A Film and Dialogue Series starts Tuesday night at the Stó:lō Resource Centre with a panel discussion about open-net fish farming and wild B.C. salmon.
The impetus for the new series arose partly out of growing community concern about the Kinder Morgan pipeline.
“The pipeline runs through eight reserves between Hope and Abbotsford,” said event organizer Maretta Beger, lands officer for Sto:lo Nation Lands Department.
“That’s what got me started. I wanted to inform the Sto:lo membership about potential impacts, and that led to other issues.
“The goal is to inform people about what’s going on in their backyards.”
A couple of short films by indie filmmaker Twyla Roscovich will tackle the reality of fish farming in coastal waters and its impact on wild stocks.
Then the main feature, The Rise of the Salmon People, by Jeremy Williams follows the ‘Get Out Migration’ rally held in Victoria last May and The Paddle for Wild Salmon Journey down the lower Fraser River in October with biologist Alexandra Morton.
A traditional welcome will be followed by a salmon and bannock meal by donation, served at 6 p.m, followed the film screenings, and panel discussion to follow at about 8:30 p.m.
Biologist Alexandra Morton and local activist Sheila Muxlow will be on-hand at the Sept. 11 event, to answer questions as panel members.
Audience members are welcome and encouraged to ask questions and provide input during the Q&A session.
It’s a family and community event meant to bring Stó:lō and Stó:lō neighbours together to share First Nation culture, stories, history and create understanding and community connections.
For more details call Beger at 604-824-2451.
