Issuu

THE RUNNER

Sq’eptset Syoyes Sth’o’th’eqwi

July 2022 • Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

Fishers working together

The Runner • July 2022

staﬀ & contributors

Murray Ned Executive Director Rosalie Hope Program Manager Barry Joyce Program Coordinator Aidan Fisher LFFA Biologist Manager Ian Hamilton Habitat Restoration Biologist Ashlee Prevost Staﬀ Biologist Janice Kwo Staﬀ Biologist Caytlyn McFadden Resource Management Coordinator Eden Toth Communications and Projects Advisor Gillian Fuss Emergency Planning Secretariat Coordinator Maggie Mazurkewich Emergency Planning Secretariat Outreach Assistant Leah Ballantyne RELAW Coordinator Donald B. Simpson LFE Inc. and LFE-LP, Economic Development Manager

EDITORIAL POLICY The Runner newsletter is produced quarterly by the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance. Our purpose is to inform readers about LFFA organization processes, developments and news. We will gladly accept signed comments, questions and opinions about our newsletter and will consider withholding contributor’s name if desired.

Individual articles from The Runner may be reprinted, photocopied or redistributed with permission from The Runner provided the date of publication and source of the material is indicated. Please notify The Runner if you would like to reprint an article. All community members are welcome to contribute thoughts, articles and letters to The Runner.

Submissions and letters should be send to: The Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance 3092 Sumas Mountain Road Abbotsford, BC V3G 2J2 Phone: 778.847.3323 Email: communications@lﬀa.ca Publication is not guaranteed.

Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

in this issue 04 06 07 08 11 12 14

Message from the Executive Director Fishery Management Updates Lower Fraser Enterprises LP Selective Fishing Project Emergency Planning Secretariat Revitalizing Indigenous Law Project Employment Opportunity

ABOUT THE RUNNER In the old days there was a house on the top of Chilliwack Mountain facing down-river. The man who lived there had only one job; to watch for two silver bands on both sides of the river; millions of oolichan arriving. His job then was to run down the mountain to spread the word to other runners. People would come from near and far each year. The Runner endeavors to do this job once again, albeit electronically. -Ken Malloway, LFFA Chair

The Runner • July 2022

Message from the Executive Director Our LFFA team and family continues to grow and as expected this is generally in the resource management, habitat and restoration and technical capacities. The major reduction in annual Fraser River salmon returns has resulted in Governments, Nations and NGOs focus on recovery and rebuilding. The salmon crisis is at least 4 decades in the making and it’s no surprise that harvest has taken a back seat to conservation until we can see the populations rebound. I have often said that if it took 4 to 5 decades to destroy the various salmon species and stocks that it is going to take at least that amount of time to recover fully. Our biologist and technical team will likely double this year and will require additional office space. Sumas First Nation has made their former day care and preschool building available to the LFFA. It is an older building, but it will be renovated to bring it up to office quality standards, which will accommodate our expected growth for a few years. However, anything beyond that may require a new location and perhaps a new building if we are fortunate enough to make that happen. Most of our staff continue to work from home but we are looking forward moving into the ‘new’ office some time in July and resuming resident office life again post Covid 19. Hybrid meetings that are inclusive of in person and webinar access seem to be the preferred options for leadership. It is not ideal, as one technical or wifi issue can complicate access for those that are online as well as those that are in person. Our staff will continue to build upon the lessons learned and the technology available to make this a seamless transition for all LFFA Forums. The June AGM and Forum went well but we are still working out some of the

logistics to ensure there is limited interruption to the scheduled time and agenda. 2022 was also the year for Executive Committee (EC) renewal at the AGM and there has been little change to the EC complement with exception to the addition of Rod Peters, Seabird Island Band. These are four year appointments which will be renewed again in 2026. I am grateful for the ECs leadership and diverse expertise that is imperative in terms of leading the success and longevity of the LFFA organization. The operations are now $3 to $4 million annually and as a Non Profit organization with numerous projects in play it’s so important to have committed individuals. In November 2021, the Lower Fraser, Princeton, and Merritt encountered atmospheric rains and flood events that destroyed or altered fish habitat in many of the Fraser River and tributaries. Federal and Provincial Flood Recovery and Build Back Better initiatives have been triggered but it has not been clear how First Nations or organizations like LFFA can support the fish and aquatic habitat, debris clean up and contaminants (soil & water quality) activities. Our staff continue to monitor the various government ministries work but it is still unclear how the federal ($5 billion) and provincial ($1.8 billion) investment will proceed. LFFA is working with several Lower Fraser First Nation organizations such as the Emergency Planning Secretariat, First Nations Health Authority and Sohl Temexw Stewardship Alliance to partition out the workload to best serve the Nations. There is ongoing Tier 1, 2 and 3 engagements to help facilitate that but climate change and environmental conditions are continuing to change, and we need to support

Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

the Nations who want to lead and collaborate with government on these initiatives. Our business lines and areas of focus continue to be reﬂective of the LFFA Strategic Plan and we continue to strive to support and rebuild salmon populations with Nations to ensure there are ﬁsh for future generations. The First Nation traditions and cultural connectivity to the salmon and Fraser River are relying heavily on today’s leaders. Extinction is not an option. With Respect and In Unity,

Murray Ned | Kwilostintun Executive Director Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

The Runner • July 2022

Fishery Management Updates Aidan Fisher, Biologist Manager Sockeye update The current expectation is a moderate return of Fraser sockeye compared to previous Adams-dominant cycle years. There is an expectation for a decent sockeye directed FSC fishery, and potential for EO fisheries. The Fraser Panel pre-season model does have many commercial fisheries planned in the US and Canada, in addition to recreational fisheries in the marine approach and in-river. As usual, the Fraser sockeye fishery is managed extensively in-season with multiple Fraser River Panel calls and technical committee calls weekly. This season I will be writing up a brief summary of the Fraser Panel calls on Fridays for distribution. Chinook update Fraser chinook, and chinook directed fishery expectations have shifted compared to previous years. Due to the expectation for substantial sockeye-directed FSC fisheries, nearly all the impact DFO has identified for Lower Fraser First Nations is taken. DFO has slightly shifted their chinook planning tool, used to project impact from the Lower Fraser FSC fishery on Fraser chinook stocks of concern. The LFFA technical staff are generally supportive of the changes, in order to better represent the Lower Fraser FSC fisheries in planning. The challenge we are facing is the lack of action being taken in marine approach recreational fisheries, and their estimated impact on those same Fraser chinook that FSC fisheries are limited on.

DFO has not meaningfully changed any marine approach recreational chinook fisheries management since 2019. In previous years (preseason for 2020 and 2021), they have not had post-season data to compare the projected impact and the observed impact. This season, DFO does have access to post-season data to compare the projected and planned impact on Fraser chinook stocks of conservation concern. Despite observing impact on stocks much higher than projected and planned, DFO has not taken any action in reducing impact by the marine recreational fishery and in some areas has expanded the south coast chinook recreational fishery to include new retention fisheries in the marine approach. We have remained very critical of DFO’s lack of consistency in south coast chinook management, specifically on their interpretation of Aboriginal Priority access for FSC fisheries.

Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

Lower Fraser Fisheries Inc. and Lower Fraser Fisheries Enterprises Limited Partnership (CFE Update) Don Simpson, LFE Inc. and LFE-LP Economic Development Manager Own-Sourced-Revenue (OSR) is slowly progressing with the May 2022 successful creation of the Lower Fraser Fisheries Inc. (LFF Inc.) and the Lower Fraser Fisheries Enterprises Limited Partnership (LFFE-LP). Both of which constitutes the new Commercial Fishing Enterprise (CFE) that the LFFA Society has been pursuing since 2014. These are distinctive from the original Lower Fraser Enterprises Inc. (2019) and LP that was struct in 2019 for the LFFA Society to begin its journey toward OSR in partnering with the Sth’oqi Aquaculture Limited Partnership (SALP) Tilapia Farm back in 2019. The CFE development process continued to be drastically aﬀected by COVID-19 Provincial Health Orders (PHO) from both an administration perspective as well as community engagement. The good news is LFE-LP was granted a Contribution Agreement for Capacity Building and CFE structure development for a second year in April 2022. Moreover, PICFI has oﬀered a second modest Halibut Quota Access opportunity to support the CFE Operational Capacity and Business Development processes for 2022-2023. Business Plans and HR Plans have been developed and submitted in May 2022 to trigger both Business Development Source (BDS) and Capacity Building Source (CBS)

