Aboriginal harvesters dominate

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The Spawn on Kelp Operators Association (SOKOA) plans to launch its Gold Komochi Konbu brand for British Columbia's spawn on kelp industry at the Listel Vancouver Hotel on Jan. 31.

Japan is the foremost market for spawn on kelp, but demand is rapidly increasing in British Columbia and in Los Angeles, Hawaii and New York.

It's the result of First Nations' enterprise that the delicacy comes to the table in this part of the world.

Gina Johansen, SOKOA's executive director, said First Nations hold nearly all the 46 spawn on kelp licences on the British Columbia coast. Of the 46 licences, 16 bands account for 26 of them; most of the others are held by individual First Nation people. Only about eight are held by non-Native people, Johansen said.

Also, it was an established First Nation artist, Roy Henry Vickers, who created the brand symbol that is making its debut.

The brand symbol reflects West Coast First Nations' culture, the friendly relationship between the province's First Nations and Japanese people, and the natural beauty of British Columbia.

Vickers said, "The canoe is symbolic of our travel and trade across the waters; the traditional herring egg design announces that the herring moon has risen over our waters; and the waves beneath the canoe reveal the kelp ready for the traditional spawn.

"So we still travel the ocean in our sacred canoe, sharing our songs with the world, and each year when the herring moon comes, we harvest what we call BC Gold."

Both First Nations and Japanese traditions and entertainment will be included in the celebration, the highlight of which will be the association's premier chef's challenge-Iron Chef Goes Gold. The chefs, mainly Japanese except for Dolly Watts of the Liliget Feast House of Vancouver, will create dishes featuring BC Gold Komochi Konbu. Guests get to vote for the winner of the BC Gold People's Choice Award.