Ktunaxa Nation Council 2024 Annual Report

Please click on the icon in the top right of the file to view the report.

Download (PDF, 8.44MB)



Day 2 of AGA is Postponed; Finance Report will be presented via Zoom on July 31, 2024

July 19, 2024

In the interests of remaining accountable to Ktunaxa Citizens,

a Zoom presentation of the Financial Report will be held on July 31, 2024 from 1pm – 3pm (MDT).

The Financial Report presentation will also be included on the agenda for the rescheduled AGA date.

This presentation is open only to Ktunaxa Nation members and staff of the Ktunaxa First Nations & Ktunaxa Nation Council.

To confirm the identity of those attending the Zoom presentation, we ask you to register as indicated below. 

Details

  • 1 pm to 3pm pm on Wednesday, July 31, 2024
  • This is a Zoom meeting format with a Q&A period
  • Email Registration is required

How to register:

  • 2. Verification
    We will verify your details and email you a Zoom Invitation to register.
  • 3. Zoom Registration
    Register with Zoom using the same information.
    Zoom will send you the meeting link and passcode.

For those who have already registered with aga@ktunaxa.org, you do not need to re-register,

and you will be emailed a Zoom Invitation to Register closer to the meeting date.

Thank you for your understanding at this time.

 

 

July 18, 2024
8:30 am

Please note:

There is currently a mass power outage across the Columbia Valley.

With the uncertainty of the time of re-energization from BC Hydro,
Day 2 of the AGA is postponed until further notice.

There are safety precautions that need to be followed after long outages,
and we need to give AFN staff and Contractors the appropriate time and space
to make sure the space is OK for hosting another day at full capacity.

This decision was a difficult one and we look forward to concluding the AGA when safe to do so.

Please watch emails, social media, text, and calls for updates on the situation.

Thank you.

The KNC and AFN Core Services Teams



Ktunaxa Nation celebrates milestone in Columbia River Treaty modernization

Ktunaxa Nation celebrates milestone
in Columbia River Treaty modernization

Agreement in Principle announced

July 11, 2024: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ʔa·kisk̓aqǂiʔit Cranbrook, B.C.  – The Ktunaxa Nation Council is proud to announce a significant milestone in the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty, as the Government of Canada and the United States have reached an agreement-in-principle (AIP).

The Ktunaxa have been instrumental in shaping Canada’s priorities and negotiating positions for the AIP.

The Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations have also been important Indigenous Nation partners in the negotiations.

“This milestone represents years of hard work and dedication by our Nations, and ensures we have a voice at the table to protect the future of our homelands,” said Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Chair.

“We have worked hard to see concerns over the environment, Ktunaxa cultural values, stream flows, and salmon restoration represented in the Treaty negotiations, and we are committed to continuing that work as a new treaty is drafted.”

These principles are vital in integrating ecosystem health and Indigenous cultural values into a modernized treaty, and restoring salmon to the B.C. portion of the Columbia Basin.

“We are also working with B.C. and Canada to make sure the huge impacts of the Columbia River Treaty dams to our people are recognized and addressed,” Teneese said. “The Ktunaxa Nation has communities on both sides of the border and we share a sacred duty to protect ‘ʔa·kxam̓is q̓api qapsin’ (all living things).”

For decades, the Columbia River Treaty has been crucial in reducing flood damage and providing clean energy to populations in both Canada and the United States.

The modernized treaty will continue this legacy, ensuring pre-planned flood control and continued cooperation on hydropower. Additionally, it will incorporate new provisions for dam operations, ecosystem health, restoring salmon populations, Indigenous cultural values, adaptive management and other values.

The AIP supports a renewed approach to sharing benefits between countries. It allows B.C. to continue receiving a share of the additional hydroelectric power potential in the U.S., includes newly negotiated access to U.S. transmission infrastructure, and provides annual indexed compensation from the U.S. for a reduced volume of reservoir space for flood-risk management and other benefits the U.S. receives.

Since negotiations to modernize the treaty began in May 2018, 19 formal rounds of negotiations have taken place. Ktunaxa have participated in these rounds, and have provided expertise and input.

“We look forward to continuing to work towards a forthcoming, renewed Columbia River Treaty in which Ktunaxa are included within its terms to our satisfaction, as well as other agreements to address our Nation’s title and rights, before we are able to consider providing our free, prior, and informed consent,” Teneese said.

–30–

 

Background Information:

The Columbia River Treaty is a transboundary water-management agreement between Canada and the United States, ratified in 1964, optimizing flood-risk management and power generation.

The treaty required Canada to build three dams in B.C. and allowed the U.S. to build a fourth dam, the Libby Dam, which flooded into Canada.

Although international treaties are within federal jurisdiction, the 1963 Canada-British Columbia Agreement transferred most treaty rights and obligations to the Province of B.C. This requires the Province’s agreement before terminating or amending the treaty.

Revenue from the treaty has contributed to funding government functions such as health care, education, and infrastructure.

