Indigenous Peoples

THIS LAND. THEIR LAND.

In acknowledging that the land on which we work and live is the traditional homeland of the Sinixt, the Ktunaxa, the Métis and other diverse Aboriginal peoples, the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce and its Visitor Information Centre honour our collective connection to the land and rivers, with respect to the importance of the environment, and our strength and character as a community.

For thousands of years, the First People stewarded their ways of life, culture and trade. The Sinixt and Yaqan Nukiy-Ktunaxa fished the rivers, creeks and lakes, hunted and picked berries in the mountains. The land beneath the historic Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Centre was once a seasonal wetland, where the Sinixt cultivated and harvested nourishing roots. We honor the First People and share their goals of prosperity, opportunity and inclusion for all.

After Canada denied their existence for over half a century, the Sinixt mark their Supreme Court of Canada victory with a gathering and a canoe journey in June 2022. Photo: Mike Graeme

WHO ARE THE WEST KOOTENAY’S FIRST PEOPLE?

THE KTUNAXA

Ktunaxa elder in regalia next to a teepee at St Eugene Golf Resort. Photo: Kari Medig / Destination BC

For over 10,000 years, the Ktunaxa (pronounced ‘k-too-nah-ha’) people have lived along Kootenay Lake, as well as the lands within modern day boundaries of BC, Alberta, Montana, Washington and Idaho. Migrating throughout the seasons following the water, and protection from the elements, they hunted, collected herbs, medicines and vegetables, and prospered for centuries. Ktunaxa citizenship is comprised of six bands, which were created following European settlement and the establishment of Indian Reserves in the late 1800s. One of those bands is the Ya-qan Nukiy, or Lower Kootenay Band, based in and around what is now Creston and the ʔaq̓am community, which rests alongside the East Kootenay’s St. Mary’s River as it approaches the Kootenay River, with the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west. The Ktunaxa language is known as a “cultural isolate language” – a unique language unlike and un-related to any other in the world, and also critically endangered.

THE SINIXT

After Canada denied their existence for over half a century, the Sinixt mark their Supreme Court of Canada victory with a gathering and a canoe journey in June 2022. Photo: Mike Graeme

The Sinixt people (pronounced Sin-EYE-ch-kiss-tuh) lived for millennia in the Columbia, Kootenay, Slocan, Kettle and Lardeau/Duncan River valleys without an international boundary to divide them. In 1956, the Canadian government declared them “extinct,” barring them from 80 percent of their traditional territory. In 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed their Aboriginal right to hunt in their traditional territory. The ruling opened a pathway for the people of Washington State’s Colville Confederated Tribes reservation to return to their homeland. In the West Kootenay, the Sinixt are bringing their vibrant culture back to the land and water, working for healthy natural habitats for fish, animals, and birds. At the centre of work led by the Colville Tribe’s Fish and Wildlife Department is the restoration of ocean salmon, blocked from the region in 1942 by the Grand Coulee Dam in Central Washington.

THE METIS

The origin of the Métis Nation (pronounced may-tee’) is complex and at time contentious. One of three recognized Aboriginal peoples in Canada, Metis are of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. They originated largely in Western Canada in the 19th century, with many of Canada’s Metis originating from Manitoba’s Red River Settlement. Today, there are 22,000 provincially registered Metis Citizens in BC, some right here in the West Kootenay, and 39 chartered communities across the province. The Metis’ original language is Michif.

WÀY, KI’SUK KYUKYIT, AND GREETINGS!

Now more than ever, we are all connected. Here are a few of the venues that help us understand more about this land’s deep First Nations ties, truth and reconciliation.

Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus Indigenous Gathering Space

The gathering space build from large wood rounds at Selkirk College 10th Street Campus.

Overlooking the West Arm of Kootenay Lake and a traditional travel route of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa before colonial settlement, this beautiful wood and tin structure mirrors a similar building at Selkirk’s Castlegar Campus. Serving as both an Indigenous gathering and ceremonial space for the entire community.

Learn More

Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort

Owned and operated by the Lower Kootenay Band of Creston, the springs were for centuries a place where the region’s First People embraced the nupika wu’u, Spirit Water, or hot mineral waters, for their healing and rejuvenating powers. A resort constructed by settlers has welcomed guests since the 1930s. The Ktanaxa Grill offers fare including bannock, bison, wild boar and free run elk, all from nearby Yaqan Nukiy Farms.

ainsworthhotsprings.com

Snk’mip Marsh Sanctuary

Located at the north end of Slocan Lake, Snk’mip (“sink-meep”) means “head of the lake” in Sinixt language. This marshland remediation project has seen the replantation of over 1,000 trees and shrubs, and serves as a refuge corridor for ungulates, carnivores, birds, and amphibians. Slocan, or Słəw̓ qin̓, means “pierce/strike on the head,” referring to tribal fishing for salmon that swam almost 2,000 kilometers from the Pacific to spawn in the Slocan River, nourishing Sinixt villages throughout the valley.

