02/06/2026
We’re taking action to protect salmon — before it’s too late.
The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is planning to safely remove unstable rock from Nagwentled (Farwell Canyon) to prevent potentially catastrophic impacts on our salmon stocks.
A technical team of experts has developed a plan to use well-established slope stabilization methods to remove the rock in a controlled way during a low-risk time – before the salmon arrive. TNG is collaboratively working with government and affected First Nations through engagement and permitting to make this happen.
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What is the risk to salmon if this work isn’t done?
After the 2024 Tŝilhqox landslide, geotechnical experts identified an imminent risk of rock falling into the river at Nagwentled.
If rockfall happens during salmon migration, it could delay or completely block salmon passage, similar to what happened at Big Bar in 2019.
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What is at risk?
Nagwentled (Farwell Canyon) is a narrow gateway for several populations of Fraser salmon, including Chilko sockeye, which pass through to reach their spawning grounds. If fish passage is disrupted here, the impacts reach far beyond this one place.
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Chilko sockeye are critically important locally, regionally, and internationally. They regularly make up more than half the total Fraser sockeye return, feeding First Nations people and culture all along the Fraser River, and supporting Fraser and marine approach, U.S. subsistence fisheries, and commercial fisheries in Canada and the southern U.S.
The consequences of disrupted passage at Nagwentled would be far-reaching and international in scale. When Chilko salmon are at risk, many communities are affected and our way of life as Indigenous peoples is directly threatened.
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Why does this work need to be done NOW?
Salmon migration timing is everything – even short delays can be deadly. If rockfall occurs while salmon are moving through Nagwentled, response options become disruptive, costly and uncertain.
Preventing harm is much better than reacting to disaster. Acting before the 2026 salmon migration allows work to be done safely, carefully, and at a low-risk time for salmon.
(small text) For example, at Big Bar, emergency response and recovery have cost more than $200 million, and the impacts are still ongoing. In comparison, proactive work at Nagwentled is estimated at $2.5–$3 million and can significantly reduce risk before migration.
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Investment for salmon, communities, and the future
Despite the urgency, government funding is not expected in time to act before the 2026 salmon migration. Rather than risk devastating impacts to salmon, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation has committed to fund this work ourselves.
Salmon are central to who we are as Tŝilhqot’in, the People of the River. Protecting their passage is part of our responsibility to care for these fish, for the benefit of all who depend on Fraser River salmon. We will continue working with governments, First Nations, and partners across the Fraser system.
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Nexwechanalhyagh to all First Nations that are working together with us at this critical moment to expedite the permit approval process. We are putting the salmon and our way of life first, for future generations.
