Feature Fundraising Campaign - SEARCHING FOR SLHAWT' (HERRING) in the Squamish Nation territory

Updated January 2022 - $19,030 raised for this project - Thank you!

Donations to the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Fund were matched through the West Vancouver Foundation during the Live Where You Give Campaign up to December 2021.

This project involves advancing Indigenous youth leadership, ocean exploration, and cultural teachings in Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound. The project will be led by the Marine Reference Guide in partnership with the Howe Sound Biosphere Region and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) to study and share the activity of slhawt'/herring within the Nation's territory. Together we will seek to answer the following questions: 1) where and when do slhawt' spawn; 2) how well do their eggs (ch'em'esh) survive in different locations; and 3) what is the cultural and social importance of slhawt' and ch'em'esh to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stélmexw (Squamish people)? Sḵwx̱wú7mesh youth will lead the ecological field surveys, with support from their teachers and local marine biologists. We will share the knowledge generated from this project with communities and organizations throughout the biosphere and on the Marine Reference Guide's website and interactive map. This project will build upon a pilot survey that the Marine Reference Guide conducted in the winter of 2021 with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh youth. Our desired outcome is to increase Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's capacity to protect both ocean health and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture.

Until December 31st, 2021, donations will be matched, up to $10,000 per project, by the Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund - doubling your impact!

Howe Sound Biosphere Trust facilitates and supports the organizing and planning of complex activities that bring allegiance to balancing development, conservation, and equity in the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound region. In September 2021 we become Canada’s 19th UNESCO Biosphere Region. The Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Marine Reference Guide is a project on MakeWay’s shared platform, which supports on-the-ground efforts to create uncommon solutions for the common good. MakeWay is a national Canadian charity dedicated to a healthy environment, social equity, and economic prosperity.