilion design. Centre in Whistler, B.C., site of a historic village rive on the west side of Swinomish Channel and Among the preparations and improvements shared by the Squamish and L’íl’wat. ask their hosts for permission to come ashore. being made to welcome an anticipated 10,000 The pavilion project, scheduled to begin to 12,000 visitors are a new 77-foot-long chan- The Squamish L’íl’wat Nation construction in January, was designed by Native nel, a 22-acre camping area convenient to Cultural Centre is the result of an American firm Womer & Associates, with many nightly protocols, four 25-foot totem poles and ancient relationship between the ecological features in its materials and architec- two interpretive kiosks, by master carver Kevin Squamish Nation and the L’íl’wat ture. Each graceful, open-sided pavilion, 40 feet Paul, telling the Swinomish story. The new wa- Nation that was renewed in a his- high and 60 feet in diameter, will be “built with ter channel off Swadabs Beach was designed as toric 2001 protocol agreement com- as many sustainable aspects as we can,” said a customized canoe parking area. After receiv- mitting both nations to “coopera- architect and project manager Craig Woodard, ing permission, each canoe family will back its tion in matters of cultural and eco- including skylights to reduce the need for arti- craft into the new channel for easy landing and nomic development, and co-man- ficial lighting. safekeeping. agement of their shared territory.” The elegant welcoming pavilions will be- A key innovation for the guests’ comfort, The Squamish L’íl’wat Nation come the embodiment of the 2011 journey’s Washington says, is a site design allowing all Cultural Centre states on its website that this agreement is the only one of its kind in Canada. For OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Supreme thousands of years the two nations Being Frank Court chose to pass the buck when it ruled recently shared a village near modern-day that the Municipal Water Law doesn’t violate the Whistler, known as Spo7e. In the water state constitution. spirit of neighbors, the centre, Back in 2003, a number of tribes, environmen- which is located in the heart of law an tal groups and others challenged the law because Whistler and at the end of the Sea accident it gives away a public resource to private interests to Sky Highway, tells the stories of and ignores tribal treaty rights. It encourages ur- the two nations. The Squamish are waiting ban sprawl and takes away water needed by fish from the west of the mountains on to happen and wildlife. It gives priority of the water for future the coastline of the Salish Sea while growth rather than protecting the rights of the citi- the L’íl’wat are from east of the zens that are here today. By Billy Frank, Jr. mountains. We pointed out the injustice that this law aimed at helping towns preserve their water rights while continued, outside facing page » continued right » 10 « Cultural Centre, continued from outside facing page

Their stories, which are as different as their territories, are told in the 30,400-square-foot complex. The book, “Where Rivers, Moun- tains and People Meet” tells their story. The centre’s website www. slcc.ca also contains extensive online exhibitions. Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the museum is its staffing.

Courtesy of Womer & Associates Six staffers are Squamish and six are L’íl’wat, and they are trained to An architect’s rendering of what Swadabs Beach at the Swinomish Reservation will look like next summer when the Tribal answer questions and interact with Canoe Journey’s Paddle comes to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. the public, leading art projects and singing songs throughout each day. the essential activities of the seven-day gath- when the work was completed how proud Some of the other Coast Sal- ering—from camping to eating to dance, song they were.” ish nations also have museums. and story celebrations—to be conducted at a Twenty elders recently made a trip to Among them, in Washington, are: single central location, within walking dis- Pendleton Woolen Mills in Eastern Oregon to • The Suquamish Museum on tance of the landing site, “so people don’t select fabrics for bags, pillows and other eye- Bainbridge Island opened in have to shuttle in and out of different areas.” enticing gifts. Next up, Washington says, are 1989. It has extensive archives The honor of hosting the 2011 event has hundreds of cedar hats, baskets and paddles and collections. Find it online at generated a burst of activity at Swinom- to be made this winter and spring. www.suquamish.org/Museum. ish—ranging from groups working to create Washington expects the shared experi- aspx hundreds of beautiful traditional gifts for ences of the Canoe Journey to create lasting potlatch to young people mastering ancient ripples through her community. She says, • The Squaxin Island Museum Li- traveling songs and paddle dances to present “Witnessing how other tribes do their cer- brary and Research Center con- to their guests. emony and share their culture will hopefully tains rare cultural materials. “Canoe Journey for me is not just about help our people realize what we need to do to Find it online at www.squaxini- the seven-day celebration,” Washington says. revitalize our teaching and ceremony, along slandmuseum.org “It’s about having the opportunity to identify with our language.” • The Tulalip Tribe’s Hibulb Cultur- and practice the ways of our ancestors.” For more information go to http://paddle- al Center is scheduled to open in About 30 Swinomish teens spent last sum- toswinomish.com. 2011. Find it online at www.tu- mer making 100 deerhide drums for Canoe laliptribes-nsn.gov/Home/Gov- Journey giveaways. “They really enjoyed it,” ernment/Departments/Hibulb- Washington said. “It was just amazing to see CulturalCenter/Museum.aspx.

