Revitalizing Weir Building to Advance Gitga’at Sovereignty and Community-based Monitoring for Climate Resilient Salmon in the Quaal Watershed
Gitga'at First Nation
Photo: The Narwhal “Bring Back Indigenous Fishing Systems”
The Gitga’at Nation has stewarded salmon in the Quaal River watershed since time immemorial, making it a cultural keystone despite disruptions from colonization. Rebuilding weirs in the Quaal and Kitkiata Rivers is a crucial step to revitalize ancient harvest systems, reconnect with ancestral homes, and assert sovereignty over territory for sustainable fisheries. Climate change and anthropogenic stressors pose risks to salmon populations in Gitga’at Territory, exacerbated by the lack of local monitoring. Combining weir building with computer-vision and machine learning tools, the project aims to enhance real-time monitoring, partnering with Simon Fraser Computing Sciences, the Wild Salmon Center, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation. This initiative supports watershed stewardship, enables traditional practices, trains local Gitga’at weir technicians, and strengthens community connections to land, culture, and traditions. Installing a video weir in the Quaal River will empower Gitga’at-led fisheries management by providing reliable in-season information for decision-makers and enhancing opportunities for Gitga’at members.
CATEGORY
Watershed Monitoring and Assessment
WATERSHED(S)
North & Central Coast
GRANT AMOUNT
$ 290,000
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The Narwhal featuring the Git'ga’at First Nation “Want to save B.C. salmon? Bring back Indigenous fishing systems”
