Over 300 people joined Friends of Clayoquot Sound at the Clayoquot Salmon Festival to celebrate the return of wild salmon to the Pacific Northwest. From October 12th to the 19th, the Festival provided residents and visitors with the opportunity to reflect upon, and build an active appreciation for, the irreplaceable value of salmon in Clayoquot Sound.
In this spirit, Clayoquot Salmon Festival prioritized celebrating the return of the salmon by hosting two events at Jack’s Waterfront Pub. First, was the “Upstream Shakedown” featuring Victoria based reggae funk masters Caleb Hart & the Royal Youths, and Tofino based singer-songwriter Grizzly Waves opening on Friday, October 14th. The following night, Ms. Panik originally from Haida Gwaii kicked off the “Spawn Til Dawn Dance Party” with Vancouver’s DJ duo Wood’n’Soo on Saturday, October 15th.
To generate discussion about issues facing salmon, the Festival presented a documentary screening of “Koneline: our beautiful land” with Monday Night Movies at the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre. The film is full of amazing characters, drama, politics, and humour exploring a landscape undergoing irrevocable change in northwestern British Columbia. The film was followed with a special Skype interview with the filmmaker Nettie Wild after the show.
The Voices for Salmon Speakers Forum was opened by Joe Martin, master carver of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, who shared his concern about salmon farms impacting the health of salmon. Then came Simon Behman, who shared his stories from his 2000 kilometre Wild Salmon Paddle Kayak Expedition from Victoria, BC to Glacier Bay, Alaska as a fundraiser for salmon protection. Dawn Morrison presented about her experience as a lead organizer with the Wild Salmon Caravan to mobilize a grassroots movement to protect the salmon.
Thanks to all the organizing partners, supporting businesses, artists, speakers, and festival goers for making the Clayoquot Salmon Festival was a huge success in celebrating and advocating for wild salmon. We’re already looking forward to next year!
