1800 – 1830
Trading posts are established within Ktunaxa territory and foreigners are beginning to be seen regularly throughout the region.
The buffalo on the prairies are hunted almost to extinction for their hides. This loss of a primary food source meant that the First Nations are becoming more reliant on alternatives, such as fish. At the same time, a commercial salmon fishery is being established at the mouth of the Columbia River and the Ktunaxa begin to notice a decline in the number of fish returning to spawn. The Columbia River salmon are a major food source to many tribes.
1763 – 1800
The North West Company, a partnership of American and Scottish investors who took advantage of French alliances with Native populations, establishes numerous trading posts throughout Canada.
The fur trade reaches the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and foreign disease appears amongst the Ktunaxa. Smallpox claims a high percentage of the population.
David Thompson is the first non-aboriginal person to be encountered by the Ktunaxa. Two Ktunaxa men meet him near the present site of Fort Edmonton. The Columbia River is of major interest to the explorers. It forms one of the natural boundaries of the Ktunaxa Traditional Territory and has until now helped to keep settlers out of the Columbia Basin. Thompson would be one of the first explorers of the Columbia River system. The Ktunaxa are described as ‘Kootenay’ Indians by Thompson.
The Ktunaxa are introduced to the fur trade and modern commerce. The traditional lifestyle continues for the most part, and the introduction of modern tools and implements has only a slight impact on Ktunaxa society. The attachment to the land is still maintained.
1763
The Royal Proclamation of October 1763 is Britain’s first declaration of jurisdiction over this new land (which eventually became Canada). The proclamation recognizes the Indians as being Nations that hold ownership of lands and territories. The British acknowledge that the title to these lands must be purchased or otherwise given up by the First Nation, should the Crown wish to acquire rights to it.
The Royal Proclamation acknowledges aboriginal title to the lands and the resources that flow from them, and further, that the British Crown is asserting its jurisdiction (foreign) within the existing framework of First Nations’ jurisdiction (inherent). The two jurisdictions co-exist at this time, as there is no evidence of a threat being made by either party. Treaties are to be signed with First Nations to access resources.
“Indian title would be a continuation of pre-existing aboriginal arrangements; quite unlike the settlers’ fee simple title, Indian title was being recognized rather than created by the Crown.”[1]
1700-1762
The French are losing control of their territory to the British and those fighting to control the southern states. Political unrest is resulting in migration of English-speaking colonists to eastern Canada. African slaves migrate north to escape bondage.
The British take control of Quebec and hold ‘power’ over the whole east coast and the inland fur trade. The Hudson’s Bay Company is the British Crown’s agent in this new land at this time. The British Colonies are being strengthened.
The British establish an official position to assume responsibility for Indian Affairs; this post is military in nature. The fur trade, led by the Hudson’s Bay Company, follows a strong and steady course westward.
1500-1700
Foreign explorers continue to make their way to North America. The British reach both the east and west coasts of what is now Canada, but focus on the east and its furs, where the French are making a great effort to exert jurisdiction. The French have been exploring the St. Lawrence River for some time and New France has been founded. Foreign wars are carried over to the colonies in attempt to gain control over these new lands.
Both the French and British are enlisting the eastern tribes as military aides. They are also being used as harvesters for furs in the fight to establish the Colonies.
The concept of foreign commerce is still not understood by many of the First Nations, but their skill and knowledge in accessing the resources of their traditional territories is unchallenged. The involvement of the local First Nations is of utmost importance in the expansion of the fur trade and in the fight by foreign governments to exert jurisdiction. The fur trade promoted settlement from the East Coast westward.
12000 BC – 1500 AD
The Ktunaxa prophets forecast a time when there will be fair-skinned people amongst them. The Ktunaxa are told to prepare for big changes.
Stories of the new people’s arrival in North America begin to make their way into the interior through the inter-tribal trade routes. The horse is introduced to the Ktunaxa through their southern territory, but there is not much of an impact on the traditional lifestyle, with the exception of increased ease in hunting and warfare with the added mobility.