Celebrating the Life and Spirit of Our Rivers
Join us on a breathtaking journey tracing rivers from their mountain sources to the open ocean — and meet the people who protect them.
“Rivers are the arteries of our planet; they are lifelines in the truest sense.”
In Burnaby, our rivers and creeks carry history and hope. The Brunette River meanders from Burnaby Lake to the mighty Fraser River. For thousands of years, these waters have been central to the lives of the Coast Salish peoples — the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Kwikwetlem Nations. To them, rivers are more than water: they are food, culture, medicine, and memory.Today, as we walk along Still Creek and listen to the rushing waters of Eagle Creek, we are reminded that these rivers once teemed with salmon and nourished towering cedar forests. Though industry and urban expansion weakened their vitality, through restoration and stewardship they are slowly regaining their life.From BC to the World
World Rivers Day was born in British Columbia, initiated by river advocate Mark Angelo. What began as a local initiative has grown into a global movement — celebrated in over a hundred countries by millions of people. It reminds us that whether it is the Amazon, the Nile, the Ganges, or the Fraser, every river is a thread in the tapestry of life.
The Challenges We Face
Rivers are under pressure worldwide. Pollution, dams, deforestation, and climate change are eroding their health. Species are disappearing, wetlands are drying up, and floods are becoming more severe. Protecting rivers is not just about scenery; it is about safeguarding drinkable water, food security, biodiversity, and the well-being of future generations.
Restoration & Community
In Burnaby, community efforts show us hope. Volunteers, students, Indigenous stewards, and local groups work tirelessly to restore salmon runs to the Brunette River. They plant trees along the banks, remove invasive species, monitor water quality, and teach the next generation to care for nature. Each small act flows into something greater — just as small streams converge into the sea.
Every year, World Rivers Day invites us not only to celebrate but to act. Rivers do not divide — they connect. Starting as snowmelt in the Coast Mountains, they flow to the Pacific, reaching distant shores. The choices we make here ripple across the globe.
Picture a river that never rests. Rising in the highlands, gathering strength from countless streams, winding through valleys, and finally rushing to the ocean. This journey mirrors our own lives — full of change, energy, and forward motion.
Our Shared Responsibility
World Rivers Day is not just about appreciation — it is a responsibility. We are all guardians of water. Through conservation, sustainable development, and education, we can ensure that rivers flow clear and free.
Imagine Burnaby fifty years from now. Children stand by the Brunette River, watching more salmon return than today. Streams run clear, riverside forests cool the summer air, and the community is strengthened by waters that are protected, respected, and shared. This is the vision World Rivers Day calls us toward.
Let us remember: a river is not just water. It is memory, future, and life.
On this World Rivers Day, here in Burnaby, Canada, we pledge to protect, restore, and celebrate the waters that sustain us all — because rivers are the arteries of the Earth; they are, in the truest sense, our lifelines.
The Storyline
Produced by Sequoia Media, the World Rivers Day Documentary is a heartfelt exploration of our planet’s lifelines. Filmed across British Columbia, the documentary celebrates the beauty, diversity, and resilience of our waterways, while spotlighting the people and communities who dedicate their lives to preserving them.
From Mountains to Ocean
From city streams to hidden creeks, the film reveals how rivers shape landscapes, nurture communities, and inspire generations.
Main Chapters
- The Source of Life — Where the journey begins.
- Rivers and Communities — How rivers sustain cities and cultures.
- Youth in Action — Young storytellers speaking up for the environment.
- A Call for the Future — Our shared responsibility.
“It wasn’t just a film shoot — it was a journey of understanding.”
Featured Voices
- Mark Angelo — Founder of World Rivers Day
- Mike Hurley — Burnaby City Mayor
- James Wang — Burnaby City Councillor
- Xinyi Li — Youth Journalist, Sequoia Media
- Steven Song — Anchor, Sequoia TV
- Yukai Wu — Youth Journalist, Sequoia Media
- Indigenous Leaders
- Burnaby Local Volunteers
Credits
Directed by: Jason Lin, Xinyi Li, Steven Song, Yukai Wu, Rex Liu
Produced by: Sequoia Media | 北美红杉传媒
Written by: Jason Lin, Xinyi Li | Narrated by: Mark Angelo
Filmed & Edited by: Jason Lin, Steven Song
Partners & Supporters
Province of BC · Burnaby City · BC Rivers Day · World Rivers Day Committee · Sequoia Youth Foundation · Vancouver International Volunteer Association · Youth Elite Society · Vancouver Career Fair Club
Every drop tells a story. Every river carries memory, hope, and life.
Join Us
The World Rivers Day Documentary aims to raise awareness about river conservation and to inspire youth participation in environmental storytelling. Share your story, volunteer, or partner with us to support future projects.