Canada and Gitanyow Nation Sign 10-Year Salmon Agreement

After thousands of years of caring for salmon in their waters, the Gitanyow Nation now has a formal 10-year partnership with Canada to continue that sacred work.

The Government of Canada and Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs signed the Incremental Fisheries Reconciliation Agreement in September 2026 at the Sindihl House of Learning in northwestern British Columbia. The deal recognizes what Indigenous peoples have always known: the best guardians of the land are those who've protected it for millennia.

The agreement puts real resources behind the Gitanyow Fisheries Authority to run conservation programs like the Kitwanga Sockeye Recovery Program. It also opens doors for Gitanyow people to participate in commercial fishing opportunities that have sustained their families for generations.

Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson emphasized that this partnership means making decisions together. That collaborative approach is exactly what keeps salmon populations healthy and fisheries strong for future generations.

Joel Starlund, Executive Director of the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs Office, explained that his people have carried the responsibility of caring for salmon in their territory for thousands of years. This agreement simply strengthens their ability to continue that essential work while creating greater opportunities for their community.

The Ripple Effect

This agreement represents more than just fish management. It's part of Canada's commitment to renewing Nation-to-Nation relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on respect, cooperation, and partnership.

The deal acknowledges something crucial: effective salmon stewardship requires information-sharing and coordination among multiple partners at the watershed level. When Indigenous knowledge combines with modern conservation science, everyone benefits.

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty called the agreement a significant step forward, founded on collaboration, mutual respect, and capacity building. It's a model for how reconciliation can create tangible wins for both Indigenous communities and the environment.

The Gitanyow Nation's leadership in salmon care has been recognized and supported through this long-term commitment. Their approach ensures healthy populations for generations to come while honoring traditional responsibilities.

This partnership proves that the path to conservation runs through Indigenous stewardship, collaboration, and shared responsibility for the natural world.