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Authentic Indigenous Seafood: A commitment to community, sustainability, and tradition

Gitanyow Fishery. Photo, Authentic Indigenous Seafood.

By Buy BC
April 8, 2025

With 17 fishing communities in B.C., Authentic Indigenous Seafood (AIS) stands as a proud example of Indigenous ownership, cultural celebration and environmental stewardship. This cooperative of Indigenous commercial fishing enterprises is redefining the seafood industry by offering sustainably harvested products that are rooted in the traditions and values of the Indigenous communities that power the cooperative.   

Buy BC Brand Ambassador Chanelle Saks Sullivan sat down with Mike McLean, the Production and Sales Manager for AIS, at their storage facility on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nation. Their conversation highlighted the critical role that sustainability, traceability, and cultural heritage play in the co-op’s operations. These practices have a significant impact on both the local environment and Indigenous communities.  

100% Indigenous owned

Authentic Indigenous Seafood Candied Salmon packages fanned out on a wood background
Authentic Indigenous Seafood Candied Salmon: Sockeye, Keta, Coho. Chinook, Pink. Photo, Authentic Indigenous Seafood.

When asked what consumers should know about Authentic Indigenous Seafood, McLean spoke passionately about the co-op’s commitment to Indigenous ownership and local sourcing.   

“AIS is a fisheries cooperative of Indigenous commercial fishing enterprises. We are 100% Indigenous owned, and all our products are 100% Canadian sourced,” he explained.   

Their products reflect the rich cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples but also a deep respect for the environment they depend on. For AIS, the connection between the traditional lands and waters is closely tied to the co-op’s approach to food security.   

“It means food security for the Indigenous communities that do the harvesting. It means smaller, artisanal, sustainable harvests. It means First Nation stewardship of the resource,” McLean noted.    

Coast Tsimshian Fishery.
Babine Fishery. Photos, Authentic Indigenous Seafood.

This is not just about fishing for food but about preserving the ecosystem. Indigenous seafood holds a deeply personal significance for McLean.

“It means restoring the fishing rights – that were stolen 150 years ago – back to the Indigenous communities so they can harvest their traditional foods for food and cultural use,” he reflected.    

For him, the work of AIS provides financial prospects for Indigenous peoples and supports sovereignty and cultural practices.  

 “In the case of the fisheries, if there is a surplus after food, cultural and spawning requirements are met, it means economic opportunity for those same communities,” McLean added.  

Sustainability and traceability

Sustainability and traceability are central to AIS’s ethos. This ensures that consumers are not just enjoying high-quality seafood but are also part of a greater narrative that honours Indigenous knowledge and stewardship.  

McLean explained, “Sustainability is important so that generations to come have access to the resource indefinitely. Traceability is important because we want everyone who purchases and eats our products to know where the fish came from, which Indigenous community caught it, and the stories and history that make them special.”    

Candied Sockeye Salmon.
Gitanyow sockeye salmon smoking.
Gitanyow Fishery. Photos, Authentic Indigenous Seafood.

Find Authentic Indigenous Seafood

When it comes to recommending a product, McLean’s enthusiasm is contagious. His personal favourites include the Pangnirtung Arctic Char Lox— frozen, and the Tsu-ma-uss Chinook Candy—shelf stable. Both, he says, embody the cooperative’s commitment to quality and traditional methods.  

Pangnirtung Fisheries air dried Arctic Char.
Candied Chinook Salmon. Photos, Authentic Indigenous Seafood.

For those looking to try Authentic Indigenous Seafood, their products are available online and in Safeway, IGA, Thrifty Foods, and more than a hundred independently owned retail stores across B.C., including in the Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland, Thompson-Okanagan, Terrace, and Prince Rupert regions. As the co-op’s influence and reach continues to grow, McLean added, they are making progress selling in Calgary, Alberta.  

At its core, Authentic Indigenous Seafood is about more than just seafood. It’s about empowering Indigenous communities, supporting traditions, and building a sustainable future for the long term. 

Four packages of Authentic Indigenous Seafood Candied Salmon sitting on rocks with a flowing river in the background.
Authentic Indigenous Seafood Candied Salmon; Sockeye, Pink, Coho, and Chinook. Photo, Authentic Indigenous Seafood

Learn more about Authentic Indigenous Seafood, order their products or find a retailer near you by visiting authenticindigenousseafood.ca. 

Find more Indigenous-owned businesses and products in Buy BC blogs and recipes.