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First Nations in the Similkameen Valley have announced it will be protecting a large swath of land between Cathedral and Manning Provincial Parks.
On Thursday, the First Nations declared the designation of a new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area in the Ashnola River Valley at an event attended by dignitaries, elders, nation members, provincial, federal and local government representatives, and neighbouring nations.
The First Nations say the declaration upholds the inherent jurisdiction and responsibility to protect and manage their territories according to Syilx law.
“We welcome all governments, organizations and individuals who wish to learn more and to work with us, to take advantage of this historic opportunity to align their efforts with our inherent title, laws and management plans,” Keith Crow, Lower Similkameen Chief said in a press release.
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band said that the protection and conservation of the water and tmix (the life force within all four sacred ecosystems) is not the sole burden of their people, but it should be a shared responsibility, including by national, provincial and local governments through communication and collaboration.
"Through the IPCA, the Ashnola Watershed in its entirety will be managed by the [Sylix people] in perpetuity for: the protection of the water, the ancestors and air / climate, in accordance with Syilx law; maintenance and restoration of ecological integrity and cultural interconnection with the territory through active management and teaching."
The band takes great importance in healing and strengthening the interconnected relationships between water, the earth, and all of those who interact with it on the lands.
“The Ashnola is one of the last pristine stream systems in [Sylix] territory. Protecting the cold, pure waters of our watershed is essential if the [Sylix], the land, all beings, as well as settlers to the Similkameen, are to thrive in a time of climate change and increasing water scarcity,” Ira Edward, a Lower Similkameen Councillor said.
A new kiosk and interpretative signage will accompany the Ashnola IPCA designation, which was made at a ceremony in the watershed on Thursday.
Licensees and non-Sylix water and land users in the watershed will be given notice regarding how the new IPCA declaration will affect them.
