Honouring the Yu’xay’tl’thut Salmon Harvest
Celebrating a Sacred Tradition of the Coast Salish Peoples
As the seasons turn and the air begins to cool, the return of the salmon signals an important time of gathering, gratitude, and tradition for Coast Salish communities. For generations, salmon have been central to the spiritual, cultural, and physical well-being of our people—providing nourishment, guiding teachings, and strengthening the ties between family, community, and land.
A Sacred Symbol
Salmon are much more than food. Across Coast Salish territory, they are honoured in ceremony, art, and stories as powerful symbols of renewal, perseverance, and self-sacrifice. As a keystone species, Pacific salmon—Coho, Sockeye, Pink, Chum, and Chinook—play a vital role not only in Indigenous lifeways but in the health of entire ecosystems.
Our Elders and Knowledge Keepers have long observed the rhythms of the salmon, carefully monitoring their returns and advocating for their protection. Salmon connect the physical and spiritual worlds and reflect the health of our waters, forests, and communities.
You will often see the image of the salmon woven into our cultural regalia, carved into totem poles, and etched into tools, paddles, and canoes—reminders of their enduring presence in our lives.
Harvesting with Respect
Traditional harvesting methods reflect deep respect and care for the salmon. Our ancestors used techniques such as stone traps, weirs, and nets placed carefully in shallow, slow-moving waters at the mouths of bays and in rivers. Designed to be selective and sustainable, these practices ensured that enough salmon would return year after year, protecting the balance of life for future generations.
Today, many harvest salmon using modern tools like fishing rods, boats, and nets—whether for commercial, recreational, or community purposes. While Pink and Chinook runs tend to peak in the spring and early summer, the prized Coho and Sockeye are most abundant in the late summer and fall, making this a special time for harvesting.
Bringing People Together Through Food
For Coast Salish people, food is medicine, and salmon is a sacred gift that brings us together. Whether roasted on cedar sticks over an open fire, wind-dried, smoked, or preserved by canning and freezing, salmon is prepared with intention and care. Feasts and gatherings that feature salmon are not just about the meal—they are moments of community and family connection, storytelling, and honouring cultural heritage.
Carrying the Teachings Forward
As we celebrate this season of abundance, let us remember the teachings of our ancestors. The salmon teaches us about reciprocity, stewardship, and the importance of protecting what sustains us. It is up to all of us to carry these teachings forward—caring for the land and waters, respecting the cycles of nature, and ensuring that future generations can continue to honour the salmon as we do today.
So, whether you're fishing with your family, preparing a feast, or enjoying some smoked salmon, take a moment to give thanks—for the salmon, for the teachings, and for the enduring strength of Coast Salish culture.
Delicious Salmon Recipes to Enjoy This Fall
Are you looking to create a simple yet delicious and healthier snack option this fall? Whether you are preparing for an upcoming family movie night or searching for an appetizer for a potluck here is a recipe that couldn’t be any easier to make. This versatile spread/dip can be eaten with crackers, plain corn chips, within lettuce wraps or on your preferred type of bread and sure to be a fan favourite at your next gathering.
Simple Salmon Spread
Ingredients
3 cans (450g) canned salmon
4 teaspoons of lemon juice
¾ cup yogurt (or 1 cup cream cheese, softened)
¼ cup of fresh herbs (dill, parsley)
Green onion garnish optional
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Add all the ingredients together in the mixing bowl and stir thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with crackers, corn chips or toast.
Note: Get creative and experiment with other optional ingredients like green or white onion, chopped dill pickle, hot sauce or horseradish.
Salmon Burgers
Ingredients
3 cans (450 g) canned salmon
½ cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1 large egg
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh dill or 2 teaspoons dried
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons oil for frying
Directions:
Drain the salmon, reserving the liquid. Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl and form into patties – use a little of the reserved liquid if the mixture is too dry. Heat oil in a frying pan on medium high heat and fry the patties until golden – about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towel.
You can serve on a bun with your favourite toppings, or on their own with a salad and a dipping sauce.