Fraser River Discovery Centre is teaming up with the New Westminster Museum and Archives on its first virtual Fraser River Dialogue.
Society’s Changing Priorities for Use of the Fraser River is the topic of free event taking place on Zoom on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. Several panel members will speak about the evolution of society’s priorities and interests relative to the Fraser River and its shoreline – and what that means for the future of the river.
“Society’s priorities for the mighty Fraser River have definitely evolved over time,” said Stephen Bruyneel, director of external relations and development at Fraser River Discovery Centre. “First Nations have relied on it for food, transportation and trade for millennia. The founding of the City of New Westminster and industrialization then increased the priorities for the river. And society’s interests have continued to change and develop right up to today, as more and more people want to live, work and play on or around the Fraser.”
The panel will include folks with a variety of perspectives on the issue: Nolan Charles, Musqueam Indian Band councillor; Jason Hwang, vice-president, salmon with the Pacific Salmon Foundation; Lisa Spitale, chief administrative officer of the City of New Westminster; and Allen Domaas, former president and chief executive officer of the Fraser River Port Authority.
“The goal is to have an open and constructive conversation about the many different priorities people have for the Fraser River,” said Bruyneel, who will facilitate the discussion with the panel and virtual attendees. “We also want to talk about and how all of those priorities can be balanced to ensure a sustainable future for our cherished river.”
For more information and to pre-register, go to www.fraserriverdiscovery.org.
