ɬaʔamɩn (Tla’amin) Nation is leading this project to complement habitat restoration efforts in the lower toqʷanən (Theodosia) River through collaborative planning and watershed assessment activities.
The ɬaʔamɩn Nation harvests salmon from the toqʷanən watershed, a 140 km2 core river system in the ɬaʔamɩn giȷ̌ɛ (territory), situated approximately 30 km north of Powell River in the qathet Regional District. The watershed has been impacted by logging, a water diversion to generate electricity, and climate change, resulting in a decline of salmon abundance.
The project will increase understanding of current conditions in the toqʷanən watershed by reviewing existing information and filling gaps regarding hydrology; fish flow requirements; flow regime; sediment transport; water quantity, quality and storage; diversion infrastructure; and water license requirements. It will also develop defensible, feasible, and actionable pathways for the rewatering of toqʷanən river and provide recommendations to decision-making groups to increase climate resiliency, food security and cultural wellbeing within the territory while supporting salmon and ɬaʔamɩn qayɛmɩxʷ (Tla’amin people). The ɬaʔamɩn Nation will facilitate respectful and productive dialogue with water users and government partners. At the same time, a technical working group will oversee the project and provide training for Nation members.
“The toqʷanən watershed is the heart of Tla’amin territory—its main artery is called xʷətʔaʔmanən, meaning ‘the river that is a door to our territory.’ Logging, un-checked water use, and a recent landslide have damaged these lands, but it’s not too late to begin healing. toqʷanən was—and still is—the first stop in our fishing season and its chum used to be so large they had to be cooked around the fire because they would fall in the smokehouse. This rewatering project is part of our work to bring back the legendary large salmon that have sustained us since time immemorial and now need our help. With this effort, we’re helping to rebuild our terminal run chum, coho and chinook, so future generations can once again witness their abundance.”
— Callum Galligos, Executive Councillor, Lands, Tla’amin Nation
