Kootenay | British Columbia Assembly of First Nations

Languages	FN Population	Total Population	Population % First Nation
Ktunaxa Secwepemctsín	1,381	146,300	0.94%

Regional Description

The Kootenay region encompasses 57,720 square kilometres of land in the southeast corner of B.C. and is the second smallest region in the province. Largely rural in nature, the region extends from Radium Hot Springs in the north to the US border in the south, and from the city of Greenwood in the west across the Monashee, Selkirk, and Purcell Mountains to the Municipality of Sparwood in the Rocky Mountains to the east. Cranbrook is the largest population and commercial centre in the region. Approximately 1% of the region’s 148,300 residents are First Nations.

The pristine rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains of the Kootenay region are primarily the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa ethnic group, who have inhabited the area (as well as parts of modern-day Montana, Washington and Idaho) since time immemorial. It is the Ktunaxa after whom the region draws its name. The Ktunaxa are linguistically distinct from other First Nations. The western stretches of the Kootenay region are also considered traditional Okanagan and Secwepemc territory.

See the Kootenay map

The traditional Kootenay economy revolved around seasonal use of the diverse natural resources in the region. The Kootenay River served as a transportation artery and food source, as well as a primary site for many Ktunaxa villages. Like much of the rest of British Columbia, the settler economy brought unprecedented development of the natural resources sector, with timber harvesting becoming the region’s first commercial industry in the mid 1800’s. Coal was discovered in the late 1800’s; mining began before the turn of the 20th century and now, along with the extraction of other minerals, makes up a significant portion of the regional economy. Today, the Kootenay economy also includes tourism and outdoor recreation, with numerous “restored heritage towns,” as well as vibrant arts and cultural events.
Regional First Nations, as members of the Ktunaxa Nation, are actively involved in the regional economy, working alongside communities, partners and neighbours, to achieve sustainable economic growth through equitable access to economic resources and opportunities, while respecting Ktunaxa culture and values.
Today, the main pillars of the Kootenay regional economy continue to be tourism, mining, and forestry, with much of regional employment existing directly in, or in support of these three sectors. Coal extraction from multiple mines in the region’s Elk Valley— home to the largest coalfields in the province— continues to provide significant employment. A progressive Impact Management Benefits Agreement has been signed between the communities of the Ktunaxa Nation and Teck Resources, a primary mining proponent in the area.
Lumber and pulp production continue to be important industries throughout the region. Towards the southern regional boundary, zinc and lead smelting and refining, as well as wood products manufacturing play key roles. A spectrum of all-season recreation, tourism, and cultural activities and amenities throughout the region make tourism a year-round income generator.
The Ktunaxa Nation Industry Engagement Officers work to continue building economic partnerships throughout the entire Ktunaxa Territory with special emphasis on economic capacity.
Ktunaxa Nation is comprised of four individual First Nations communities: ?Akisq’nuk, St. Mary’s (ʔaq̓am), Tobacco Plains (ʔakink̓umǂasnuqǂiʔit), and Lower Kootenay (yaqan nuykiy). It seeks to manage Ktunaxa lands and resources, uphold Ktunaxa culture, and improve the lives of its members as a self sufficient, self-governing Nation.
www.ktunaxa.org
Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Council is the Treaty negotiation arm of the Ktunaxa Nation.
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. Only the Shuswap First Nation is located the Kootenay region, with the others located within the Thompson Okanagan and Cariboo Regions.