91��ܽ

The Fraser, one of the world’s greatest salmon rivers, is ecologically and culturally vital, yet increasingly imperiled by activities such as flood control structures, development, gravel removal, , pollution, and the impacts of global warming.

Known as the and the Stɑl̓əw̓ in , the Fraser is central to the way of life, wellbeing, and identity of many First Nations communities in British Columbia. As reminds us “the oldest Indigenous stories have made it clear that everything is connected: land, language, people, animals, with the river”.¹

While all people carry a sacred responsibility to care for the lands where we live (Gardner, 2021)², this responsibility is especially poignant for 91��ܽ. Sharing its name with the River and bearing the weight of colonial histories, SFU’s role in stewarding the Fraser feels both symbolic and tangible.

As approaches, we share this artist graphic recording to inspire reflection, learning, and renewed commitment to the Fraser and other River systems.

This artwork emerged from a collaborative conversation that began last year, when (Katzie) Elder Rick Bailey expressed his concerns to me about the health of the River. Together we convened a gathering (supported by SFU funding) to bring together our communities to discuss issues affecting the Fraser and the needs and rights of the River.

The gathering was held at the ����í����ə���� village on Oct. 18th, 2024, and was supported by Elders, Ed and Yvonne Pierre, as well as Dr. Vicki Kelly, who enlivened connections to the Fraser through music, prayer, song, and story. We began in ceremony at the banks of the River and invited Her to be part of the dialogue.

Faculty members with diverse knowledge of river systems, including Drs. Ann Chinnery, Jon Moore, Katherine Reilly, Gillian Russell, Craig Orr, Jeremey Venditti, Vicki Kelly, and Celeste Snowber, and SFU alumna Kristen Bradford, shared research stories that could help guide care for the Fraser. SFU’s Sustainability and Climate Equity Manager, Kim Thee, helped in numerous ways to carry the work.

This sharing was situated within collective responsibilities to the Fraser inherent within ����í����ə���� laws described by Land Guardians, Roma and Mike Leon, as well as within the Indigenous laws governing the Lower Fraser watershed discussed by Leah Ballentine ().

Encouraged by Dr. Lupin Battersby, Director, Knowledge Mobilization at SFU, we employed artist to document the gathering through graphic art. The art was conceptually guided by Dr. Kelly’s on many-eyed seeing, which honours “multiple perspectives in the circle of understanding”³. The artwork reflects the stories shared and invites viewers to explore  the intersections.

Through art, the ideas, feelings, and the spirit of the day are captured and shared with others.

We offer this poster for educational use, with acknowledgement to all the contributors: Elders Ed and Yvonne Pierre and Rick Bailey; Land Guardians Roma and Mike Leon; RELAW lawyer Leah Ballantyne; Manager of Sustainability and Climate (Equity) Kim Thee; Drs. Vicki Kelly, Ann Chinnery, Jonathan Moore, Craig Orr, Katherine Reilly, Gillian Russell, Jeremy Venditti, Kirsten Bradford, Celeste Snowber, and Cher Hill; and artist Adriana Contreras.

May it serve as a reminder of our shared responsibilities and the power of many-eyed stories to guide us in caring for the Fraser.

For more information, please contact Dr. Cher Hill (cher_hill at sfu.ca).

Dr. Cher Hill is a faculty member in the Faculty of Education at SFU.

The River Knows What It Needs - Graphic Art (High-Resolution)