funding for 2022-2023 fiscal year. There have been discussions this spring to amend and develop multi-year Business Plans to capture short, mid, and long-term aspects of the new CFE. LFFE-LP aspires for a diverse mix of both Access (quota and licences) and non-Access (assets, equipment, buildings, and HR capacity) to explore and initiate over the next several years. While LFFE-LP is looking forward to establishing short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies for the Lower Fraser Fisheries Enterprises Inc. and its Limited Partner the Lower Fraser Fisheries Enterprises LP for this year and into the future, it also seeks to expand to include many Indigenous Communities who remain eligible to join the CFE and are currently reviewing the opportunity. LFF Inc. and LFFE-LP are now one of twenty-nine (29) CFEs in the Pacific Region and are on the regional CFE Hub with hopes to explore opportunities to work with other CFEs for mutual benefits. Staff and Director capacities will be the focus on growth in 2022-2023 as the new CFE gains momentum in establishing a strong core and multiple Business relationships.

The Runner • July 2022

Selective Fishing Project Caytlyn McFadden, Resource Management Coordinator The focus of the BCSRIF Selective Fishing project this year is the construction and piloting of various types of selective fishing gear. To prepare for piloting during the 2022 fishing season, from April to June, LFFA staff worked on finalizing Fishing Plans for Katzie, Kwantlen, Ts’elxweyeqw-Semath, and Fraser Mainstem.

These plans include details such as the gear type being piloted, species that will be targeted, locations for trying out various gear types, and timelines for keeping the projects on track. To date, plans include piloting a ﬁsh wheel in the Upper Pitt River, a ﬁsh trap below Pitt Lake,

Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

a ﬁsh wheel or trap in the Stave River, a mobile weir in the Chilliwack River, and a bag net ﬁshery in the Fraser Mainstem. A mobile weir was fabricated this winter and crews will begin testing the installation of it throughout the summer in advance of piloting. Crew Leads and Field Techs will be hired to assist with the

projects throughout the summer and fall. Anyone interested in being involved can contact Caytlyn McFadden (Caytlyn.mcfadden@lffa.ca) for more details on the positions or to apply. The Selective fishing team has also been engaging with West Coast Environmental Law (WCEL) to determine how the information from the LFFA RELAW project can be put into practice through this project. This has involved strategic planning meetings between WCEL and LFFA to determine goals, priorities, and visions for working together. LFFA staff have also taken part in WCEL’s RELAW co-learning program throughout 2021-22 which concluded with a weeklong co-learning retreat in June 2022. Next steps for the project include working on permits for installing gear, applying for fishing licenses, and working with UBC’s Centre for Indigenous Fisheries to develop study designs and data collection plans to have in place once fishing begins.

Pictured left: Heiltsuk Nation's Koeye River Fish Weir, which was toured by the LFFA team in July

TheRunner Runner••July January The 20222021

Terrestrial Cumulative Effects and Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project Funding Opportunities 2022 - 2024 Background The Terrestrial Cumulative Effects Initiative (TCEI) and Aquatic Habitat Restoration Fund (AHRF) are accommodation measures developed to respond to concerns raised by Indigenous groups during consultations on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project. Currently, both initiatives are accepting submissions for funding from eligible Indigenous groups, see below for initiative-specific information. For each accommodation measure, eligible Indigenous groups have the flexibility to choose if funding is put towards a single project, multiple smaller projects, contributed towards a joint project with other eligible Indigenous groups, or split in some form between individual or joint projects.

Terrestrial Cumulative Effects Initiative

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Natural Resources Canada

The TCEI provides funding for capacity building and Indigenous-led cumulative effects projects in mainland freshwater and terrestrial environments. Each eligible Indigenous group has access to a base allocation of $300,000 for project funding if they meet basic screening criteria and submit a proposal by Oct. 31, 2022. Base allocations that are not accessed by October 31, 2022 will be placed in a flexible funding envelope that may be accessed by all TCEI-eligible groups, including those that have already received the base allocation. For information on program objectives, eligibility, potential projects, and upcoming key dates, please contact the TCEI inbox: iecttcei@ec.gc.ca

