Indigenous leaders, scientists, conservation groups and community members gathered in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, this spring to mark the tenth anniversary of the Lelu Island Declaration, which placed Lelu Island and surrounding salmon habitat in the Skeena River estuary under the protection of Indigenous laws. The declaration was signed in 2016 in response to plans for a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal on Lelu Island, an area considered one of British Columbia’s most important salmon habitats. The following year, the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG project was cancelled, and in 2019 the Prince Rupert Port Authority imposed a development moratorium over the sensitive area. At the anniversary gathering, participants reflected on the role salmon play in connecting ecosystems, communities, cultures and generations across the Skeena watershed. Speakers highlighted the importance of Indigenous stewardship, scientific research and collaboration in protecting salmon and their habitats. Despite these achievements, concerns remain about the future.
Climate change, warming waters, industrial expansion and increasing pressure on salmon habitat continue to threaten many salmon populations. Speakers stressed that decisions about development, stewardship and Indigenous rights will shape the future of both salmon and the communities that depend on them. Read more on The Narwhal.