Alumni from Wildsight’s Columbia River Field School (CRFS) are uniquely positioned in discussions around the Columbia River and should use their voice to speak up on matters related to this region.
That was the message from B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, Adrian Dix, during a recent virtual meeting where they discussed dam operations, treaty renegotiations, and how these students’ experiences on and off the water allow them a deeper understanding of the issues facing the Columbia Basin. The meeting followed an earlier exchange of letters between students and the Minister.
The Columbia River Field School brings students through key stretches of the Canadian side of the Columbia River each summer. They learn about the basin’s history, ecology, politics and more through a 15-day canoeing and camping journey. Wildsight partners with School District 8 to make this experience a 4-credit school course. For Dix, it is this type of firsthand experience that sets Field School alumni apart.
Throughout the conversation, Dix returned to the theme that students’ lived experience gives them both credibility and responsibility, especially in light of uncertainty around treaty renegotiations.
“It’s so important to have people from the region at the table,” said Dix.
He encouraged students to share what they’ve learned with classmates, communities and others across the basin.
“You know what the Columbia Basin needs,” said Dix. “You’ve seen it in ways most people haven’t. And you can communicate why that’s important.”
Student reflections and questions
Students had the opportunity to share with the minister what they experienced through the field school.
Nelson student Raya Kipkie learned “how much humans’ actions have a long-lasting effect on the river, and how important it is for us as youth to advocate for a better future of the river and help educate other people.”
Others walked away with a greater understanding of the Columbia Basin as a whole.
“I just became very aware of how vast and important the Columbia River is, and how many ecosystems, animals and people it supports,” reflected Creston student Hazel Raine.
Students were also able to ask the minister wide ranging questions.
When one student asked what we can do to improve the health of the watershed, Dix pointed to the values built into the current agreement-in-principle, especially around salmon, ecosystems and Indigenous reconciliation.
“It’s our responsibility as people who care about this to talk about it, to care for it,” he said. “These are fundamental things for people who live in the region.”
Students also raised concerns from their local communities. Fernie student Ben Colden inquired about the decommissioned Elko Dam (located on the Elk River near Fernie).
Dix said the province is actively looking at an ‘end of life project’, describing decommissioning of defunct dams and habitat restoration as “one of the most exciting things we can do,” while noting the scale and cost of such projects means that they take time to complete.
At the same time, he acknowledged that large hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers will remain in place, making it essential to find ways to operate them that better support ecosystems.
“We’re not going to decommission the big dams. We need the electricity,” he said. But, he added, we can ask “what can we do with water flows in the treaty to enhance and promote natural values in the area?”
Near the end of the session, Dix returned to his central point: that the students’ connection to the river gives them a role to play that extends beyond the classroom.
“You’ve spent some time on the river. You know it. You live there. Your whole future might well be in the Columbia Basin,” he said. “I really want to encourage you to speak out.”
After all, he summed up to the students: “This is a place you love.”
