Young 'Salmon Warriors' restore Okanagan creeks as sockeye return for the first time in a century

For the first time in nearly a century, sockeye salmon are freely returning to Okanagan Lake and its tributaries to spawn.

For decades, a dam at the mouth of the lake blocked their passage, but a new fishway built by the Syilx Okanagan Nation now lets the salmon complete their historic migration.

The milestone is the latest step in decades of restoration work aimed at bringing sockeye back to the area.

Through the Salmon Warriors program, a group of young adults learn are learning how to restore salmon habitat as they reconnect with the land and their cultural practices.

The participants are young adults from the Syilx Okanagan, Ktunaxa, and Secwépemc Nations. WATCH | Salmon habitat restored:

Salmon Warriors restore spawning grounds as sockeye return to Okanagan October 24 |