The Canadian Wildlife Federation was honored to be invited to participate in the very first He Sqyéytn (Salmon) Festival this fall in the beautiful community of Shulus, British Columbia.

The event, organized by the Lower Nicola Indian Band’s Land Guardians, was held to honour traditional foods and harvesting methods and to celebrate salmon as a cultural keystone. CWF shared information with the community about our work with the Lower Nicola Indian Band and others on fish passage planning and restoration work in the Lower Nicola watershed. We also introduced CWF’s new CanFishPass citizen science app and other educational resources. The festival coincided with the fall equinox / solstice period.

The Lower Nicola Indian Band is part of the Nłeʔkepmxc Nation (pronounced Ng-khla-kap-muhx). The word “Nłeʔkepmxc” means “People of the Creek.” 

Strengthening Relationships

CWF Fish Passage Biologist Betty Rebellato and Conservation Planner Sarah Sra provide information and handouts at the CWF booth.

CWF partnered with the Lower Nicola Indian Band to remove a defunct irrigation dam on Clapperton Creek in the summer of 2024. The barrier was replaced with two fish-passable rock steps to enhance deep pool habitat in the stream while supporting fish passage for all species and life stages. Working together with support from the Pacific Salmon Commission Southern Fund, we restored year-round access to 2.6 kilometres of habitat in Nłeʔkepmxc (Nlaka’pamux) territory.

This project was also made possible in part by funding provided by the Province of British Columbia and Fisheries and Oceans Canada through the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund.

Learning About Salmon and Festival Highlights

Lower Nicola Indian Band guardians guide a participant through a dip net demonstration. True to the genuine experience, the participant is anchored to “shore” using a rope to prevent them falling in the river, while balancing on uneven ground. The dip netter must navigate operating the long pole while safely bringing the thrashing salmon – simulated by a rubber boot and a rope to shake the net in this demonstration – to shore.

The 2025 salmon festival, held September 20 and 21, featured hand drum ceremonies, an Elder prayer and presentations on drying, smoking and canning salmon, as well as gill net making. There were also dip net and rod and reel activities, a performance by Bear Dancers and a salmon feast!

The gathering was held at the Shulus Arbor on the Lower Nicola Indian Band reserve. Traditional games, contests, local vendors and cultural activities for all ages made this event special. CWF was pleased to help celebrate the foods that have sustained people for generations.

Looking Ahead

CWF Fish Passage Biologist Betty Rebellato and Conservation Planner Sarah Sra provide information and handouts at the CWF booth.

The He Sqyéytn (Salmon) Festival is intended to become an annual celebration, continuing to honour salmon and strengthen cultural and ecological connections in the region. Organizers have expressed interest in building on the success of this year’s event to make it a lasting tradition, bringing people together each fall to celebrate salmon, traditional foods, and community stewardship.

For CWF, this aligns closely with ongoing efforts to support continued restoration work, deepen partnerships with Indigenous communities, and inspire greater public engagement in salmon.

Learn more about our work breaking down fish barriers >

Authors: Betty Rebellato and Sarah Sra