New approach to distribute $58 million for environmental projects in the Kootenay Region of British Columbia
Government of Canada and Ktunaxa Nation launch an approach to distribute $58 million for environmental projects in the Kootenay Region of British Columbia
News release
March 13, 2025 – Vancouver, British Columbia
The Government of Canada is committed to conserving and protecting Canada’s natural biodiversity and supporting the leadership of Indigenous peoples to help conserve ecosystems, protect Indigenous cultures, and develop sustainable economies for future generations.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada and the Ktunaxa Nation are advancing a co‑developed approach to allocate $58 million in funding to deliver projects that restore, enhance, and conserve fish and fish habitat in British Columbia’s Kootenay Region, focused on benefiting Qukin ʔamakʔis (Elk Valley). The funding comes from a 2021 landmark penalty paid by Teck Coal Limited to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.
This approach includes non-competitive, project-based funding of up to $30 million for Ktunaxa First Nations and Ktunaxa Nation Council, as well as up to $6 million each available for other Kootenay Region First Nations, namely, Shuswap Band and Okanagan Nation Alliance. This funding will support the communities’ ability to deliver projects that enhance, restore, or conserve fish or fish habitat. It will also be used to carry out research and development to improve the understanding of issues related to the enhancement, conservation, or restoration of fish or fish habitat.
In addition, $16 million will be available to fund projects through an open, competitive call for applications co-developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Ktunaxa Nation.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations through meaningful collaboration rooted in the spirit of partnership and principles of reconciliation. This partnership with Ktunaxa is a significant and novel milestone, showcasing federal collaboration with an Indigenous Nation to distribute funding through the Environmental Damages Fund. This collaboration recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge and expertise in caring for the interconnected ecosystem of Qukin ʔamakʔis.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“This partnership recognizes the Ktunaxa Nation’s stewardship of Qukin ʔamakʔis. It’s a first, and it brings the spirit of reconciliation alive in action. We value being able to work together as true partners to protect the land, water, and all living beings in our territory.”
– Kathryn Teneese, Chair, Ktunaxa Nation Council
“We have the opportunity now to guide the direction, to lead, and to collaborate with all of those who want to be a part of the solution to fix our waterways and heal what has been damaged. As ʔakanuxunik’, we have an inherent responsibility to be a part of the process that’s going to heal our water and to heal our lands.”
– Nasuʔkin Heidi Gravelle, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it
“This funding is a step toward redressing the impacts of mining on Qukin ʔamakʔis, restoring our fish habitats, and healing the land for future generations.”
– Nasuʔkin Cheryl Casimer, ʔaq̓am
“The Environmental Damages Fund will support environmental remediation efforts that mitigate impacts to ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa, aligning with our traditional stewardship values as Ktunaxa people.”
– Nasuʔkin Donald Sam, ʔakisq̓nuk
Quick facts
The call for applications will be administered through the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.
Applications will be jointly reviewed by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Ktunaxa representatives to ensure that projects chosen to receive funding maximize environmental benefits and align with Ktunaxa stewardship values and principles.
First Nations may choose to advance projects independently or in collaboration with partners.
To support the Ktunaxa Nation’s full participation in the joint review of the call for applications, and to advance the development of Ktunaxa-led projects, up to $3.25 million of the $30-million allocation will be made available to Ktunaxa First Nations and the Ktunaxa Nation Council to support administrative and technical capacity within their organizations.
Qukin ʔamakʔis (Elk Valley) is located in ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa (Ktunaxa homelands).
It is an area of conservation significance with important flora and fauna and is a critical north-south corridor for animal migration.
The environmental infraction was in Qukin ʔamakʔis (Elk Valley) in ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa (Ktunaxa homelands).
Recognizing the impacts to the Ktunaxa, the mechanism for allocating the funding in Qukin ʔamakʔis has been developed collaboratively with Ktunaxa.
Funding will be disbursed in a manner that advances Environment and Climate Change Canada’s and Ktunaxa’s shared priorities and interests and ensures strong results that benefit the environment.
The Teck Coal Limited penalty is the highest ever imposed for pollution in violation of the Fisheries Act, and the second largest award directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.
Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Fines imposed as penalties under environmental legislation following prosecutions are credited to the Environmental Damages Fund, which ensures that environmental good follows environmental harm.
