Revelstoke, BC — June 11, 2025 — Today, Sinixt peoples embarked on their annual canoe journey, paddling from Revelstoke, BC to Kettle Falls, Washington—retracing the ancestral waterways that have shaped their identity, movement, and way of life since time immemorial.
Spanning more than 500 kilometres, the 10-day journey planned by the Inchelium Language & Culture Association is a powerful expression of Sinixt presence and responsibility to the land and waters that have always sustained them.
“The river has always connected us. This journey is an affirmation of connection, culture, and belonging,” said Shelly Boyd, a Sinixt elder and paddler.
From the headwaters near Revelstoke to the salmon fishing grounds of Kettle Falls, this canoe journey travels through the heart of Sinixt territory—a living map of the Nation’s ancestral and ongoing stewardship.
The journey carries an urgent message about salmon reintroduction and conservation. For generations, the Columbia River salmon were the foundation of Sinixt life—spiritually, nutritionally, and economically. Today, the Sinixt continue to advocate for the return of salmon to their upper watershed and for renewed respect for their role as a keystone species.
“We also paddle for the salmon. Their absence is felt deeply. Their return is part of our collective healing,” said Boyd. “Each stroke of the paddle is a step in honoring the responsibilities we carry—to our ancestors, to this land, to the salmon, and to future generations. We invite our neighbours and allies to witness our presence and walk alongside us in respect and solidarity.”
Media and community members are invited to follow the journey through in-person events in Revelstoke (June 11), Nakusp (June 13), and Nelson (June 16–17), as well as closing ceremonies in Kettle Falls on June 20.
For visuals, media access, and interview opportunities, contact:
Jenn Phillips
613-913-5366
jenn.phillips[at]edelman.com