« continued from Being Frank There’s also nothing to prevent developers ing at a time when our glaciers are melting and planning for growth included private develop- from leasing their monopoly water rights to our rivers are running dry. Our groundwater is ers, but left out everyone else. It left out our en- others. That could encourage even more urban being drained by tens of thousands of unregu- vironment, fish and wildlife too. sprawl fueled by private gain from a public related wells. At a time when all of us and our It’s a fact that there are more water rights on source. In the end, the court punted the ball, natural resources need water the most, we are paper in Washington State than there is water saying any specific problems with the law will losing out to those who can’t use it and don’t to fulfill those rights. By upholding the law, the have to be dealt with case by case. That’s too have to share it. Supreme Court has made it possible for develop- bad, because now it will take longer and cost We all know there’s a big difference between ers to hoard water rights, then begin drawing more to overturn this bad law. what’s right and what’s legal. Us tribes don’t out more water than actually exists. The law’s a funny thing. We went to court to plan on going anywhere soon. We will continue Before this law, if you couldn’t use all of your try and stop an unjust piece of legislation from the fight here and now for our treaty rights and water, it could become available to other us- becoming law, but instead we are being told to a sustainable future, one battle at a time, or 20 ers. The Municipal Water Law changed all that. wait. Wait until the accident happens. Well, we battles at a time. Now, developers can hold onto water they can’t can’t wait, and neither can the salmon. We don’t Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually, is chairman of the Northwest Indian even use. That’s a monopoly and it isn’t right. have that luxury any more. All of this is happen- Fisheries Commission. Column courtesy of NWIFC.