The Environmental Damages Fund ensures that fines collected from environmental infractions are used to support projects that protect nature, restore habitats, and preserve wildlife populations.
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Associated links
Environmental Damages Fund: Funds Available in Qukin ʔamakʔis (Elk Valley)
Contacts
Hermine Landry
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
873-455-3714
Hermine.Landry@ec.gc.ca
Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
media@ec.gc.ca
Ktunaxa Nation Council
Trish Barnes
Public Relations Coordinator
Trish.Barnes@ktunaxa.org
250-489-2464
Land Stewardship Visioning Workshop and Community Meetings
2025 Ktunaxa Nation Citizens Excellence Honour Awards
Extended!
Call for Nominations: Deadline April 30, 2025
Honouring Excellence in Our Nation
The Ktunaxa Citizens’ Excellence Honour Awards celebrate the achievements of Ktunaxa citizens and groups who have made a significant impact in their field or community.
There are two types of awards available for nomination, recognizing excellence across multiple categories.
(A third type, Language Learners, is identified by Ktunaxa Language Teachers only.)
Two Ways to Nominate
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Fill out the digital form – Available HERE.
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Download and print a nomination form – Available HERE.
Two Award Types
🏆 Lifetime Achievement Award
Honours a Ktunaxa citizen who has made a lasting and fundamental contribution to the Ktunaxa Nation over their lifetime.
🌟 Recognition Award
Honours a Ktunaxa citizen or group who has achieved a high level of success in a specific area.
Award Categories
Both Lifetime Achievement and Recognition awards can be given in the following categories:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cultural Knowledge & Language | Contributions to preserving, teaching, or revitalizing Ktunaxa culture and language. |
| Sports | Excellence in athletic performance, coaching, or sports leadership. |
| Arts & Entertainment | Achievements in music, visual arts, film, writing, or performance. |
| Business & Career | Success in entrepreneurship, leadership, or professional achievement. |
| Other | Achievements that don’t fit into the above categories but deserve recognition. |
Who Can Be Nominated?
Any living Ktunaxa citizen or active Ktunaxa group.
Who Can Nominate?
Ktunaxa individuals, groups, or recognized organizations.
If you need assistance, please contact Shaun Penner at Shaun.Penner@ktunaxa.org or call 250-489-2464.
How to Submit Your Nomination
- Online: If you fill in the digital form, your nomination will be automatically sent to the committee.
- In Person: Drop off at Ktunaxa Nation Council, 220 Cranbrook St. N, Cranbrook, BC.
- Email: citizencommittee@ktunaxa.org
- Fax: (250) 489-2438
- Mail: Ktunaxa Nation Council, 7825 Mission Road, Cranbrook, BC V1C 7E5
Attn: Ktunaxa Citizens’ Excellence Awards
Awards Selection and Presentation
Selection: Recipients will be chosen by the Ktunaxa Citizens’ Excellence Awards Committee (KCEA).
Presentation: Awards will be presented during the Spring Celebration on May 13, 2025 at the Ktunaxa Nation Government Building.
Ktunaxa Culture Camp: Save the Date
Save the date!
About the camp
This collaborative effort will bring together youth, cultural activities, language learning, archeology, information sharing, and more!
All Ktunaxa community members are invited to join us on the land.
Please stay tuned for more information.
Any questions can be directed our lands engagement team at: landscommunityengagement@ktunaxa.org
Ktunaxa Nation Council Open House 2025
Please join us for our annual Ktunaxa Nation Council Open House.
📍 Ktunaxa Nation Council,
220 2nd St. N. Cranbrook, BC
February 11
10 am to Noon – 1 pm to 3 pm
There will be building tours and sector information booths in the gym.
And as ever, there will be snacks and coffee for everyone.
Ktunaxa Youth Summit Series 2025
Please find all details and application / registration information HERE.
Logo Contest: Seven Nations Soaring Eagle Treatment Centre
Seven Nations Soaring Eagle Treatment Centre: Logo Contest
- $300 – 1st Prize
- $200 – 2nd Prize
- $100 – 3rd Prize
Logo should include:
• Clear Text of Seven Nations Soaring Eagle Treatment Centre
• Creative & Original
• Cultural Content
Maximum one entry per person.
Must be artist’s original design.
