Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/134411
Koeye fish weir The Koeye River is one of the most important salmon streams on BC's central coast. Located in Heiltsuk territory, the river and estuary are home to a large population of grizzly bears, as well as black bears, wolves, deer, cougars, mountain goats, wolverine, river otters and many species of fish including rainbow, cutthroat and steelhead trout, and five species of salmon. QQS (pronounced "kucks") is a non-profit society in Bella Bella that focuses on cultural and environmental stewardship, with a strong emphasis on mentoring future leaders. QQS is a Heiltsuk word that means "eyes." The society considers it part of its mandate to "open the eyes of our young people to their responsibility as stewards of our environment and culture." QQS will use a grant of $30,000 from Vancouver Foundation to build a traditional fish weir at the Koeye conservancy. Fish weirs have been used for thousands of years by First Nations as a means of selectively harvesting salmon in large rivers. This project will engage Heiltsuk youth in their culture, strengthen community involvement in salmon stewardship, and provide more detailed information about the salmon population in the Koeye. Proper enumeration of salmon using a fish weir would greatly enhance understanding of salmon within the Koeye, and would have broad relevance for understanding salmon populations throughout the region. Salmon Arm's first gas station – 86 years later When local businessman A.D. Meek built a small service station in Salmon Arm in 1927, he had no idea the transformations it would go through or the number of people it would touch. As the local Union Oil dealer, Meek delivered gas all over the north Okanagan. His filling station was built of small logs with an overhang at the front, and the ends of the logs were painted Union Oil colours, alternating orange and blue. In 1935, Meek dismantled the station and towed it by barge to Paradise Point on Shuswap Lake, where it was re-erected as a summer cabin. Three generations, two families and more than 40 years later, the cabin was donated to the Shuswap Chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada, with the provision that it be restored and placed at a museum. With many donations of money, materials and labour, including a grant of $8,285 from Vancouver Foundation, the service station has been completely restored for public enjoyment, and now stands in its original location as part of Haney Heritage Park. Photos: iStock; Paul Heraty (Voices on Main Street); Bob Hare (Salmon Arm Gas Station) p4-5 GAAG.indd 5 Spring 2013 I Vancouver Foundation l page 5 13-05-22 12:30 PM