Strong turnout for Gill Bar restoration event in Chilliwack

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CHILLIWACK — If attendance figures are any indication, there’s strong interest in seeing what the restoration of Gill Bar in Chilliwack will entail.

Well over 100 people turned out at Cheam First Nation for last week’s event involving the Gill Bar restoration and Management Plan project on Wednesday evening, Feb. 21.

Pelólxw Tribe members Cheam and Sqwá had extended an invitation to the greater Chilliwack community to attend the event to better understand the plans and actions being taken to revitalize and restore the Gill Bar reach of the Fraser River. Stewarded by Pelólxw Tribe members Cheam and Sqwá, these waterways have been important transportation routes and sources of food for multiple generations.

According to Lina Azeez of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, staff from the provincial Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship and federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans attended, as did Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove, Councillors Nicole Read and Jeff Shields, and environmental manager Tara Friesen from the City of Chilliwack. Leadership from Cheam were also in attendance, along with Sqwa Chief Johnathon Prest and Councillor Eddie Gardener, and Cheam Councillor Lisa Douglas.

“There were many community members from Cheam, Sqwa and Chilliwack – those in support of the work and those who were concerned about the area being closed off to recreation,” Azeez said. “The president of the All-Wheel Drive Association spoke; he recognized why the area was closed off for now and hoped to be able to better engage in the land management options the Nations are currently exploring.”

Attendees were welcomed by Cheam First Nation with drumming and songs, and were treated to a meal together before the project team facilitated the presentation and opened it up for discussion.

Gill Bar Restoration and Management Plan Team is a collaboration with the S’ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance (STSA), the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance (LFFA), the Watershed Watch Salmon Society (WWSS), and the Pelólxw Tribe. Xá:y Syí:ts’emílep means Gill Sand Bar in Halkomelem.

“Now, with the leadership of the Cheam and Sqwá, this popular recreation and fishing site is being given the attention and care it needs to thrive,” a Facebook description of the event stated. “The Project Team invites you to attend, learn and share feedback on what the First Nations are collaboratively working towards for the future of this important river reach. With the coming together of our communities, we can take steps to restore, revitalize and preserve Gill Bar for the benefit of many generations to come!”