11 Eelgrass bridges chasms between species, and generations of people eelgrass is a safe haven for many fish

Randy Lewis, environmental coordi- learned to respect eelgrass, either as 50s were like, ‘Wow, we didn’t realize’ nator for the Squamish Nation, wants to a traditional food or for the ecological about the significance of eelgrass to the raise the profile of a little-known most heavy lifting it performs in tidal and es- sustainability of all species in aquacul- valuable player in the story of salmon— tuary areas. Lewis said he noticed this ture. But they were getting a better ap- eelgrass. when the Coast Salish Gathering hosted a preciation of it and (came away) saying, The ribbon-like aquatic plant, whose session this fall with eelgrass expert and ‘Maybe if it’s at risk, maybe we can save waving strands range from a few inches advocate Nikki Wright, of the Seagrass it or rehabilitate it.’” to 6 feet long, is perhaps easy for us to overlook since it most often grows in underwater meadows in tidal areas near shore. But its beneficial effects on the su- perstars of the sea are profound. Eelgrass provides the cradle for an ar- ray of salmon food—aquatic insects and forage fish, notably herring, sand lance and surf smelt (oolichan)—and also offers a crucial hideout for vulnerable young salmon as they migrate from the fresh streams of their birth and grow accus- tomed to survival in saltier waters. “Crabs and shrimp and many other species are dependent on eelgrass,” said former Tsartlip Chief Tom Sampson. “The herring come and spawn on it, all different species depend on it—it’s endless.” Sea creatures aren’t the only fans of eelgrass; Coast Salish people have used it since time immemorial and as recently as the late-20th century. Eelgrass was har- vested for food by people around the Sal- ish Sea as recently as 30 years ago—Samp- son, 75, remembers when old Saanich people layered eelgrass and kelp around Photo by Sharon Jeffery 500 pounds of clams to steam atop hot Eelgrass in the Pacific Ocean, near Bamfield, B.C., on Vancouver Island’s west coast, provides a nursery for many rocks in a pit dug in the beach. Eelgrass kinds of small sea creatures and juvenile fish. Above, a young copper fish swims through eelgrass in the Pacific near also “played an important part in our Vancouver Island. medicinal plants, which we used to treat certain ailments,” Lewis said. Conservation Working Group of Vancou- Among the threats to eelgrass are Sampson teaches the traditional 13 ver Island. The Coast Salish audience re- coastal development, especially hard- Moons calendar, which guided the edible, action split into generational camps. scape such as seawalls and breakwa- social and spiritual activities among the “You could see the elders in the ters; water pollution, such as fertilizer Coast Salish. In that ancient survival sys- crowd—I was watching their expres- runoff from agriculture and toxics from tem, April through June, at the extreme sions—and they were knowing and un- mills and industry; dredging, and logging low tides, was the season for harvesting derstanding as she was speaking,” Lewis that clouds rivers with sediment runoff. eelgrass. Its root-like rhizomes were also said. “The elders in their 70s and 80s, Eelgrass requires clear water to receive put in steaming pits to flavor deer, seal they were nodding and going, ‘Yeah, the sunlight that drives its photosynthe- and porpoise. that’s right.’ sis. That’s why it only thrives to depths But most people nowadays never “But the people in their 30s, 40s and of about 30 feet, and can’t grow where

12 Photos by Sharon Jeffery

Above, a nudibranch or a “snail without a shell” in eelgrass, near Vancouver Island’s west shore. Top right, a juvenile black rockfish swims in eelgrass in the Pacific near Vancouver Island. Bottom right, a pandalus shrimp finds refuge in eelgrass off the west coast of Vancouver Island. docks shade the water. Both Wright and Lewis say the most As Wright and Lewis can attest after powerful lesson is that success lies in com- more than a decade of cooperating on be- munity-based efforts that invite the broad- half of eelgrass, the recent movement to est range of people, businesses, organiza- protect and restore the underappreciated tions and agencies to take ownership of plant has generated a great deal of useful the eelgrass work. knowledge. Before the mid-1990s, some ill- The Squamish Nation and the Squamish fated projects sowed doubt about whether River Watershed Society, of which Lewis is less and lived on their boats—“all different transplanting eelgrass was even a worth- president, have been ongoing contribu- economic classes, ethnicities and ages”— while pursuit. tors to the work. Wright says her records coming together to build the health of Better research has revealed why some indicate that 3,300 eelgrass shoots have their waterscape and its creatures. earlier efforts failed. Today, Wright says, been transplanted since 2004 in Squamish “People from different walks of life it is recognized that eelgrass needs to be Nation territory. Other First Nations that start talking to each other, start bridging transplanted into an area with conditions Wright has worked with to map or restore the chasms that exist culturally,” she said. similar to its original home, including the eelgrass include the Tsartlip, Pauquachin, “It’s magic. It creates hope, too.” water depth and salinity, amount of light, Snuneymuxw, Heiltsuk First Nations and To view the 13 Moons calendar, and and type of material—muddy or sandy— Cowichan Tribes. find worksheets to teach students about that the roots were used to. And, crucially, Wright was in her home area of Brent- it, go to: www.racerocks.com/racerock/ it must remain wet from its harvest to fi- wood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula, north firstnations/13moons/13moons.htm nal transplant. No more shoots sitting in of Victoria, B.C., when she had an eelgrass- To learn more about eelgrass conserva- dry buckets in the sun. inspired epiphany. Wearing diving gear, tion, go to: www.seachangelife.net. “What happened before was that the she’d been anchoring transplants to the science of eelgrass wasn’t well-known,” ocean floor during a community event. Wright says, adding that her group often When she surfaced, she saw a perfect tab- plants a test plot and watches it grow for leau of the volunteers back on the beach: a year before deciding to make a bigger Toddlers, students and elders, Coast Salish investment of resources. “If you do it the and non-native people, scientists, divers, right way, you can be very successful.” townspeople and others who were home-

