The Second Annual Walking with Smolts Community Celebration is coming up on May 30 and 31.
Young and old, families and friends are invited to participate in a full day of activities or drop in for a few hours.
The journey of the tiny smolts will be dramatically depicted as students travel along the Seton River corridor from the lower spawning channels to the Fraser River.
Because of the success of last year’s celebration, local students will be joined by students from Spuzzum, Merritt and Clinton in an event that incorporates science, cultural knowledge, art, music, dance and theatre.
“There will be wild bears (portrayed by actors), jumping frogs, soaring eagles, busy beavers, churning turbines, polluting toilets, and lots of bugs!” promises co-ordinator Kim North. “We will all have the opportunity to learn about the lifecycle of the salmon, the interconnectedness of our environment, and ways we can help lessen the impacts on the environment. Students will also have the opportunity to release fry raised in their classrooms through the Coho in the Classroom program.”
Activities both days start at 9 a.m. at the Lower Spawning Channel and conclude at the Fraser River around 3 p.m. “Bring a ceremonial gift for the river, enjoy drumming and a lahal game on the banks of the Fraser, and then have a picnic on the beach. Bring a bag lunch,” North suggested.
The event is being coordinated by Split Rock Sekw'el'was, Salmon Talks, Lillooet Naturalist Society, Lillooet Tribal Council, Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Coho in the Classroom program.