Aquatic Habitat Restoration Fund Fisheries and Oceans Canada

The AHRF provides funding for capacity building and Indigenous-led aquatic habitat restoration projects in freshwater, estuarine and marine environments. Each eligible Indigenous group has access to project funding: a base allocation of $500,000 for communities in the Marine region, or a base allocation of $250,000 + access to pooled funding for communities in the Fraser region. AHRFeligible groups must meet minimum submission requirements and submit proposals by the initial intake deadline of January 1, 2023 for base allocations and/or November 1, 2022 for pooled funding (Fraser region only). Funding that is not accessed by January 1, 2023 will be placed in a flexible funding envelope that may be accessed by all AHRF-eligible groups, including those that have already received the base (and/or pooled) allocation. For information on program objectives, eligibility, potential projects, and upcoming key dates, please contact the AHRF inbox: dfo.ahrf-fhra.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

Emergency Planning Secretariat Maggie Mazurkewich, Outreach Assistant First Nations Emergency Planning Secretariat The EPS team is pleased to announce that we

We are also very grateful for the participation of

have added two additional staﬀ to our roster to

over 140 representatives from regional Coast

provide additional supports.

Salish Nations, Local Authorities, Provincial and Federal governments in the region. We will

These two new staﬀ members are here to

provide a report back soon with next steps

support communities in planning and responding

based on conversations that were had with all

to emergencies, so please feel free to reach out

those present. There will be continued

to them anytime, and they will be reaching out

opportunities to collaborate and move these

to you soon to set up a meeting:

discussions forward into regional action that supports balanced decision making and priorities

Debbie Combes, the new Emergency Programs Coordinator, can be reached at Debbie.Combes@emplans.ca Dianne Garner, the new Emergency Capacity Coordinator, can be reached at Dianne.garner@emplans.ca On July 14, 2022, EPS Chair and Sto:lo Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil, in partnership with Fraser Valley Regional District and City of Chilliwack Chair Jason Lum, convened a meeting to discuss foundational principles for a regional collaborative strategy to rebuild after the devastating ﬂoods in the fall/winter of 2021. We are very grateful for the coordination support provided by agency partners including Watershed Watch, Resilient Waters, West Coast Environmental Law, Ebbwater Consulting, Farmland Advantage, Kerr Wood Leidal Consulting, UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Shift Collaborative.

based on these shared principles.

The Runner • July 2022

Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water (RELAW) Project Update Rayanna Seymour-Hourie, RELAW lawyer The LFFA-RELAW Project is the weaving together of

3. Continue to go out to community to share this

what we learned from the stories, both

work to raise awareness (canoe races, ﬁrst salmon

sxwōxwiyám / sxʷəxʷəyém and sqwélqwel /

ceremonies)

sqʷelqʷəl as well as Elder’s knowledge, about Indigenous laws related to watershed management

4. Enable more elder and youth knowledge

and ﬁsheries governance in the Lower Fraser.

transmission.

The RELAW Project (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for

We continue to bring the legal principles /

Land, Air and Water) at LFFA is continuing its work

teachings that arose from the synthesis titled

with the team members providing advice,

Revitalizing Indigenous Law with the Lower Fraser

communications and public legal education

Fisheries Alliance: Legal Traditions of the Peoples of

strategic support, as well as spreading awareness

the Lower Fraser (2021) into our RELAW approach.

of the words of elders of the Lower Fraser, and the teachings embedded in stories.

Key events and planning initiatives that happened between April-July 2022 have been:

During community engagement in the Spring, we heard from elders and ﬁshers that our RELAW

• Appearance in the Globe and Mail in an April

project should:

editorial article titled Restoring Sumas Lake is an important step in B.C ﬂood recovery, climate

1. Bring out the truth and awareness of why there

action and reconciliation co-authored by the Lower

are ﬁsh scarcity issues, while:

Fraser Working Group.

• using archival footage in communications and educational materials

• RELAW attended the May LFFA strategic Planning

• including maps in our work and materials

session to present on the RELAW work to hear

• additional names of elders to interview

back on direction (May 2022).

