Mi’ma’omakw: People of the Salmon

Mi’ma’omakw: People of the Salmon
Film Chronicles Indigenous-led Initiative to Rebuild Wild Salmon Stocks
Premiere at the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River

A documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of an unprecedented partnership between three coastal First Nations in their pursuit to protect wild Pacific salmon from the impacts of open-net pen fish farms in their traditional territories.

In 2018, the Mamalilikulla, ‘Namgis, and Kwikwasut’inux Haxwa’mis First Nations (the Broughton Nations), negotiated the first consent based government-to-government agreement that implemented the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia. Through this agreement with BC and subsequent agreements with industry, the Broughton Nations have developed and implemented a monitoring plan for fish farms in the Broughton Archipelago area, near the northern tip of Vancouver Island, that allows them unparalleled access and regulatory oversight over operations of the fish farms.

Since inception of the plan, ten farms underwent a phased decommissioning process and on March 2nd, 2023, the Broughton Nations communicated to Mowi and Cermaq that they would not provide the written agreements to those companies that are required for them to continue to operate their fish farms in the Nations’ respective territories. The three Nations made their decisions based on their Indigenous laws and the precautionary principle.

This short film was produced by the Broughton Aquaculture Transition Initiative, a wild salmon monitoring program developed by the Broughton Nations. It was directed by Damien Gillis, who followed the program in action during their first year of operation. Teams of monitoring technicians from each Nation regularly conduct inspection activities on fish farms, in addition to wild salmon population and habitat monitoring and restoration activities.

The film, which features stunning cinematography of wild salmon and coastal wildlife, makes its premiere at the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River on April 27, 2023. It chronicles the longstanding concerns of these Nations about the impacts of fish farms on wild salmon and the marine environment, which lead to negotiations with the Province of British Columbia starting in 2017.

This event will include the film screening, presentations, comments from the three Chief Councillors of the Broughton Nations, and a question and answer session. Popcorn will be included!

For Further information about the film, please contact communications@mamalilikulla.ca

Tickets: $12.50 Admission (+applicable taxes & fees)