Watershed Talk > About Watershed Talk

About Watershed Talk

Since January 6, 1995

Background information
Submission Guidelines

Background information

Watershed Talk tries to capture the interest of all First Nations within the Fraser Watershed with current issues and topics of ongoing concern to the Aboriginal fishery. Communication is encouraged and ongoing on a continuous watershed-wide scale, through community profiles, articles from bands of interest to the First Nations, press releases and updates from the fisheries representatives.

This collaborative weekly series newsletter is coordinated from the office of the FRAFS in Kamloops and it's goal is to distribute technical information in a timely and efficient manner via fax and Internet. The latest development with Watershed Talk is its placement on the Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries Home page, to improve the communication flow among First Nations, DFO and the general public.

In 1998, concerns were raised over the content of some newsletters specifically dealing with territorial disputes and claims. A request was made for the review of the editorial process and recommendations were made by the Fraser Watershed Steering Committee for the development of a mechanism to ensure the integrity of the newsletter is maintained.

"Upcoming Meetings" This is the smallest but definitely the most read and referred to column by fisheries representatives on the Fraser. This calendar of upcoming meetings and events within the communities around the Fraser Watershed represents a time line of historically significant events in the watershed.

The opinions in Watershed Talk are not necessarily those of the Secretariat.

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Submission Guidelines

Submission Categories:

Ask the Expert	Q & A on topical technical issues
Community & Project Stories	Highlights from active or recent initiatives, unique projects
Letters to the Editor/Editorials	Soapbox for opinions
Historical, Traditional & Cultural Stories	Learn from the past; different ways of knowing
Threats to Fish	Proposed works, flood danger, downstream impacts, etc.
Policy & Legal Issues	Impacts to fish, fish habitat
Funding Source of the Month	Summary of a new funding source
Upcoming Events	Celebrations, workshops, public meetings, open houses, etc.

Editorial Polices:

Editor reserves the right to change the headline
Submissions will be proof-read and may be edited for clarity and brevity
If substantial changes are recommended, will return to writer with editorial comments before publication
By line will include writer’s name, organization, email address, and logo (optional)
If being reprinted, original publication will be credited
Letters to the editor must be signed; names will be published

Submission Content:

Write for a general audience, limit technical jargon and unexplained references
Maintain a fish or fish habitat focus
Editor reserves the right to refuse publication for any reason
Submissions must be newsworthy and of interest to our audiences
Personal opinion and analysis is encouraged; can criticize a policy or program, but not an individual
Will need approval for use of direct quotes
Use weblinks for background or further information
1 photo maximum per submission

Graphics:

logos, photos, headshot of writer
black & white or colour
jpeg format
small is better; 50 – 150K

Submission Guidelines:

400 – 1000 words
MS Word format
Email to Jason Yarmish at [email protected] by Wednesday of each week

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