Re-Wild Fraser Estuary! Letter to Jimmy Pattison

 

The Canadian Fishing Company still owns many properties in the Fraser River Estuary that were once used for salmon canneries. I want to suggest that this land no longer be sold off to industrial interests by Mr. Pattison, but instead now be donated to First Nations or Consortiums of First Nations and Conservancies who wish to now "rewild" this land and foreshore. This is because it is key habitat for millions of young salmon from the remote corners of the Fraser Watershed, as they get ready to go to sea. 

 

As I noted in my last letter, what I might call the "Indigenous Salmon Women Rising", and men, are now coming into governance roles, I copy many here. They wish to now engage, in the financial tasks ahead, to now rebuild the ecological integrity of the river. They have accomplished much already.

 

To help Mr. Pattison with the task of rewilding this key land and foreshore, is a newly formed group of First Nations and UBC planners (see attached) who are well equipped to help in this endeavor. I recently supplied this group, which is called "Blueprint for restoring ecological governance to the Lower Fraser River" a rare Fraser Estuary Management Program document that has a list and map of the Jim Pattison properties (then under B.C. Packers).

 

Of immediate imperative, is the remediation of all these sites. Which government has often turned blind eye to in recent years.

 

I hope that Mr. Pattison will agree that the higher use of this land, is to return it to nature, for, first and foremost, First Nations culture and nutrition that will come with a rebuilt Fraser River.

 

Best Regards 

 

David Ellis 

Fisheries Rebuilding Enthusiast 

Bookseller to First Nations

B.A. M.Sc. (honours) UBC. Natural Resources Planning,  SCARP.Former Head, Pacific Fishes, COSEWIC

 

Cc:

Kukpi7 Judy Wilson

Union of BC Indian Chiefs

Chief/Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops)

Mr. Murray Ned, Executive Director, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance

WICKINEM, Chief Eric Pelkey, WSANEC group of reef net fishermen who wish to again "reef net" for Fraser salmon in the Gulf Islands region.

Mr. Wilson Williams, Councillor, Squamish First Nation

Mr. Larry Grant, Knowledge Holder and language teacher, Musqueam First Nation

Chief Alice Thompson, 

LEQ’ A: MEL First NationChief Chief Alice McKay, Matsqui First Nation