Learn More

Nelson Murals

Photo: Emilee Wheeler of Electrify Photography / Nelson International Mural Festival

More than 60 incredible works of mural art — over a dozen of them created by Indigenous artists — adorn building exteriors throughout Nelson. At the corner of Hall and Baker, a mural completed in 2022 by Sinixt member Ric Gendron during the Nelson International Mural Festival pays homage to the Columbia River watershed’s sacred salmon, and to sńḱlip, or, Coyote, the Sinixt trickster who led the salmon up from the ocean to feed the people.

ndac.ca/nelson-international-mural-festival

Nelson Museum & Archive

Committed to meaningful partnerships with the Nations of this unceded territory, NMAG is a cultural and educational hub, art gallery, and caretaker of the region’s history. The venue is in the midst of updating its Indigenous content, through decolonization informed by First Nations, the United Nations, Canada’s Federal Government and the BC Museums Association Repatriation Call to Action.

nelsonmuseum.ca

Welcome to Nelson

Whether you’re waving hello or farewell to town, you’ll see the City of Nelson’s new welcome signs. Built in near replica to the gateway signage originally carved and designed 1968, the new signs include greetings in Southern Interior Salish and Ktunaxa languages.

Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre

The Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre is where our people come together to give visitors a taste of our rich heritage, mythology and culture. Located in the Mission building at St Eugene, which was also once a former residential school, guests are encouraged to view the many historic artifacts, contemporary art, archival photographs and displays containing examples of traditional stone, bead, hide, wood and cloth work.

Learn More

INDIGENOUS BUSINESSES

Our First People built systems of trade that stewarded traditional ways of life for thousands of years. Today, from traditional lands to main streets to global markets, those means of economy have evolved along with modern day commerce and innovation to include investment and employment opportunities, natural resources management and community enterprise. The Kootenay’s First People share goals of prosperity, opportunity and inclusion for all.

We’re all in business now

In this era of reconciliation First Nations, government, Chambers of Commerce, small business and corporate stakeholders alike are moving forward to reframe the new realities of cross-cultural economic development. This guide provides contact information and opportunities for engagement with Indigenous business owners and leaders, as well as quick case studies that highlight best practices and proof of concept. First Nations throughout the Kootenays now offer a full range of business services with analysis of environmental, social and economic development objectives that respect their traditional values and knowledge and need for sustainability. These economic development organizations are ready to work with you.

Ainsworth Hot Spring Resort owned and operated by Yaqan Nukiy, the Lower Kootenay Band of Creston, BC.

INDIGENOUS BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES

Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort

One of the Ktunaxa’s most remarkable economic development efforts is Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort. A place of deep meaning and heritage for the Ktunaxa, the resort was purchased by the Yaqan Nukiy, Lower Kootenay Band, in in 2015. Ainsworth is a pillar in the region’s tourism sector, a vital creator of jobs and economic spin off, and a world-class destination for relaxation and enjoyment for visitors from around the world.

The Value of Natural Capital in the Columbia River Basin: A Comprehensive Analysis

In 2017, the Upper Columbia United Tribes helped fund a sweeping review of the Columbia River Basin and the management of its assets. The report showed that modernizing dam management and increasing water flows in below average water years would enhance The Basin’s natural capital value by enhancing salmon runs. If a modest 10 per cent increase in ecosystem-based function could be achieved, it would further add $19 billion per year to The Basin’s value.

St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino

Once part-owned by three distant bands, the Ktunaxa Nation regained whole ownership of the resort in 2017. Today, the world-class destination features a three-star three-story hotel, casino and 18 hole golf course designed by the legendary Les Furber.

Nupku Development Corporation

Started in 1997, then renamed in 2009, Nupku specializes in natural resource management consulting and contracting services within the Ktunaxa Traditional Territory. Owned by all the Ktunaxa Nation communities and associated with Ktunaxa Enterprises Ltd., the Nation’s business development arm.

CONTACTS

Indigenous business experts, business development units and contact information.

Ktunaxa Ready website showcases Ktunaxa businesses to promote business to business relationships. Ktunaxa Ready makes it easy to identify Ktunaxa businesses and the intent is to provide information and contact details to simplify the process of making direct contact.

connect@ktunaxaready.com
220 Cranbrook Street
Cranbrook, BC

ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises (ACE) is the community’s Community Development Corporation, administering and managing a number of business development initiatives, including community-owned development initiatives in business, resources, strategic partnerships, airport lands development and leasing, tourism, culture and hospitality, and agriculture.

www.InvestAqam.com
250-426-5717
7470 Mission Road
Cranbrook, BC. V1C 7E5

Yaqan Nukiy Lower Kootenay Band — Historically and since time immemorial, the Lower Kootenay Band, locally known as Yaqan Nukiy were the original inhabitants of the Lower Kootenay area. The name Yaqan Nukiy literally means “where the rock stands” and refers to an important place in the Creston Valley.

Lower Kootenay Band Administration
lowerkootenay.com
3425 Old Community Road
Creston BC
V0B 1G2

250-428-4428
reception@lowerkootenay.com

Colville Tribes — The Sinixt Confederacy has an office in Nelson. Located at Suite 202-514 Vernon Street, it’s open to anyone who wants to learn more about the Confederacy, whether you’re a member of the public or a representative of a B.C. corporation, the Provincial or Federal governments. The office was opened in late 2023 for the purpose of consultation with the Sinixt regarding development, business operation, land use and resource extraction within their territory.

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
colvilletribes.com
21 Colville St. Nespelem, WA
United States
509-634-2200

Sinixt Confederacy
sinixt.com