2008 Riversheds Forum

Under Education & Engagement the 2008 Riversheds Forum was developed in collaboration with the Stellat’en First Nation under the theme “Sustainability From a First Nations Perspective” and held at Francois and Fraser Lakes, BC. Stellat’en First Nation Elder, Mary Casimel, welcomed the group to traditional First Nation territory. The RSBC values salmon as a highly-valued public good and developed the annual Riversheds Forum to bring together Fraser River Basin community leaders (stewards, educators, First Nations and government) to share ideas, learn about effective stewardship and sustainability and strategize on how to work together effectively. Members of the community we are in are also invited to participate. The Forum provided participants a direct experience with nature through a guided field trip of the “Stellaqou” Territory including the local museum and a hike of Mouse Mountain where participants explored the local landscape and learned about local First Nations history. Participants and speakers integrated arts and cultural expression through their “Rivershed Story” presentations; stories about their rivershed, stewardship activities, challenges, highlights or areas of interest. Stories were presented verbally, by videotape (e.g. taped environmental educational puppet show), with maps (i.e. current versus historic watershed and fish population comparisons), artistic fish clothing, poetry and slideshows. “Rivershed Stories” and presentations allowed participants to learn about a variety of innovative conservation and stewardship initiatives and concepts from around the Fraser River Basin from site-specific to regional projects. Keynote presentations included talks on sustainability indicators being developed for the Upper Fraser region and the ecological impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle in the Fraser’s interior. Forum participants shared an evening with the Stellat’en First Nation at their community hall including dinner, a number of presentations, videos, a performance by the Band’s youth drum group, dancing and other activities to get to know each other.