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Celebrating the first fish

Simpcw First Nation hosts First Fish Ceremony at Raft River salmon viewing platform
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(L-r) Justin Prairie Chicken

(L-r) Justin Prairie Chicken, Marissa Eustache and Fred Fortier drum as they take part in Simpcw First Nation’s First Fish Ceremony next to the Raft River salmon-viewing platform on Wednesday. About 140 people took part, including a few tourists.

ChiefRitaMatthewLeft: Chief Rita Matthew welcomes participants to Simpcw First Nation's annual First Fish Ceremony, which was held Wednesday near the Raft River salmon viewing platform. The site was the location of a traditional fishery from time immemorial, she said. Children would herd the fish to where they could be gaffed. The chief remembered living across the river when she was growing up.