Sid Quinn (skénáw)
Sid Quinn passed away on June 5, 2025. On June 28, at a crowded memorial at the shíshálh Nation Hall, indigenous and non-native citizens alike expressed deep love and respect for the astounding contributions to the shishálh community and environmental sustainability of the nation’s swiya by this remarkable man.
Sid’s 43 years of service were not limited to the shíshálh people. Sid was all about sustainability and community, and his community included the whole Sunshine Coast.
The entire population of the Coast, regardless of racial or social standing, has benefited from the conservation work of Sid Quinn. During Sid’s many years leading the shíshálh Resource Management Department, his actions benefited ecosystems, fish and wildlife and all human residents.
Just a few examples where Sid played a primary or behind-the-scenes role include:
- managing the successful fish hatchery for many years
- taking an active role in the development of the Tetrahedron Provincial Park Management Plan
- protecting critical winter goat range on the Coast
- saving the endangered Sakinaw Salmon
- stopping commercial logging in the Chapman and Grey Creek Community Watersheds
- rehabilitating the lower reaches of Sakinaw Creek
In 2016, the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association honoured the shíshálh Nation with its Environmental Achievement Award in recognition of their outstanding leadership in environmental stewardship—leadership that was, in large part, due to the vision and dedication of Sid Quinn.
An intensely honourable, active and community man has now moved on. We should all be thankful that skénáw was with us, if even for a while.
George Smith, on behalf of the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association