https://doi.org/10.54677/HHMI3947

Jardine, Timothy D., Reed, Maureen G., Strickert, Graham, Massie, Merle, McKay-Carriere, Lily, MacColl, Ingrid, Carriere, Renee, Carriere, Solomon, Abu, Razak, Steelman, Toddi (2023). Healthy Delta, Healthy People: The Past, Present and Future of the Saskatchewan River Delta in Wantzen, K.M. (ed.). 2023. River Culture – Life as a Dance to the Rhythm of the Waters. UNESCO Publishing, Paris, XIII + 901 pp.

The Saskatchewan River Delta (SRD) in western Canada formed over the past 10,000years, built by sediment accumulation and carved by river floods, creating a patchwork of geomorphically-diverse water bodies, each with its own hydrological, biochemical and ecological character. The inland delta became a wildlife hotspot, and Swampy Cree and Métis people were drawn there to live in rhythm with water and wildlife. By the late 1800s, more than 100,000 muskrats were harvested each year in the thriving fur trade. As many or more waterfowl passed through every fall as they migrated along the North American central flyway. Commercial fisheries for sturgeon and walleye provided income and food for residents. Yet the past century has brought several changes to the SRD. The human pop-ulation upstream has grown from less than one million to more than threemillion, bringing conse-quent demands for electricity generated from hydropower and irrigation water for food production. Flows through the SRD have declined and become less predictable. Wildlife population numbers have dropped. The people of the delta now often feel powerless, because their voices are not heard. But there are signs of hope. Delta communities are sustaining culture through a resurgence of lan-guage and on-the-land activities. Knowledge is being handed down to a new generation of delta stewards. Community leaders are pushing for greater accountability from upstream decision-mak-ers and are building capacity to recognize and protect this ecologically, economically and culturally crucial delta.

Chapter 17

https://doi.org/10.54677/HHMI3947