Ellie Kinley shares a personal and urgent account of how open-net fish farms in British Columbia threaten the survival of wild salmon and Indigenous lifeways in the Salish Sea.
This powerful short film traces the ongoing struggle of Native fishing nations to defend their treaty rights, from the Fish Wars of the 1960s to present-day protests, affirming fishing as a sovereign right and cultural lifeline.
Interwoven reflections from Indigenous leaders reveal the spiritual, ecological, and political relationships between salmon and people, urging collective responsibility to restore balance and ensure the salmon’s survival for future generations.
This short film explores the cultural and ecological importance of sockeye salmon and reef net fishing to the Lummi Nation, highlighting the deep ties between fishing traditions, family lineage, and Indigenous identity.
The video highlights the connection between the loss of traditions, like salmon fishing, and the rise of chemical dependency in Tribal communities, emphasizing the speaker's efforts to restore health and purpose through cultural and spiritual renewal.
Shawn Yanity recalls a short version of one of his cultural stories. This story describes the importance of having Salmon Ceremonies, honoring the salmon and honoring the river.
S'Klallam and Lummi Tribal member Elaine Grinnell captivates us with her singing and storytelling, sharing life lessons like the whale story and the salmon story, which explains the origin of the salmon's hooked nose.
Native Sciences & Technology, Sovereignty/Governance, Ways of Life
Summary
The Scha'nexw Elhtal'nexw Salmon People teaching guide is an instructional resource that provides middle and high school teachers with the necessary information to understand and teach the film.
