Guardians of the Streams: Gitxaala Monitoring Young Salmon in a Changing Climate
Changes in salmon species and the streams they use have been observed by Gitxaala guardians during regular stream walks. To better understand these shifts and respond to climate pressures such as warming waters and drought, Gitxaala Nation launched a monitoring program focused on juvenile salmon and stream health.
Monitoring salmon distribution in streams within Gitxaala Territory. (Photo Credit: Gitxaala Nation)
With support from the Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF), the project is helping build a clearer picture of where young salmon are growing across Gitxaala Territory. So far, guardians and summer students have monitored 11 streams and observed coho juveniles in six of them. Along the way, they recorded conditions such as water temperature, flow, vegetation and food sources for salmon.
The information collected will support the development of Gitxaala Nation’s salmon habitat monitoring and fishing management plans, helping guide future stewardship and conservation decisions while strengthening local capacity for long-term fisheries management.
The Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF) works in close partnership with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC), which serves as a frontline organization for collaboration with First Nations across British Columbia. FNFC leads relationship-building and engagement with more than 200 First Nations across the province, listening to and identifying Nations’ interests, priorities and perspectives. ISF complements this work by serving as the funding mechanism that helps turn those relationships and priorities into action. Together, FNFC and ISF ensure that the leadership, needs and priorities of BC First Nations are met with flexible and accessible resources that support Indigenous-led stewardship, habitat protection and long-term environmental resilience.
