Thompson Okanagan | British Columbia Assembly of First Nations

Languages	FN Population	Total Pop’n	Pop’n % FN
Secwepemctsín Nłeʔkepmxcín Nsyilxcən	18,712	520,800	3.59%

Regional Description

The region encompasses 94,199 square kilometres of land, stretching from Princeton and the Cascade Mountains in the west to the Monashee Mountains and the Alberta border in the east; and from the Washington state border in the south up to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains in the north. This area is renowned for its sunny climate, beautiful landscapes, and in the south, Canada’s only desert terrain. With approximately 545,500 residents, it is the third most populous development region in B.C. after Lower Mainland Southwest and Vancouver Island and Coast. Approximately 3.43% of the Thompson Okanagan regional population are First Nations.

The region’s moderate climate has, since time immemorial, made it a desirable and fruitful place to live. Its mountains, rivers, large lakes, and fertile valleys comprise the traditional territory of numerous First Nations: towards the region’s western border lie the eastern reaches of the Sto:lo territory; in the south central portion of the region lies the traditional territories of the Nlaka’pamux and Okanagan, respectively centred around the Nicola and Okanagan valleys. Further north, towards and beyond Kamloops is traditional Secwepemc territory.

See the Thompson Okanagan map

The original inhabitants of the Thompson Okanagan region relied heavily on its rivers, valleys and mountain passes, which provided “highways” to access the resources that sustained a productive and organized socioeconomic system. Salmon were fished from the rivers and streams, game was hunted in the forests, mountains and grasslands, and plants and medicines were gathered throughout the territory, all the while supporting a robust system of trade, kinship, and governance between neighbouring nations.
The large-scale settler economy was preceded by an early fur-trade and homesteading era. The first large period of non-Indigenous economic growth took the form of a large gold rush in the mid-to-late 1800’s. This gold rush attracted a number of Europeans, many of whom immigrated north from the United States, creating an unprecedented demand for goods, services, and land. As agriculture expanded in the fertile region, First Nations were forced off their land where the settler economy deemed necessary.
By the mid-to-late twentieth century, the Thompson Okanagan economy had established itself as one of the province’s more diversified economies, with strong bases in agriculture, the service sector, logging, and manufacturing, though mining still exists in the region. Noteworthy achievements in Indigenous economic reconciliation have been made, with numerous First Nations-led real estate development, hospitality, and tourism projects in the south-central part of the region setting a global example of what opportunities can be possible.
Like the southern districts of the Vancouver Island and Coast region, the Thompson-Okanagan’s moderate climate and scenic beauty have attracted both tourism and population inflow, especially by retirees, over many years. This, in turn, has brought pension and investment income to the region and stimulated development, construction, and service sector employment.
Today, the region’s economy is a diverse mix of industries that is predominantly service-based, although its historic industrial base of forestry, mining, and agriculture remains important. The trade sector as well as the health care and social assistance industry are the development region’s top two employers, followed by various forms of manufacturing, accommodation and food services. The region has also become an important centre for post-secondary education.
Development corporations— owned collectively by aligned Nations or by individual First Nations— are the primary vehicles by which First Nations pursue and advocate for sustainable economic development, and can be explored through the Community Profiles Section of this database.
Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, also known as SNTC, was formed in 1980 as an effort of the Secwepemc chiefs to advance the issues and Aboriginal rights of the following Shuswap First Nations: Adams Lake, Bonaparte, Neskonlith, Shuswap, Simpcw, Skeetchestn, Splatsín, Tk’emlúps, Whispering Pines/Clinton. Note: several SNTC bands are located outside the Thompson Okanagan region.
www.shuswapnation.org
Nicola Tribal Association is an alliance between eight First Nation communities, all located within a 115-kilometre radius of Merritt, British Columbia, in the Nicola Valley, along the Thompson River, and Fraser Canyon. The NTA Membership Communities are: Nooaitch, Shackan, Coldwater, Siska, Nicomen, Cook’s Ferry, Upper Nicola, and Lower Nicola.
www.nicolatribal.com
Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) was formed in 1981 as the inaugural First Nations government in the Okanagan. It represents the eight member communities including: Okanagan Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, Westbank First Nation, Penticton Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Lower and Upper Similkameen Indian Bands and the Colville Confederated Tribes.
www.syilx.org
Nlaka’pamux First Nation Tribal Council is comprised of six Nlaka’pamux First Nations: Boothroyd, Boston Bar, Spuzzum, Skuppah, Oregon Jack Creek, and Lytton. Boothroyd, Boston Bar, and Spuzzum are located within the Lower Mainland Southwest region, while Spuzzum, Skuppah, and Oregon Jack Creek fall within the Thompson Okanagan region.