13 Suquamish and others striving to understand the state of surf smelt in the Salish Sea

forage fish, like the smelt, number below historic levels

Paul Dorn, salmon research biologist with the Suquamish Tribe, is midway through pro- cessing surf smelt eggs collected from the beaches of Bainbridge Island and other bays of East Kitsap County in Washington. This collaborative research effort also in- volves the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Geological Survey, and Ca- nadian researchers, and focuses on better un- derstanding the biology of these important forage fish. Historically, Washington State and British Columbia have been responsible for oversight of forage fish stocks including herring, sand lance, northern anchovies and surf smelt in the Salish Sea. But the state Courtesy of the Suquamish Tribe and province have treated the surf smelt as a single fishery stock for the lack of the ge- Suquamish Tribe’s fishery team at work researching condition in the southern Salish Sea. netic tools to distinguish between the silvery populations spawning on beaches through- Dorn said. “These plans play a critical role in Dorn jokes that a lot of knees are worn out of out the sea. protecting the surf smelt’s spawning habi- pants as volunteers take to their hands and Dorn said preliminary research from 30 tat. Spawning is only element of surf smelt knees to find the eggs. Suquamish and Wash- nearby Salish Sea beaches is finding that surf life history; they also depend upon local wa- ington Fish and Wildlife biologists supervise smelt appear to be distinct genetic popula- ter quality and a food chain that is directly volunteers who use microscopes borrowed tions that are localized, which may help to affected by the human footprint.” from the nearby Olympic Community Col- explain why some beaches impacted by hu- “One of the things tribal elders have con- lege to search for the eyed eggs, which will man activities no longer have spawning surf tinually asked us about in the Suquamish be used in the DNA research. Findings should smelt while other nearby beaches still have fisheries department over the last 30 years,” be completed and available in 2011. spawning populations. Dorn said, “was when we were going to do The center’s research, restoration work “It’s timely to understand surf smelt life something about the surf smelt?” and educational outreaches are open to the history better because Kitsap County and For the Suquamish and other Coast public. Most of the volunteers are science our local cities, including Bainbridge Island, Salish peoples, surf smelt were a regular students. Dorn said, time is of the essence Poulsbo, Bremerton, and Port Orchard, are part of their diet and were sold smoked in for surf smelt populations in the Salish Sea. updating their shoreline master plans,” town. Elders report witnessing a significant “The bottom line is it’s almost 2011 and decline in surf smelt’s spawning on local we don’t have a good handle on surf smelt beaches. Suquamish staff—focused on the population, its genetics or its abundance,” co-management responsibilities concerning Dorn said. “We assume surf smelt popula- the declining salmon populations in the last tions are stable, but they are, like the herring 20 years—didn’t have an answer. But when in and sand lance populations, probably below recent years asked to participate in research historic levels of abundance. It feels really about the state of surf smelt, Suquamish good to be part of a collaborative effort to “jumped at the chance to finally address our finally better understand our local surf smelt elders’ concerns.” populations. And it’s time to address the el- The Suquamish Tribe’s Cowling Creek ders concerns as we seek to recover listed Center is where Dorn’s crew of volunteers species, to prevent further Endangered Spe- help to search beaches for surf smelt eggs, cies Listings, and to restore the health and Surf smelt ready to spawn. which are generally attached to beach gravel. biodiversity of the Salish Sea.”

