The reason behind the name change is to have a name that better encompasses our three pillars (research, decision-support tools, and relationship building and engagement) and so with lots of deliberation we chose the Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem Marine Stewardship Initiative. Stay tuned for a NEW logo!

A special thanks to our former team members

We are so grateful for our former steering committee members, management team, and volunteers that have made the Marine Stewardship Initiative what it is today. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

• Ruth Simons
• Jay Ritchlin
• Jessica Schultz
• Randall Lewis
• Sarah McJannet
• Bill Wareham
• Janine Beckett
• Trevor Dunn
• Adam Taylor
• Ken Sneddon
• Aroha Miller
• Kathleen Edwards

• Fiona Beaty
• Bridget John
• Jonathon Williams
• Nikita Wallia
• Willem Van Riet
• Nolan Rudkowsky
• Amy Kikuchi
• Melina Stokes
• Emily Nickerson
• Genevieve Cruz

Introducing the current team

• Fiona Beaty – PhD candidate & former project director
• Ruth Simons – Howe Sound/Átl’ka7tsem Biosphere Region Initiative
• Jay Ritchlin – David Suzuki Foundation
• Charlene Williams – Squamish Nation
• Isobel Pearsall – Pacific Salmon Foundation

• Courtney Smaha – Project Director
• Bridget John – Program Manager
• Jonathan Williams – Squamish Nation Youth Lead
• Myia Antone – Indigenous Research & Engagement Coordinator
• Nikita Wallia – GIS support
• Kyla Hemmelgarn – Research team volunteer

We want to thank many of this current team who have been with the project for many years already!

Thank you to the supporters of the Slhawt’ (herring) project

The Marine Stewardship Initiative is partnering with local groups and champions, led by youth from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, to survey the activity of slhawt’ (herring) within their territory. Thanks to the donations given to the West Vancouver Foundation’s Give Where You Live campaign and the Howe Sound Biosphere Fund, between November 15 –  December 31st, 2021, $19,130 was funded for the Searching for slhawt’ (herring) program. Once again, thank you for your kind and generous support. With this support, we will seek to answer the following questions: 1) where and when do slhawt’ spawn; 2) how well do their eggs (ch’em’esh) survive in different locations; and 3) what is the cultural and social importance of slhawt’ and ch’em’esh to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stélmexw (Squamish people)? This project hopes to advance Indigenous youth leadership, ocean exploration, and cultural teachings in Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound.

Read more about the Search for Slhawt/Herring project

We have updated our email to marinestewardshipinitiative@gmail.com. We will be checking the old email up until March 15th. If you’re on Instagram feel free to give us a follow to stay up to date with the project.

Thank you for all you do to protect ocean health and community access in this cherished region!