Fish, in particular, salmon, are important to Falkland artist, hunter and fly tyer Lottie Kozak.

The self-taught artist and former logger has wood carvings of salmon predominantly displayed in her studio off Highway 97, along with drawings, bone, wood, horn and stone carvings, beadwork and necklaces.

Soon, Kozak says, she害羞草研究所檒l have to create her fish work from memory as she害羞草研究所檚 concerned about the dwindling fish stock numbers in the region.

害羞草研究所淟ogging is causing it,害羞草研究所� said Kozak, who won害羞草研究所檛 give her age but says she害羞草研究所檚 been around the North Okanagan 害羞草研究所渕ore than 58 years.害羞草研究所�

Kozak has her work on display at the Salmon Arm Art Gallery through until Aug. 4, part of an exhibition called Slxlxaya: Stories of the Secwepemc Culture, an exhibition featuring art and audio stories by Indigenous artists and storytellers. Kozak will be on hand Thursday to share her story (part of the exhibition害羞草研究所檚 Coffee Break and Artist Talk, which also goes July 19, both starting at 2 p.m.).

She talks about neighbouring Bolean Creek, where she once walked and fished, which flows into the Salmon River. Now, she says, there害羞草研究所檚 not enough water in either body of water to do that.

害羞草研究所淪almon River used to be full of salmon. Now it害羞草研究所檚 nothing. Nothing,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淵ou might see one salmon. It害羞草研究所檚 not just logging. Farmers draw the water out for irrigation. There害羞草研究所檚 just a little trickle of water in that river.害羞草研究所�

Kozak says she害羞草研究所檚 been over to the Adams River in the Shuswap the last five years, the one with the legendary salmon run every fall. Kozak said there害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渉ardly any salmon害羞草研究所� there anymore.

害羞草研究所淥ne year was pretty good, some years there害羞草研究所檚 hardly any,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚 can tell going there and looking at the salmon. Last year, and the year before, there was hardly anything. On the Salmon River, years before, you couldn害羞草研究所檛 walk across the river without hitting a fish.

害羞草研究所淭hey need to get rid of fish farms on the coast, too. It害羞草研究所檚 totally polluting the sea and has a lot to do with the young salmon going out to see. Rivers are so low, how can they survive? So they go out to sea.害羞草研究所�

She also wishes loggers would return to a former practice.

害羞草研究所淭hey used to lay patches of timber along creek beds, they don害羞草研究所檛 do that anymore,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淭hey wipe everything out.害羞草研究所�

Kozak is one of the artists and storytellers partnering that makes up the current display in Salmon Arm.

Ten emerging and mid-career Indigenous artists, including three youth artists, created work that is a mix of contemporary and traditional styles. It visually tells stories in new ways.

Premier John Horgan, meanwhile, announced June 15 that the government is bringing together experts from around the province to develop a strategy for restoring and sustaining B.C.害羞草研究所檚 salmon populations.

The Wild Salmon Advisory Council will provide key insights and guidance on protecting wild salmon and maximizing the value of this important resource for B.C.

害羞草研究所淲ild salmon are crucial to the success of our economy, the prosperity of coastal communities, and the lives, culture, and history of Indigenous peoples,害羞草研究所� Premier Horgan said. 害羞草研究所淭he Wild Salmon Advisory Council brings experts together to help develop a wild salmon strategy to protect B.C. salmon today and for future generations.害羞草研究所�

Co-chairs Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, and Chief Marilyn Slett of the Heiltsuk First Nation will lead the council, as it addresses a wide range of issues affecting wild salmon.