DÃKELH DENÉ | KTUNAXA | SECWEPEMC | SYILX | ST’ÁT’IMC | TSILHQOT’IN | NLAKA’PAMUX
Deadline: January 26, 2025
Please send entries to: Taylor Wilson, taylor.wilson@ktunaxa.org
Entries should be hi-resolution digital art or clearly rendered drawings that can be scanned into hi-resolution digital files.
Please email any questions.
Motorsport Spectacular Box Tickets Available for Ktunaxanin̓tik
Want to see Monster Truck Races and Freestyle Motocross from high above the action? Now’s your chance!
Box tickets for Motorsport Spectacular are available for purchase by Ktunaxanin̓tik. Tickets are available for both shows on Saturday, February 15 (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.) at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook.
Tickets are $44.75 each, and are available on a first come, first served basis. There are 12 tickets available for each show.
Want to purchase tickets? Email Shaun.Penner@Ktunaxa.Org, and we will email you purchase and pickup instructions.
About The Show
Bone crunching monster truck racing, wheelie contest and freestyle roars into Western Financial Place as the Motorsport Spectacular hits Cranbrook for three shows, Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The impressive Monster Truck lineup includes ‘Rockstar’, ‘Power Up’, ‘California Kid’, ‘Spitfire’ and ‘Identity Theft’ locked in high flying freestyle motocross action, with mini monsters and much more.
(Poster courtesy of Western Financial Place / Motorsport Spectacular)
Help shape the Ktunaxa Nation Legacy Trust
Help shape the Ktunaxa Nation Legacy Trust
November, 2024
The Ktunaxa Nation Council Society invites qualified Ktunaxanin̓tik to join an ad hoc committee to help develop the Ktunaxa Nation Legacy Trust.
The committee will explore options and make recommendations to the leadership of the four Ktunaxa First Nations.
Details
The committee will remain active until its work is done, with varying time commitments.
Members will be compensated at Ktunaxa Nation Council committee rates.
We’re seeking:
Four appointments total…
- 1 citizen-at-large
- 1 alternate citizen-at-large
- 1 youth (age 15-24)
- 1 alternate youth (15-24)
Qualifications
- Basic financial literacy and knowledge of trusts
- Previous board or committee experience
- Strong reasoning, critical thinking and collaboration skills
- Ethics, integrity and respect for confidentiality
To apply, visit the form HERE.
Or email David (dot) Deschamps@ktunaxa.org
Columbia River Treaty: Stay on track, even if it’s a fast track
November 18: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ʔakisk̓aqǂiʔit (Cranbrook, B.C.):
The Ktunaxa Nation is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring Ktunaxa rights and interests are recognized and protected in the still-to-be finalized Columbia River Treaty.
There have been recent reports that Canada and the United States might fast-track negotiations to conclude an updated treaty by January 2025.
In light of these reports, Ktunaxa Nation Chair Kathryn Teneese emphasized the importance of keeping things on track.
“The Agreement in Principle announced this past summer represents a monumental accomplishment for all negotiating parties in this treaty. It was achieved with significant input from Ktunaxa, and it is vital that any rush to finalize the treaty does not compromise parts of the AIP that address our rights and interests, and that incorporate Indigenous cultural values and ecosystem health.”
The Ktunaxa Nation recognizes the critical importance of reliable power and protecting downstream communities in Canada and the US from flooding but underscores the necessity of reconciling historical and ongoing impacts of the treaty.
“Our negotiations with Canada and British Columbia have been focused on addressing these impacts,” said Chair Teneese. “We expect our rights and interests to be negotiated in both the updated treaty and domestic agreements to ensure the long-term well-being of our people and territory. The two processes must move forward together.”
During the 2024 Columbia River Governance and Ethics Symposium, Ktunaxa representative Troy Hunter reflected on the potential return of salmon to the Columbia River as part of renewed treaty discussions. “Hearing that salmon restoration is being addressed makes my heart happy,” said Hunter. “It has been 86 years since the Ktunaxa have been able to harvest salmon in our territory, and their return is vital for both our culture and ecology.”
“The Ktunaxa Nation will continue to work collaboratively with Canada and British Columbia to ensure that our voices are central to these processes,” Teneese said.
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Ktunaxa Nation Press Release: CRT Agreement in Principle, more information available
Press contact
news@ktunaxa.org