Fisheries biologist and fluvial geomorphologist

Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries Department

I was born in Halq’eméylem as Lhq’á:lets (wide at the bottom) now referred to as Vancouver, British Columbia in the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I currently live and work in the unceded territory of the syilx / Okanagan Territory.

Educational background:

I completed a technical diploma in fisheries from BCIT. I was employed as a fisheries technician and river rafting guide while working toward a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Geography (fluvial geomorphology) at the University of Victoria. I then went on the complete a Masters Degree through the Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New Brunswick. My Masters Degree was multi-disciplinary between fisheries biology and hydraulic engineering looking at types for flow parameters that impact spawning Sockeye Salmon.

Major area of study:

River restoration in regards to salmon spawning and egg incubation habitat through the guidance from Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

Experience related to stream restoration:

I have been working with the Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries Department since 2002 supervising projects such as,

• The Skaha Lake Sockeye re-introduction Program,
• The McIntyre Dam and Skaha Dam fish passage and,
• The Okanagan River Restoration Initiative.
• Shingle Dam removal for fish passage
• Shuttleworth sediment basin fish passage
• Similkameen river bank stabilization and log jam creation

contact

• kalex@syilx.org
• 250-707-0095 ext 301