The Salish Sea Indigenous Guardians Association Bridges Data with Indigenous Perspectives

“We need to support and lean on one another for the success and wellbeing of all our future generations,” says Semiahmoo Nation Chief Harley Chappell.

Chief Harley Chappell of Semiahmoo First Nation at IPSS 2022 alongside Tumia Knott, Marian Ngo and Steven Stark.

Known for its rich marine biodiversity and delicate ecosystems, the Salish Sea encompasses notable waterways such as the Juan de Fuca Strait, the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound. But did you know that the region has an estimated 172 different types of birds and 247 different species of fish? Those numbers only scratch the surface of species of concern in the Salish Sea. From orcas to eagles and everything in between, the inland sea is home to substantial biodiversity worth protecting.

The Salish Sea also has immense cultural and historical significance for the Coast Salish Peoples, a diverse group of Indigenous communities who call the Pacific Northwest their home.

The Salish Sea and its interconnected bodies of water have been vital to the health, livelihood and culture of numerous Indigenous communities. Additionally, certain species such as wild salmon continue to be fundamental and sustainable sources of food for Indigenous Peoples in the region.

"Coast Salish peoples have traversed these waters for thousands of years,” stated past BC Lieutenant Governor Steven Point in a 2010 CBC News article about the official naming of the Salish Sea. “This name pays homage to our collective history,” he explained.

Because of the close proximity to urban centres such as Vancouver and Seattle, the Salish Sea is uniquely affected by urban development and expansion, particularly in the marine transportation industry. However, there has been a lack of oversight and long-term planning when it comes to cumulative effects assessments.

Historically, “there was nothing that was overarching, that established a baseline and that took into account the Indigenous perspective, culturally and historically,” explains Marian Ngo, Executive Director of the Salish Sea Indigenous Guardians Association (SSIGA). Without considering the bigger picture, each assessment has occurred “through the lens of whichever project is being proposed,” she adds.

In February 2020, following a panel discussing cumulative effects in the Salish Sea, GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. (GCT), the platinum sponsor of the inaugural IPSS conference, announced $200,000 funding towards an independent Indigenous-led cumulative initiative. The Salish Sea Indigenous Guardians Association (SSIGA) was granted these funds which they have since used to build up their database and long-term stewardship plans with various government and non-government entities.

Built on the foundational pillars of Indigenous knowledge, cumulative data and meaningful participation, SSIGA aims to make up for historical shortcomings in environmental assessment processes by coming together, compiling data and using it to empower one another and their communities. Their work involves creating the first ever practical and accessible database of cumulative effects data for Indigenous communities to reference and build upon together. Their approach is to “take the existing data from across the board, overlay Indigenous perspectives and build [their] own studies,” explains Ngo.

"It is a true honour to come together to form SSIGA,” states Steven Stark, President of SSIGA and Executive Council Member of the Tsawwassen First Nation. “We are in the infant stages of the group, but already we are making a lot of ripples in the water.”

SSIGA envisions economic reconciliation and wildlife preservation as an ongoing process which requires practical planning, analysis and action. None of this can be done without respect and recognition of Indigenous-led initiatives.

"There is such incredible knowledge and value that we as Indigenous Peoples can bring to what is happening in our territories,” states Tumia Knott, Councillor of the Kwantlen Nation and Treasurer and Secretary of SSIGA.

Two years after SSIGA transformed from an idea into an organization, the executive team came together for a panel discussion reflecting on their progress at the 2022 Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS) which took place online and in Vancouver on May 26th and 27th. The panel focused on “Addressing Cumulative Effects: Insights from Indigenous Efforts in the Salish Sea.” Bringing together diverse insights and perspectives from neighbouring Indigenous communities, the conversation featured Sləqsit (Steven Stark) of the Tsawwassen First Nation, Xwopokton (Chief Harley Chappell) of the Semiahmoo Nation and Spaləl̕ (Tumia Knott) of the Kwantlen Nation, in conversation with SSIGA Executive Director Marian Ngo.

“The ultimate vision is that we as nations collectively here in the Salish Sea are all working together. We must take ownership of and responsibility for our territory,” declares SSIGA Vice President and Semiahmoo Nation Chief Harley Chappell.

“We as First Nations haven't been at the table enough,” explains Chief Chappell. That needs to change across the board by centring Indigenous perspectives and insights.

“It is vitally important that the indigenous perspective is at the forefront of decisions," states Knott. “As Indigenous Peoples, we come to these conversations always with a broader perspective and a broader lens that we want to share and communicate.”

Slowly but surely, we are beginning to see measurable progress regarding collaboration and prioritizing Indigenous perspectives in the cumulative effects assessment process. Pushing forward, the Salish Sea Indigenous Guardians Association aims to empower its members and their communities by providing them with shared resources and a broader picture of previously collected data.

"We have longstanding family ties and longstanding connections,” so “the opportunities that come by us working together are fantastic,” explains Chief Chappell.

Moving forward in their work, SSIGA encourages more nations to join the association and benefit from this collaborative approach.

“We’re really hoping that our membership in SSIGA expands,” states Knott. “Hopefully that will happen and we'll have more communities be a part of the work that we're doing.”

This article was written by CJ McGillivray. Readers can learn more about the Indigenous Partnership Success Showcase, returning in 2023, by visiting www.indigenoussucess.ca.