Steveston Fishing-Net Needle Weaves a Mourning Echo of Lost Souls at Sea
Steveston BC has always been a fishing village. First, it provided a livelihood for the Musqueam First Nations people who lived here for centuries. Then came early-settlers of European and Japanese ancestries attracted by the vast resources at sea.
Ocean fishing is a dangerous profession. Capsizes or being washed overboard happened often in the choppy sea where salmons and shell-fish thrived. Every parting at the mouth of the Fraser River could be the last. When fishermen were out at sea for days and never returned, family members on shore could only imagine the worst and mourn their loved ones. Accept the fate was never easy but they did realize that you live by the sea, you could just die by it.
Years later, memories were passed on from generation to generation. On May 04, 1996, a monument was finally erected at Garry Point Park to honour those fishermen who were lost at sea. They not only gave their lives in supporting their families but also played a critical role in building the community that made Steveston what it is today. A large fishing-net needle used to repair nets were chosen as the design with the following words inscribed, “This memorial honours all the fishermen of our community who have lost their lives in the pursuit of their profession. Their courage, dedication and contribution to the development of our community will never be forgotten.”
