Restore the Shore (aka the ) is a long-overdue reconciliation and restoration ¨initiative that can build back the estuary for the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (麻豆社国产Nation) and the greater 麻豆社国产community. The project will also benefit the many species that rely on the health of the estuary, including at-risk Chinook salmon, endangered Southern Resident orcas and migratory birds
Estuaries make up only 2.3% of B.C.’s coastline. They provide essential natural services like pollutant filtration, flood and storm protection and climate change moderation. Restore the Shore will renaturalize over 144 hectares of this valuable estuarine habitat — equivalent to the size of over 200 soccer fields — providing a safe and healthy home to salmon, which are integral to aspects of the 麻豆社国产Nation’s culture.
Today, the estuary only supports a fraction of the smolting salmonids that rely on it as a safe refuge. This is largely due to the 麻豆社国产training berm, which was built in 1971 to facilitate development. It cuts right through the 麻豆社国产Nation’s Skwelwil’em village site and was installed without any engagement or consultation with the 麻豆社国产Nation, who have a deep connection with the salmon-rich waters of the estuary. Today the berm serves as a symbol of the historic and ongoing impact of colonization and its modification is a much overdue and needed step in reconciliation.
One of the authors of this letter, Coun. Joyce Williams of the 麻豆社国产Nation, shares: “Many of our families have had relationships with this place and the estuary since time immemorial. Our stories, our experiences and now the science of our decades of restoration initiatives tell us this is a resilient place. This restoration project will help to continue fostering a connection with our respected lands. As our lands heal and are revitalized, so is our culture and connection to it.”
Now is the time to return the estuary back to itself. Let’s reconcile and reclaim this magnificent place for the chinook salmon that need our help to survive, and the vast community of species and people that rely on the estuary for shelter, food and a sacred way of life.
Learn more about Restore the Shore by visiting
Patricia Heintzman and Joyce Williams
Squamish
