An image-led journey of the decline of wild salmon on the Fraser River.

A note from the author

The Last Salmon Run was created out of my own desire to produce a visually-led story about the multifactorial nature of Pacific salmon decline, through both a scientific and Indigenous knowledge lens. I have not attempted to include all of the reasons for dwindling salmon populations (where would you stop?), but to touch on many reasons, and in doing so, I hope to illustrate the complex nature of the decline, and its fatal implications on the ecology and Peoples in British Columbia.

I am so grateful to the people and communities that offered me their time and advice throughout this journey. If I attempt to list you all, I'll only leave people out, but I would like to mention Kwantlen Nation for inviting me to their First Salmon Ceremony, Dr. Andrea Reid for her important lessons on protocol and for introducing me to wonderful Bobo, Dr. Scott Hinch for loaning me a beautiful book that had great influence in the early days on this project, Dr. Kristi Miller and her entire lab for having me along on field trips and for tirelessly explaining the science to me, and finally Dr. Gideon Mordecai for his never-ending support and encouragement without which, I wouldn't have considered this project possible.

Photography as a form of communication knows no boundaries, and though this story necessitates explanation through words, it is driven by photographs with the hope that I am able to communicate a complex narrative to diverse audiences of multiple age groups.

I hope you enjoy.

Amy

 
 

A selection of hand-crafted education materials focusing on salmon, traditional knowledge and photographic theory for ages 14 and above, will be launched here.

  • Traditional knowledge, protocol and ethics

    Discussions and activities for settlers on protocol, responsible use of Indigenous terminology and how to tackle problems and find solutions through Dr. Albert Marshall’s Two Eyed Seeing approach. Make a pledge and learn how to begin decolonizing your thinking.

    Enter

  • Photography and media theory

    Discussions and activities on photography and media ethics, including thinking as a newsroom editor and building your own picture story.

    Enter

  • Western science: salmon and the Fraser River

    Discussions and activities based on the health of salmon and the ecosystem, specific to The Last Salmon Run story. Take a knowledge test, make a pledge and design your own conservation sticker.

    Enter

“We may not realize until salmon populations are functionally gone, how critically important they are in the various food webs they exist in.”

— Dylan Shea, PhD candidate, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto

Be in touch

info[at]amyromer.com
(604) 213-2441

North Vancouver, BC

 

If you have a question, comment or or just want to chat about all things salmon or visual storytelling, I’d love to hear from you.