Story and photograph by Castlegar News reporter Betsy Kline. This content first appeared in the Castlegar News on April 23, 2026. Selkirk College is grateful for the ongoing support of regional media.
Members of the Indigenous, Selkirk College and local communities gathered together on April 17 to welcome the sculpture Coyote Bringing Us Salmon to the Selkirk College Castlegar Campus.
The intricate carving was crafted by Slocan Valley Blackfoot artist Chad Thompson in collaboration with acclaimed Russian carver Dmitrii Klimenko. It depicts an Indigenous origin story of coyote bringing salmon to the Columbia River Watershed nations.
Read the full story on the Castlegar News website.
Photo caption: (L-R) Selkirk College Indigenous student navigator Rodney Noskiye, Selkirk College president Maggie Matear, Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society co-ordinator Gerry Nellestijn, artist Chad Thompson, Indigenous elder D.R. Michel, Sinixt Elder Richard Desautel, Selkirk College representative Jennie Barron and Metis Elder Gerry Rempel welcome Coyote Bringing Us Salmon. (Photo: Betsy Kline/Castlegar News)