Michelle George’s family recalls a time when the abundance of fish in the Burrard Inlet was so great that it obstructed ship passage. Michelle mentioned how the fish were once plentiful enough to walk across and reach the opposite side of the river. However, dynamite fishing led to the depletion of the fish population in the area.
A recent research study conducted in collaboration with the səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation and the University of British Columbia revealed that colonization activities dating back to 1750, such as smallpox outbreaks, overfishing, and industrialization, had decimated nearly 90% of the food systems and resources in the Burrard Inlet in Metro Vancouver.
According to the researchers, this study is believed to be the first attempt to quantify the impact of colonization on an ecosystem. Michelle George and her father, Micheal George, who is a cultural adviser with Tsleil-Waututh, expressed how their community’s environment and lives were devastated following colonization.
Micheal mentioned that community members used to harvest clams on the Inlet’s beach until around 1972, illustrating the drastic decline in available resources over time. The study, covering the period from 1750 to 1980, utilized various sources like archeology, historical records, and Tsleil-Waututh knowledge to estimate the significant reduction in food resources over the years.
The researchers highlighted the extinction of vital species like herring, sturgeon, and halibut due to historical events, including dynamite fishing practices by settlers. The study emphasized the cultural importance of Pacific herring as a key food source for the Tsleil-Waututh people and its impact on their traditional diets and way of life.
Additionally, the study shed light on the devastating effects of smallpox outbreaks on the Tsleil-Waututh population and the subsequent increase in settler population and environmental disturbances. It emphasized the need for habitat restoration and the importance of recognizing Indigenous rights and stewardship over the land.
Despite the challenges faced by the ecosystem, there is optimism for the future of the Burrard Inlet. Efforts such as eel grass transplantation and the return of herring and orcas signal positive signs for ecosystem recovery. Michelle George expressed hope for the Inlet’s restoration and emphasized the importance of taking action to improve its health and biodiversity.