14 The Paddler

Stillaguamish carve erton, curator of Native lawsuit over damage to wild the first river canoe American Art at the Seattle salmon stocks from sea-lice in a century Art Museum, told the Herald allegedly caused by salmon at Everett, Wash., is probably farms on the Broughton Ar- The Stillaguamish Tribe’s the first new river canoe to chipelago. Shawn Yanity and Jeff Tatro be carved among the Coast Victoria challenged pro- are working with Lummi Salish in the U.S. in 75 years. posed representative plain- carver Felix Solomon to Last spring the Stillagua- tiff, Robert Chamberlin, the revive the shovel-nosed river mish celebrated their First elected chief of an aborigi- canoe favored by the inland Salmon Ceremony for the nal collective known as the Coast Salish tribes that first time in decades on the Kwicksutaineuk/Ah-Kwa- surround the Salish Sea. Stillaguamish River. Now Ya- Mish First Nation, saying The shape, flat-bottomed nity awaits the maiden voy- Indians are barred by the

Courtesy of the Coast Salish Gathering Our young colleague, Emma Worgum, accepting High Honors awarded to the Coast Salish Gathering at Harvard’s Honoring Nations.

The Coast Salish Gathering Newsletter is a Courtesy of the Nisqually Land Trust Courtesy of the Suquamish Tribe publication of the Coast Salish Gathering. and wide-bellied, allowed age of this river canoe, which Class Proceedings Act from The newsletter’s editorial board: the ancestors to carry large he hopes will bring healing launching such litigation. Debra Lekanof, Coast Salish Gathering loads through rushing river to his and other inland Coast The provincial govern- Coordinator and Swinomish Indian waters. The opportunity to Salish the way the Canoe ment contended that a class Tribal Community Policy Analyst carve a river canoe emerged Journey on the Salish Sea has action is not the preferable Lisa Wilcox, Senior Executive last year when a logging brought restoration of cul- procedure for resolving the Assistant at the Squamish Nation company found seven old- ture to all the Coast Salish native claims, and that the growth cedar logs buried peoples. challenges the First Nations The newsletter’s team: in mud in the Stillaguamish would face in establishing Editor: land near Arlington, Wash. the fishing rights said to have Kara Briggs, Red Hummingbird First Nations to Media Corporation, Tulalip, Wash. Yanity contacted Solomon, a been infringed would over- well-known carver who has launch a class- whelm the lawsuit. Writer & Copy Editor: Sarah E. Smith, Red Hummingbird researched the river canoe in Ottawa raised similar action suit over Media Corporation, Tulalip, Wash. regional and national muse- objections and argued the damage to wild Layout and Design: evidence failed to establish ums. Thinkmill, Bellingham, Wash. At Solomon’s house on salmon adverse impacts on wild the Lummi reservation, the (From the Vancouver Sun) salmon stocks attributable to men carved the 22-foot ca- First Nations have won the sea lice contamination from noe, which Barbara Broth- right to launch a class-action continued on back page »

