International Wild Salmon Day: Honouring, Protecting, and Standing Up for Wild Salmon

June 1 marks International Wild Salmon Day — a time to recognize the importance of wild salmon, the habitats they depend on, and the people and communities working to protect them.

For ‘Na̱mg̱is, wild salmon are more than a resource. They are deeply connected to our culture, food systems, teachings, governance, and identity. Salmon nourish our families, connect us to the waters of our territory, and remind us of our responsibility to care for future generations.

At ‘Na̱mg̱is, we often say: Our Land, Our Sea, Our Territory — and wild salmon are part of that connection.

Across generations, salmon have sustained our people and continue to shape how we understand stewardship, responsibility, and reciprocity with the natural world. Protecting wild salmon means protecting the ecosystems, knowledge systems, and ways of life that sustain our community.

Standing Up for Wild Salmon

In recent years, ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation has continued to advocate for the protection and recovery of wild salmon through monitoring, research, governance, legal advocacy, and community action. From celebrating returning salmon to raising concerns about threats to their survival, our work continues in many forms.

Strong Sockeye Returns Bring Hope

In 2025, ‘Na̱mg̱is celebrated strong sockeye returns along the coast, bringing renewed hope to many communities. These returns served as an important reminder of the resilience of wild salmon and what can happen when ecosystems are given the opportunity to recover.

While there is still important work ahead, these moments of abundance remind us why salmon protection matters — not only for today, but for future generations.

Learn more: ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation Celebrates Strong Sockeye Returns

Responding to Sea Lice Concerns

Protecting wild salmon also means responding to threats that may impact their health and survival.

‘Na̱mg̱is leadership has continued to raise concerns regarding sea lice and the impacts salmon farms may have on wild salmon migration routes. Council and hereditary leadership have advocated for stronger protections, monitoring, transparency, and action to help safeguard salmon during critical stages of their lifecycle.

This work reflects an ongoing commitment to protecting salmon health and ensuring future generations can continue to benefit from healthy waters and thriving fish populations.

Learn more:

• ‘Na̱mg̱is Raises Concern Over Sea Lice Threat Near Wild Salmon Migratory Route
• New Evidence of Sea Lice on Salmon Unacceptable

Supporting Salmon Recovery

Alongside advocacy and monitoring, recent scientific reporting and observations have highlighted encouraging signs of recovery where salmon farms have been removed from key migration routes.

For many coastal Nations, these observations reflect what communities have witnessed firsthand for years: when wild salmon are protected and ecosystems are supported, recovery is possible.

Recent updates have explored the connection between salmon farm removals, salmon health, and growing optimism around wild salmon returns.

Learn more:

• How Salmon Respond to the Closure of Salmon Farms
• ‘Na̱mg̱is, Stó:lō and Allied First Nations Applaud Court Ruling on Salmon Farm Removals

Community, Culture, and Collective Responsibility

Protecting salmon is not only scientific or political work — it is cultural work, community work, and intergenerational work.

Gatherings like United for Wild Salmon remind us that caring for salmon means caring for one another, uplifting Indigenous knowledge, and standing together for future generations. These spaces create opportunities to share teachings, strengthen relationships, and reaffirm responsibilities that have existed for generations.

Wild salmon are deeply connected to who we are as peoples of the coast — and protecting them is part of protecting culture, language, food systems, and ways of life.

Learn more: United for Wild Salmon: Celebrating Unity and Commitment to Protect Our Sacred Gift

Join International Wild Salmon Day

This International Wild Salmon Day, we invite community members to learn more, reflect on what wild salmon mean to them, and explore ways to support salmon habitats and stewardship efforts.

Around the world, communities are participating in the Raise the Flag campaign to show support for wild salmon and the ecosystems they depend on. Whether by sharing a story, learning more, or simply taking time to reflect on the importance of salmon, every action helps strengthen awareness and care for future generations.

Learn more about the Raise the Flag campaign here.

Looking Ahead: Wild Salmon Blues – August 29

The work to protect wild salmon continues.

This August, community members and supporters are invited to gather for Wild Salmon Blues, an evening of music, discussion, fundraising, and community in support of ‘Na̱mg̱is’ ongoing efforts to protect wild salmon.

Featuring celebrated ‘Na̱mg̱is/Dzawada’enux̱w musician Garret T. Willie, the event will bring people together in support of a cause deeply connected to our lands, waters, and future generations.

Funds raised will support ongoing efforts to advocate for and protect wild salmon — work that continues to matter for our communities, ecosystems, and generations still to come.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.