Science, Governance, & Relationality in Indigenous Fisheries
The goal of this course is to recognize the deep wisdom that is generated and carried through Indigenous fishing systems. The science, governance, and relationality that is embedded within these systems is essential to caring for fish and waters into the future.
UNSETTLING | an emerging field of study that calls for following Indigenous leadership and relationality and working toward disrupting the colonial reality
“INDIAN FISHING” | a comprehensive study of the methods and culture of fishing for First Nations of the Northwest Coast, by Hilary Stewart (1977)
RESTORYING | the practice of respeaking, rewriting, or refashioning stories or narratives to challenge injustices, heal from trauma, or imagine a more hopeful future
INDIGENOUS FISHERIES | the fishing practices and aquatic harvesting activities carried out, governed, and sustained by Indigenous Peoples
2027 Theme: Unsettling “Indian Fishing” and Restorying Indigenous Fisheries
This hybrid course combines online classes with in-person, land-based experiential learning centred on Indigenous fisheries. We will critically and carefully examine historic and existing narratives of Indigenous fishing activities, using Hilary Stewart’s “Indian Fishing” as the core course text, and students will engage context-specific Indigenous source material to restory these practices, activities, and how they are governed and sustained by Indigenous Peoples. This 2027 course offering gives students time and opportunity in the Nass River Valley to interact with Nisg̱a’a ts’eets’iks (land), ayuuḵ (law), adawaaḵ (stories), hoon (fish), g̱alts’ipts’ap (villages), t’ist’isit (elders), g̱a’aadit (fishers), and gyuwil (even more).
Dr. Andrea Reid, Course Convenor
Nasya Moore, Community-Based TA
Dr. Ḵii’iljuus Barbara Wilson, Kuuljaad (Boss Lady)
Dr. John Borrows, Course Visitor
Dr. Hwsyun’yun Skye Augustine, Course Witness
“This is an old course, with new guidelines. It has an ancestor sitting on the land where we are all sitting.”
– Dr. Kii'iljuus Barbara Wilson
Interested In Participating?
Priority for joining the course cohort is given to: host Nation members and other Indigenous students; participants in the IOF’s Indigenous Community-Based Researcher Pathway; and new members of the CIF.
The next course offering will be in 2027:
Online: Alternating Tuesdays, Jan 5-Apr 12, 9:30-12pm.
In Person: 1 week, mid to late March, Nass River Valley, BC.
We are now welcoming expressions of interest here.
Please email cif@oceans.ubc.ca for the course outline.
Photo Credits & Gratitude: We hold our hands up in thanks to Nasya Moore, Tolu Amuwo, Marty Clemens, and Michelle Buchholtz.