2. Increase awareness on ﬁshing methods:

• Oﬃcially began the collaboration of RELAW and

• Include diﬀerent methods of ﬁshing in research

LFFA’s Selective Fisheries Project, to weave RELAW

and educational materials while answering – why

into the plans of LFFA’s selective ﬁsheries projects

do people ﬁsh the way they do, why there?

and support in re-establishing First Nations presence

Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

on the water and in their fishing locations (began early May 2022). • The RELAW program offered its third and final retreat for the RELAW co-learning program of 2021-22, in which LFFA staff (Caytlyn part of cohort 2021-22) have been participating in since 2019. • In July, the LFFA selective fisheries-RELAW team is beginning research into archival footage and materials to pull more photos and content. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Rayanna Seymour-Hourie at rseymour@wcel.org if you want to participate in this project or learn more.

Pictured right: Coqualeetza Focus Group and RELAW artwork.

The Runner • July 2022

Employment Opportunity Job Title: Location: Term: Start date: Wage: Reports to:

Crew Lead 3092 Sumas Mountain Rd, Abbotsford, BC Full-time temporary position starting ASAP to November 30, 2022. ASAP $26.50/hr, 7-10 hrs per day. Fisheries Project Coordinator

BACKGROUND: The Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance (LFFA) currently comprised of thirty First Nation communities from the mouth of the Fraser River to the Fraser Canyon of which twenty-three are signatories to the LFFA Society. The organization is guided by an Executive Committee who is directed by the leadership of the Lower Fraser First Nations. The LFFA is in an exciting stage of development that advocates and supports collaboration of First Nation communities, leaders and their members. In 2021, LFFA received funding for a selective fishing project. The goal of this project is to pilot selective fishing gear in the Fraser River and its tributaries through applying traditional First Nations methods in historic and modern ways. Through these methods we hope to expand First Nations access to their constitutionally protected communal fisheries (food, social, and ceremonial [FSC] and Economic Opportunity [EO]). The Selective Fishing project is intended to support re-establishment of fisheries access methods that have been historically displaced. Over the past decade Fraser mainstem fisheries access by Lower Fraser First Nations has continued to be restricted. This project intends to showcase a select few fisheries from the wide variety of historic fishing methods by Lower Fraser First Nations that could be implemented.

BASIC FUNCTIONS: The LFFA is seeking to hire Crew Leads to assist in the coordination and implementation of the selective fishing project. Crew Leads will be based out of the main LFFA office in Abbotsford, with work happening throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Each Crew Lead will be focused on a particular community/project and will provide logistical and technical support to the Fisheries Project Coordinator. This will include assisting with fieldwork and project implementation, such as: 1. Assisting in the construction of selective fishing gear; 2. Installing and testing various selective fishing gear methods; 3. Following specific scientific protocols for data collection in the field (DNA samples, catch data, etc.; 4. Data management, synthesis, and analysis as required; 5. Working with communities to hire and train fisheries technicians;

Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

6. Writing field reports; 7. Research and reporting on gear efficiency; 8. Participating in meetings as required (either virtual or in person depending on Covid-19 protocols); 9. Ensuring safe work conditions when leading a team in the field; and 10. Work on other projects as required.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:! Completion of High School; Knowledge of fish species in the Lower Fraser River; Experience working outdoors, in a variety of conditions; Comfortable working near water, specifically, experience with river or stream systems; Ability to work independently without supervision and in a team environment where mutual support is essential; Demonstrated ability to think critically and troubleshoot in the field; Knowledge of First Nations organizations and communities in the Lower Fraser; Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with First Nations communities and service providers; Demonstrated interpersonal skills that promote mutually beneficial and respectful professional relationships;! Ability to coordinate other field workers and crew members;! Professional commitment, flexibility, good problem and dispute resolution skills;! Computer literacy on Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Suite, and other computer software; Valid Class 5 B.C. Driver’s License required; Ability to lift minimum 50lbs. Ability to travel independently to worksites; Criminal Records Check required; and Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.

ADDITIONAL ASSETS:! Post-Secondary education in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Fisheries management, or Wildlife management. Previous experience in a similar position. Demonstrated ability in data collection and management. Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal and team building skills. Application Deadline: June 17, 2022, or until filled. Interested candidates should submit their resume and references to: Caytlyn McFadden E mail: "#$%&$'()*+#,,-' @lffa.ca Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Preference is given to persons of Aboriginal ancestry as per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code.