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Respecting Indigenous Rights Means Protecting Wild Pacific Salmon.

The First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance (“FNWSA”) brings together like-minded First Nations to work in partnership to identify and explore ways of protecting and enhancing wild Pacific salmon stocks, and encouraging recovery and restoration of salmon stocks and habitat.

Video Credit: Deirdre Leowinata & Tavish Campbell

Urgent Call to Action: Protecting Wild Pacific Salmon

Bob Chamberlin

Chair, FNWSA

In 2009, poor wild Pacific salmon returns to the Fraser River triggered the Cohen Commission. In 2016 and 2020, salmon returns were further devastated, reaching unprecedented lows. During 2024, the Chilcotin River landslide has once again blocked salmon returns. Watch to learn more about the true status of wild Pacific salmon in BC.

Since time immemorial, wild Pacific salmon have been essential to First Nation tradition, culture and food security. 

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Today, wild Pacific salmon are at historic lows. Ensuring the health and abundance of this keystone species represents a key aspect of province-wide reconciliation. 

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In British Columbia, First Nations have an uncontestable Aboriginal right to fish. Wild Pacific salmon are crucial for the exercise of that right, food security and the preservation of Indigenous tradition and culture.


One immediate action the Canadian government can take to protect wild Pacific salmon is to follow through on their mandate to transition open-net pen salmon farms out of BC waters by 2025.

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The scientific evidence is overwhelming: parasites, pathogens and pollutants from open-net pen salmon farms directly threaten the survival of wild Pacific salmon. Multiple Canadian and International studies document the significant harm to wild Pacific salmon caused by open-net pens. Read the report here.

About
BC

To date, the FNWSA has identified 120+ First Nations across BC who support the transition of open-net pen salmon farms out of BC waters. 

Indigenous-Led Resolutions: Support for Transition from Open-Net Pen Salmon Farming by 2025

Resolutions presented to and approved by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), First Nations Summit and the BC Assembly of First Nations calling for federal and provincial governments to fulfill their mandate to transition from open-net pen salmon farming in coastal BC waters by 2025.

View Resolution from the UBCIC here & letter to the Fisheries Minister here.

View First Nation Leadership Council full page ad in The Globe & Mail here.

View Resolution from the First Nations Summit here.

Chiefs from across BC attend meeting hosted by FNWSA with former DFO Minister Joyce Murray to support removing open-net pen salmon farms from coastal BC waters.

Hear from First Nations Voices

“When Indigenous people think about salmon, we think about it as a spiritual lifeline.”

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– Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Founder and

   Ambassador of Reconciliation Canada

  • Nazko First Nation

  • Ts’il Kaz Koh

  • Nak’adz’li Whut’en

  • Gitsegukla First Nation

  • Gitwangak Band

  • Kispiox Band

  • Penalakut Tribe

  • Heiltsuk Nation

  • Kwikwetlem First Nation

  • Lake Babine Nation

  • McLeod Lake Indian Band

  • ‘Namgis First Nation

  • Pauquachan First Nation

  • shíshálh Nation

  • Sts’ailes

  • Taku River Tlingit First Nation

  • Tsawout First Nation

  • Witset First Nation

  • Ktunaxa Nation

  • Da’naxda’xw First Nation

  • Kwakiutl First Nation

  • Mamalilikulla First Nation

  • Snaw-naw-as

  • T’Souk-e Nation

  • Tsleil-Waututh Nation

  • Nicomen Indian Band

  • Gitwinksihlkw

  • Xatśūll First Nation

  • Williams Lake Indian Band

  • Ditidaht First Nation

  • Tseshaht First Nation

  • Uchucklesaht Tribe

  • Okanagan Indian Band

  • Penticton Indian Band

  • Upper Nicola Band

  • Lower Nicola Indian Band

  • Upper Similkameen Indian Band

  • Neskonlith Indian Band

  • Simpcw First Nation

  • Skeetchestn Indian Band

  • Splatsin

  • Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc

  • Whispering Pines / Clinton Indian Band

  • Squiala First Nation

  • Sumas First Nation

  • Cowichan Tribes

  • Carcross/Tagish First Nation

  • Songhees Nation

  • Teslin Tlingit Council

  • Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation

  • Homalco First Nation

  • Tla’amin Nation

  • K’ómox First Nation

  • Wuikinuxv Nation

  • Lyackson First Nation

  • Gitanyow

  • Gitksan

  • Skawahlook First Nation

  • Klahoose First Nation

  • Wet’suwet’en First Nation

  • Adams Lake Indian Band

  • Shuswap Indian Band

  • Musqueam Indian Band

  • Gwawaenuk Tribe

  • Wuikinuixw Nation

  • Nadleh Whuten First Nation

  • Yale First Nation

  • Snuneymuxw First Nation

  • Squamish First Nation

  • Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation

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W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council:

  • Tsartlip First Nation

  • Tseycum First Nation

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Nlaka’pamux Tribal Council:

  • Lytton First Nation

  • Spuzzum First Nation

  • Boothroyd First Nation

  • Boston Bar First Nation

  • Oregon Jack Creek Band

  • Skuppah Indian Band

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St’át’imc Chiefs Council:

  • Samahquam First Nation

  • Skatin First Nation

  • T’it’q’et First Nation

  • Xaxli’p

  • Bridge River Indian Band – Xwísten

  • Cayoose Creek Band – Sekw’al’was

  • Líl̓wat Nation

  • Tsal’alh

  • Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation

  • N’Quatqua First Nation

  • Xa’xtsa Douglas First Nation

 

Stó:lō Tribal Council – representing 8 Bands, including:

  • Chawathil First Nation

  • Kwantlen First Nation

  • Cheam First Nation

  • Kwaw-kwaw-Apilt First Nation

  • Scowlitz (Sq’ewlets) First Nation

  • Seabird Island First Nation

  • Shxw’Ow’Hamel First Nation

  • Soowhalie First Nation

 

Tsilh’qotin Nation:

  • Tl’etinqox

  • Xeni Gwet’in

  • Deldel

  • Tl’esqox

  • Yunesit’in

  • ?Esdilagh

 

Stó:lō Nation:

  • Aitchelitz First Nation

  • Leq’á:mel First Nation

  • Matsqui First Nation

  • Tzeachten First Nation

  • Popkum First Nation

  • Yakweakwioose First Nation

  • Skowkale First Nation

  • Shxwhá:y Band

  • Esquimalt Nation

 

Haida Nation:

  • Massett First Nation

  • Skidegate

 

Scw’exmx Tribal Council:

  • Nooaitch Indian Band

  • Shakan Indian Band

  • Coldwater Indian Band

 

Shuswap Nation Tribal Council:

  • Bonaparte Indian Band

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Nisga’a Lisems:

  • Gitlaxt’aamiks

  • Laxgalts’ap

  • Gingolx

Who We Are

The First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance is a province-wide First Nations political advocacy group operating across BC, with a primary focus on wild Pacific salmon protection and rehabilitation measures.

 

The FNWSA regularly informs and makes presentations to the executive of First Nations Leadership Council organizations on emerging issues relating to the protection and rehabilitation for wild Pacific salmon. This has led to significant resolutions over the years that support solutions presented by the FNWSA to the Chiefs in Assembly.

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The FNWSA maintains a standing invitation to all First Nations and organizations in BC to collaborate and develop strategic partnerships which advance the FNWSA vision and mandate.

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