Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. News

Simpcw host First Fish ceremony

Event at Raft River viewing platform includes sharing food and knowledge
Keith McNeill
8278207_web1_FirstFishEldersEat0040
Simpcw First Nation elders and others help themselves to food during the First Fish ceremony on Aug. 23. Pictured are (l-r) Eunice (Bonnie) Donald, Louisa Celesta, Sam Saul , Cheryl Thomas, Bob Mumford, Julie Jenkins, Rick Pesklevits, and Rosemary Donald. Due to the forest fire danger, the salmon was cooked on a barbeque rather than in a tradional pit-oven. As of last week, most of the salmon run was still in North Thompson River due to unusually warm water in Raft River. Photos courtesy of Jana Chouinard, Secwepemc Fisheries Commission

By Keith McNeill

Over 125 people - tourists, band members and other local residents - took part in Simpcw First Nation’s First Fish ceremony at Raft River viewing platform on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

The annual event was cancelled last year and the year before because of sudden deaths in the band.

Unlike in previous First Fish ceremonies, there was no pit-oven this year, due to the forest fire danger. Instead, the salmon was cooked on a barbeque for those participating.

Other activities included traditional crafts and games such as lahal.

Traditionally called Ctswenetkwe or Drying Fish River, the river was the site of a fishing camp that was used until 1965 when the river was closed to fishing.

Fish wardens patrolled the Raft River and took away any equipment they found and fined those they caught fishing.

The Simpcw began returning to the river to fish in 1984.

8278207_web1_FirstFishRiverPrairieChicken
River Prairie Chicken beats time on a drum as she takes part in the First Fish ceremony.
8278207_web1_copy_FirstFishGeraldLoringSpearedFish
Gerald Loring shows off the first salmon caught in the Raft River this season. He used a traditional gaff to catch it. As of last week, most of the salmon run was still in North Thompson River due to unusually warm water in Raft River.