15 The Paddler « continued from previous page fish farms. The tribe calls the watershed, Steh-Chass, life habitat, and sawmills and agriculture In addition, the two governments which means “rock.” have contributed to the degradation of wa- said the complications involved in decid- The tribe intends its work to be useful ter quality. In 2007 the Cowichan Basin Wa- ing what rights the native people enjoyed by any local government or organization tershed Management Plan was completed. would make the damages phase of the that wants to take on a piece of restor- “The goals of the board are related to case interminable. B.C. Supreme Court ing the inlet. “Anyone should be able to water conservation, ensuring an adequate Justice Harry Slade disagreed and said the pick up this document and use it to finish water supply, ensuring healthy ecosystems lawsuit should be certified and allowed to a piece of the puzzle,” Steltzner told Em- and ensuring biodiversity,” said Rodger proceed. mett O’Connell, information officer for the Hunter, the Cowichan Watershed Board The Court Ruling is available here: Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission . coordinator. “Ensuring that there is flood www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/ “To really clean up Budd Inlet will take ev- management, in the broader sense as op- SC/10/16/2010BCSC1699.htm. eryone’s involvement, so we wanted to cre- posed to flood protection; and protecting ate as open a solution as possible.” cultural access because of the rich First Na- tion culture in the watershed, while plan- Squaxin Island Tribe recycles Cowichan Tribes and other ning for sustainable development.” For science to help the Salish governments work together information about the Cowichan Water- Sea’s Budd Inlet shed Board, and the watershed, visit www. to protect watershed cowichanwatershedboard.ca The Squaxin Island Tribe on the southern end of the Salish Sea has reviewed ev- Formed nearly one year ago, the Co- Nisqually Land Trust buys ery technical report, assessment and ac- wichan Watershed Board that advocates tion plan written in the last two decades for the management and preservation of and restores land about the Budd Inlet, and developed a sim- the waters in the Cowichan Valley Basin In 2010, the Nisqually Land Trust acquired ple, searchable database in the hope that on Vancouver Island is made up of the Co- 660 acres of superior wildlife habitat in the more restoration projects will occur in this wichan Tribes and local, British Columbia Nisqually River watershed for protection urban Olympia, Wash., watershed. and Canadian officials. and preservation, and planted over 50,000 When the Squaxin Island Tribe recent- The co-chairs of the board are Chief native trees and shrubs. Since its founding ly decided to revisit the studies, biologist Lydia Hwitsum of the Cowichan Tribes and in 1989, the Land Trust has permanently Scott Steltzner found that none in the four- Mayor Rob Hutchins of Ladysmith, B.C., conserved nearly 3,500 acres. foot tall pile yielded an overarching resto- and the board also includes Darin George, The Nisqually, a river southeast of the ration strategy. All contained good ideas a Council member of the Cowichan Tribes, Salish Sea, is protected in its headwaters by for restoration, ideas that were rarely if and Don Radford, area director of the South Mount Rainier National Park and its delta ever enacted. So Squaxin Island created a Coast for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The is protected by the Nisqually National Wild- data base, one that could be accessed using board’s mandate is to provide leadership life Refuge, which is visible from Interstate Excel spread sheets and help local govern- for water management to protect environ- 5 north of Olympia, Wash. It runs through ments, civic groups, even neighborhoods mental quality and the quality of life for the reservation of the Nisqually Tribe that identify restoration projects that fit both 30,000 human residents in the watershed, gives the river its name. their priorities, and their budgets. while also restoring the runs of Chinook The Nisqually Land Trust is unique “This isn’t a straight up and down list of and other salmon to ensure the Cowichan among land trusts for seeking to own con- priority projects, but rather a way to find Tribes’ right to fish. servation lands outright. To date it has the project that’s right for a particular bud- The watershed stretches from the permanently protected 74 percent of the get or effort,” Steltzner said. “If you have 32-mile-long Cowichan Lake in the west river’s salmon-producing shoreline, said $25,000 and want to restore a shoreline, we down the winding Cowichan River, which President George Walter. As landowner, the can find a project for you. Or, if you have B.C. declared a Provincial Heritage River in Trust seeks to restore contiguous lands for wanted to do a project that benefits shore- 2006, to the Salish Sea on the east coast of the benefit of threatened and at-risk spe- birds or forage fish, this tool can help you Vancouver Island. The Cowichan estuary is cies, which include Chinook salmon, steel- develop a strategy.” one of the most important in B.C., provid- head, northern spotted owls, marbled mur- Problems facing Budd Inlet include ur- ing habitat for 230 bird species and rear- relets, bald eagles, northern goshawks, pi- banization that destroyed salmon rearing ing habitat for four salmon and three trout leated woodpeckers and peregrine falcons. habitat, and water quality problems. For species. Learn more about the Nisqually Land the Squaxin Island Tribe, located west of It has also been home to Cowichan for Trust at www.nisquallylandtrust.org. Olympia, this urban inlet is central to its millennia. The influx of urban and subur- treaty-reserved rights to natural resources. ban development has encroached on wild-