In commemoration of Canada’s 150th, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society presents The Pull of the Net: Speakers’ Series, a free summer program to celebrate the importance of fishing to Richmond’s past, present, and future. Presented from four unique perspectives, topics will explore fishing’s cultural and economic importance, bridging past and present to create a greater understanding of Richmond’s human history and the community’s strong ties to fishing. All presentations will take place inside the Boiler House Theatre at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, on Saturdays at 2pm.

The series begins on Saturday June 10th at 2 pm with a focus on Aboriginal connections to the Fraser River, featuring a presentation by Stó:lō Cultural Historian Dr. Sonny McHalsie and a screening of a short film that shares Stó:lō and Musqueam oral histories of how salmon came to the Fraser River.
On Saturday July 15th Richmond councillor Harold Steves and local historian Bud Sakamoto will shed light on how immigration from many parts of the world shaped local fishing practices and helped build the multicultural society we know today.

On Saturday August 12th the talk will feature a panel of speakers who will discuss the current fisheries and the history of fishing on the BC coast. We will examine how this extremely active contemporary industry continues to shape our coastal communities, build cultural relationships, and grow our provincial and national economies.
The Pull of the Net Speakers’ Series wraps up on Saturday September 23rd with Fisher Poets, a celebration of the allure of fishing. Commercial fishers inspired by fishing the waterways of BC’s rugged West Coast will share their original works of poetry and song.

The speakers’ series program is a recipient of the City of Richmond’s Canada 150 grant initiative to assist community partners in staging their own Canada 150 events and activities. Richmond Canada 150 ignites the passions of the citizens of Richmond in a multi-faceted, year-long celebration, honours Richmond’s distinct and vibrant cultural diversity, and leaves lasting legacies that foster civic pride and carry the spirit of 150 into the future.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site of Canada is operated by the non-profit Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, on behalf of Parks Canada.
Location: 12138 Fourth Avenue at Moncton, Richmond (Steveston Village).
Hours: Open daily, year round from 10am-5pm. Call 604-664-9009 for details. www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.org