A new fish passage constructed by the Syilx Nation, in collaboration with the City of Penticton, the province, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), has enabled sockeye salmon to return to their traditional spawning grounds in B.C.’s Okanagan region after more than a century. Known as the Okanagan Dam Fish Passage, this passageway bypasses a dam in Okanagan Lake, facilitating the migration of various salmon species like steelhead, rainbow trout, chinook, and kokanee salmon through the Columbia River into the lake and its tributaries.
Funding for this initiative was sourced from the Habitat Conservation Plan, which is part of a larger strategy associated with the Priest Rapids hydroelectric project in Washington State, aimed at supporting the restoration of salmon and steelhead habitats. According to the Pacific Salmon Commission, sockeye salmon typically spawn from August to late October, and members of the Sylix community anticipate the initial salmon migration into the area in the coming weeks.
The migration route for the salmon involves traveling from the Pacific Ocean to Okanagan Lake through the Columbia River, which is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest, spanning through B.C., Washington State, and Oregon. The salmon will navigate through nine hydroelectric dams as they journey towards Sylix territory.
Established in 1981, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), a council comprising seven First Nations in B.C., has been actively engaged in restoring Sylix traditions, culture, and governance, leading numerous fish restoration projects over the years. During the opening ceremony of the passageway on August 18, Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel emphasized the historical importance of the salmon’s return to the region.
Zoe Eyjolfson, the ONA salmon passage project lead, highlighted the detrimental impact of dams built in the Okanagan watershed since 1914, causing significant habitat loss and pushing salmon to the brink of extinction. She expressed optimism that the cool waters of the Okanagan will serve as a sanctuary for salmon to regenerate their populations.
Salmon, or ntytyix in the Syilx language, hold sacred significance to the Syilx people, symbolizing a connection to their environment and culture. The return of salmon signifies a profound moment of environmental and cultural restoration for the community. Elder Leon Louis from Lower Similkameen Indian Band emphasized the crucial role of salmon in sustaining not only his community but all people.
Eyjolfson reflected on the emotional significance of witnessing the passageway’s opening, envisioning a future where generations to come will witness the return of salmon to their historical waters, marking a significant milestone for the region’s ecosystem and cultural heritage.