The Soul of the Fraser

Join us for a special, in-person screening of The Soul of the Fraser (2022) to celebrate World Water Day, followed by a conversation with Sarah Nathan (British Columbia Manager of Provincial Operations, Ducks Unlimited Canada), Lindsey Jay Wilson (Hereditary Chief, Hwlitsum First Nation), Chris Jenkins (Co-Director, The Soul of the Fraser), and Fin Donnelly (Parliamentary Secretary for Watershed Restoration, British Columbia).

The Soul of the Fraser (1h17min)
Where millions of birds and billions of fish once thrived, now mere thousands struggle to co-exist with the unregulated growth of Metro-Vancouver in British Columbia. Local filmmakers Brendan Chu and Chris Jenkins explore the Fraser Estuary, the original river delta beneath the urban sprawl of Vancouver. To solve the mysteries of this forgotten land, they meet with environmental activists, First Nations leaders, and specialized biologists. Led by Indigenous wisdom and western studies, the filmmakers witness beautiful animals and mysterious sights. Soon, they see the “death of a thousand cuts” this once beautiful land has suffered through. The filmmakers desire to use this film to bring the soul back to the Fraser; through educating the local public about the ecological history they walk on.

Following the film, we will be joined by special guests:

Sarah Nathan is the British Columbia Manager of Provincial Operations at Ducks Unlimited Canada. She earned a Master of Resource Management degree from Simon Fraser University in 2006, and her desire to take action on the ground to restore habitat for fish and wildlife populations led her to take courses in ecological restoration at the BC Institute of Technology in 2012 and 2013. In her role with Ducks Unlimited Canada, Sarah has managed various habitat stewardship projects in the Fraser Delta, ranging from managing invasive species to restoring fish passage to critical tidal marsh habitats.

Lindsey Jay Wilson is a member of the Hwlitsum First Nation, located on the banks of the Fraser River in Canoe Pass. His ancestors were Salmon People; they travelled the coast and Lindsey is honoured and grateful to follow in their footsteps, gaining knowledge and wisdom from Elders coastwide. He has an intimate understanding and vast knowledge of the tides and winds of the entire B.C. Coast. When Lindsey is not commercial fishing, he works with biologists and environmental organizations, traveling around the mouth of the Fraser River and the Salish Sea.

Chris Jenkins has been honing his passion for filmmaking and photography since he was a child. Graduating from the Bachelor or Motion Picture Arts program at Capilano University in 2020, Chris has dedicated his life to his passion of storytelling. While Chris has gained valuable experience from working on large scale productions in “Hollywood North,” his true passion is with his work in the documentary and independent scene. Chris has always believed the best way to tell a story is to “show not tell” and employs this strategy every time he is behind the camera.

Fin Donnelly was elected MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain in the 2020 general election. He is Parliamentary Secretary for Watershed Restoration. He is a member of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fish, and Food, and the Special Committee to Appoint a Merit Commissioner. Prior to running for provincial office, Fin served as a Coquitlam City Councillor from 2002-2009, and Member of Parliament for New Westminster-Coquitlam and Port Moody-Coquitlam from 2009-2019. Fin was also a well-known community and environmental advocate. He completed fourteen environmental marathon swims, including twice swimming the 1,375 km length of the Fraser River. In 1996, he founded the Rivershed Society of BC.

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RSVPs are not required, but are appreciated.
Please email Shayla Auld at [email protected]

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