Island Highway Shut Down by Migrators – 'Namgis Send Off

April 24, 2010 by Mark Worthing

Migration Day 1 – Nimpkish River, 'Namgis Send off Ceremony from Alexandra Morton on Vimeo.

180 migrators composed of community members, fishermen, First Nations, teachers, generations of families, children, dogs, all walked past the "Welcome to Port McNiell" sign and on to highway 19. They were bound for blessings, song, food, gifts and dance in full ermine-headdress regalia at the Gwa'ni Hatchery where Hank Nelson and volunteers have been caring for the wild salmon stocks for decades.
As you stand at the sacred headwaters of the Nimpkish River, you can feel the mid-day breeze across your face reminding you of the importance of pure ecosystems, pure communities, and pure rivers.

"The people of North Island shut down the Island Highway today with a clear message.  They want their wild salmon protected.  There were so many people crossing Nimpkish bridge that no vehicles could pass." Said Rod Marining, co-founder of Greenpeace International and vice-chair of BC environmental Network.

The A.J. Elliot Elementary school kids escorted Alex Morton and the Migrators across the the straight on the first ferry where everyone was met by chief Bill Cranmer, Elis Cranmer, Beau Dick, William Wasden Jr., Bily Robertson, Robert Mountain, Craig Murray, Graeme McDonald, Jim and Caorole Whyte, Gary and Grey Stoner, Bill and Donna Mackay, Claire Trevena, Paul Spong, Jennifer Lash and her children, Bruce Burrows, Anissa Reed, the Alert Bay Elementry Schools and media.



"The North Island made it very clear that they want wild salmon." Said Alex Morton reflecting on the days energy.

The Peace song, the Salmon song, the River song, and others were sung by drummers and elders as they led the migration from Port McNeill to the mouth of the Nimpkish River.  The 'Namgis from Alert Bay delivered blessings for safe and harmonious passage on the migration south, and assured everyone that we were being watched over. 

Prior to leaving Port McNeill, we stopped at the North Island Secondary at 9:00am where high school students exchanged signs and placards with migrators and shared interviews with media.  The cacophony of industry, and independence filmmakers, journalists, and community members stopped traffic until energy was galvanized and directed out of town.

Like everything in the Broughton Archipelago, the day was met with rain and overcast as people got used to their walking shoes.  We covered about 20 k/m making the whole 500km or so down to Victoria both daunting and exciting.
There was an impenatratable feeling of courage and confidence throughout the departure that will drive the message home – the public wants wild fish not farmed fish.



Thanks to the Bill and Donna Mackay for their help with the Naiad morning transportation, and to the BC Salmon Farmers Association for their generous donation to heart and stroke foundation.