Collaborative Research Pairs Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge
EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. would like to congratulate Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine, the Xatśūll First Nation and the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council on Gibraltar Mine recently receiving the Jake McDonald Mine Reclamation Award from the British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR). The award recognizes Gibraltar’s collaborative approach working with Indigenous communities and innovative reclamation research.
The Fraser River Salmon Sampling Program is a community-led monitoring program facilitated by Gibraltar Mine that is built on Indigenous and scientific knowledge. The program is led by the Xatśūll First Nation and the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, with Gibraltar Mine representatives providing coordination support. EDI has provided technical assistance to the program since its inception in 2016. The objective of the program is to assess the safety of eating salmon caught at traditional fishing sites. Small tissue samples are collected for metal concentration analysis and the remainder of the fish are taken to local communities where they are used for sustenance.
In previous years, a BBQ was held where community members can see first-hand how fish are caught and sampled. This is also an opportunity to discuss the program objectives, results from past years, and any changes that may have occurred. “It sure is great to have the local community members participate in this event,” explains Hanna Donaldson, a senior biologist at EDI. “It is especially rewarding to see the different generations working together, with the Elders sharing their knowledge and teaching the young people how to catch fish.”
Click Here for additional details on the Gibraltar Mine winning the Jake McDonald Award. Click Here to view information on aquatic services provided by EDI team members.