The Salmon, Chief of all who live beneath the water, have completed their migration and this photo shows their return to the Okanagan region where they spawn. The salmon travel from the streams and rivers where they hatched through a long journey through the waterways to the estuaries while they are juveniles. Then, they boldly continue into deeper waters to live their adult life in the ocean.
Since time immemorial the Sqilxw peoples have waited each autumn for the return of the salmon, who bring nourishment from the ocean deep into the interior of the province of BC. It is very difficult work to catch and preserve the salmon for winter sustenance, but salmon remains a staple of human nutrition in the region.
Members of the salmon clan have undertaken long journeys in their lives, sometimes travelling physically and other times following a spiritual path. A love of water and connection to seasonal cycles may also be a strong influence on their lives.
Barbara Hartley is a world traveler, so belongs to the Salmon Clan. I met her because she wrote a book on the history of Vernon and conducts tours of heritage buildings.