Stewarding Our Watersheds

Calling the Salmon Back

Uniting traditional ecological knowledge and western science to restore healthy salmon populations, freshwater fish, and aquatic ecosystems across the Yukon.

An Indigenous man in traditional regalia stands on a riverbank, holding a hand drum and looking out over the water while participating in the 'Calling the Salmon Back' ceremony.
Peter Mather • Joseph O’Brien calling the salmon back.
Thin strips of salmon hanging to dry, backlit by bright sunlight, creating a glowing red and orange effect.
An underwater view of a large, reddish-purple salmon swimming over a rocky riverbed.

Five Priority Areas

  • Stock restoration
  • Data sovereignty
  • Technical research capacity
  • Traditional knowledge and an Indigenous worldview
  • Communications, engagement, and outreach
Download the YFNSSA Strategic Plan 2021-2026
An aerial top-down view of a person in a blue jacket standing on a metal picket weir spanning across a flowing, rocky river.
Peter Mather

Our purpose

Working Together

The purpose of YFNSSA is to support Yukon First Nations in carrying out collaborative programs, initiatives, and partnerships around salmon, freshwater fish, ecosystems, and aquatic resources while promoting the rights of First Nations in the Yukon. For the first five years, until 2026, our key priority is salmon.

A close-up of an Indigenous hand drum featuring a red and blue salmon in formline art, with a burning fire pit and snowy winter landscape in the background.

Our Mission

Calling the Salmon Back

YFNSSA calls for healthy salmon, freshwater fish, and ecosystems in Yukon. We operate without prejudice to the rights, title, self-governance agreements of Yukon First Nations. Our membership includes partners from Yukon First Nation governments in the Yukon.

YFNSSA advocates for the well-being of salmon, freshwater fish, and ecosystems in Yukon while upholding the rights, title, and self-governance agreements of Yukon First Nations. Our membership includes partners from Yukon First Nation governments in the Yukon.

We prioritize cooperative efforts and programs at the watershed level to ensure the sustainable use of resources and to effectively represent the interests of salmon, aquatic resources, and ecosystems. In addition, we seek to benefit member governments by providing First Nations training and capacity development and strengthening cultural connections.

We aim to develop partnerships through an integrated approach with Yukon First Nations, federal and territorial governments, and other partners interested in the conservation of salmon, aquatic resources, and healthy ecosystems. Our priorities and programs are implemented holistically, based on an Indigenous approach that combines the best available western science with traditional ecological knowledge.