In a significant environmental achievement, Sockeye salmon have made a remarkable return to their traditional spawning areas in the Okanagan region of British Columbia after more than a century. This milestone was made possible through the construction of a new fish passageway by the Syilx Nation, in collaboration with the City of Penticton, the provincial government, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Known as the Okanagan Dam Fish Passage, this structure bypasses a dam in Okanagan Lake and is designed to facilitate the migration of various fish species like steelhead, rainbow trout, sockeye, chinook, and kokanee salmon into the lake and its tributaries through the Columbia River. The project received funding under the Habitat Conservation Plan, which is part of a larger initiative linked to the Priest Rapids hydroelectric project in Washington State aimed at restoring salmon and steelhead habitats.
Sockeye salmon typically spawn from August to late October, and members of the Sylix community anticipate the initial salmon migration into the region in the coming weeks. The salmon will travel from the Pacific Ocean to Okanagan Lake via the Columbia River, which is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest, traversing through British Columbia, Washington state, and Oregon, passing nine hydroelectric dams before reaching Sylix territory.
Established in 1981, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) is a First Nations tribal council comprising seven First Nations with territory spanning from north of Revelstoke to Washington state. The ONA is dedicated to reviving Sylix traditions, culture, and governance and has been at the forefront of various fish restoration projects.
During the opening ceremony of the passageway on August 18, Chief Greg Gabriel of the Penticton Indian Band emphasized the historical significance of salmon migration in the region, highlighting the importance of creating a pathway for the salmon to continue their journey as they did centuries ago.
Zoe Eyjolfson, the ONA salmon passage project lead, pointed out that the construction of dams in the Okanagan watershed since 1914 had led to significant habitat loss and brought salmon populations to the brink of extinction. She expressed optimism that the cool waters of the Okanagan will serve as a sanctuary for salmon to rebuild their numbers.
Salmon, or ntytyix in the Syilx language, hold sacred importance for the Syilx people, symbolizing not just a resource but family members whose return signifies a profound reconnection with the environment and cultural healing. Elder Leon Louis from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band highlighted the universal significance of salmon, emphasizing their role in nourishing all people, not just a specific community.
Eyjolfson described the opening of the passageway as a deeply fulfilling moment, envisioning a future where generations to come will witness the return of salmon to their ancestral waters, marking a poignant and hopeful day for the community.