The treaty has no end date, but either country can unilaterally terminate it from September 2024 onward with at least 10 years’ notice.

Since negotiations to modernize the treaty began in May 2018, 19 formal rounds of negotiations have taken place. Ktunaxa have participated in these rounds, and have provided expertise and input.

Ktunaxa leadership provided a mandate to guide Ktunaxa Nation participation in this work in 2014, and renewed that mandate in 2021. The mandate principles are:

  • Ktunaxa continues to exercise their stewardship responsibility for water through the CRT 2014-2024 negotiation process.
  • Ktunaxa participation in CRT decision-making
  • Protection of Ktunaxa Aboriginal rights
  • Restoration of salmon to the Upper Columbia
  • Protection of cultural heritage resources
  • Ecosystem management
  • Libby/Koocanusa co-management
  • Redress of historic and ongoing impacts of CRT dams,
    transmission lines, other infrastructure and operations
  • Ktunaxa participation in economic benefits
  • Climate change analysis and consideration

BC Statement on the AIP: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024EMLI0041-001094

Canada Statement on the AIP: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2024/07/11/statement-prime-minister-agreement-principle-reached-between-canada-and

US Statement on the AIP: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/11/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-reaching-an-agreement-in-principle-on-modernization-of-the-columbia-river-treaty-regime/

 

====Media Contact====

Trish Barnes
trish.barnes@ktunaxa.org
Ktunaxa Nation Council
Public Relations Coordinator



Help us Bring the Salmon Home

July 10, 2024

Help us Bring the Salmon Home


PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICE –> sign the letter today…

The Ktunaxa, Syilx Okanagan and Secwépemc Nations are calling on the B.C. and federal governments to commit to core funding to support the Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative for generations to come.

The Columbia River was once the source of the greatest salmon runs in the world.
Salmon have been prevented by dams from returning to the upper Columbia waters for over 85 years.
We’ve been making strong progress through our Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative, though.
Salmon are swimming again in the upper Columbia!
However, the governments of British Columbia and Canada have yet to commit to providing the long-term core funding this work requires.
The current agreement, established in 2019, runs out March 31, 2025.
Successful reintroduction work requires investment far beyond the lifespan of a single salmon.

Please show the governments you support them helping bring the salmon home…

PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICE by signing the letter…


KNC AGA Ball Game



Annual General Assembly 2024

 

The Ktunaxa Nation Annual General Assembly
happens on Wednesday, July 17, and Thursday, July 18, 2024.

The location is ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation.

If you are not attending in person, you can join us via Zoom.

Important Notes:

  • Attendees are not allowed to take screenshots, pictures, or recordings of any part of these meetings.
  • The Finance Department presentation is private and only for Ktunaxa Nation members and staff.
  • By accessing these meetings, you agree to these terms.

There are two parts you need to know about:

  1. The main AGA:
    This part is open to everyone.
    It features many sessions over two days.
    The agenda is attached to this email.

Details

  1. Finance Department presentation:
    This part is open only to Ktunaxa Nation members
    and staff of the Ktunaxa First Nations & Ktunaxa Nation Council.

Details

    • 3 pm to 4 pm on Thursday
    • This is a meeting format with a Q&A period
    • Email Registration is required

 How to register:

    • 1. Email
      à Send an email to AGA@ktunaxa.org.
      Include your First Name, Last Name, Email Address, and Affiliation.
    • 2. Verification
      We will verify your details and email you a Zoom Invitation to register.
    • 3. Zoom Registration
      Register with Zoom using the same information.
      Zoom will send you the meeting link and passcode.

Please download to complete the form.

Download (PDF, 720KB)

NEW: Agenda is up!

Download (PDF, 195KB)



Malyan Michel Bursary, 2024

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Malyan Michel Bursary.

We will be awarding this years Bursary on Wed July 17th, 2024.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, July 12th, 2024.

If you know of a deserving student please consider nominating them this year.
Also, please forward this to anyone you feel would like to nominate a student.

Thank you for your time.

Cindy Sutherland

Download (PDF, 65KB)

 

Download (PDF, 76KB)



3rd Annual Chief Isadore Pancake Breakfast



Survival and Healing of Warriors Gathering, Sept 27 & 28, 2024

Download (PDF, 965KB)

Registration is open!

Cranbrook BC – Kootenay Indian Residential School – Survival and Healing of Warriors Gathering is happening September 27 – 29, 2024, St. Eugene Golf Resort.

The School closed in 1970 and it’s time to acknowledge all the students.

All Students who attended are invited.

We recognize the sensitivity of this event and will ensure Self-care is made available.

Registration is now open.

The School closed in 1970 and it’s time to acknowledge all the students.

Visit the website to learn more

https://ktunaxanationdance.wixsite.com/website

All students who attended are invited.

Please bring pictures and memorabilia to share on the Memorial Wall.

We recognize the sensitivity of this event and will ensure self-care is made available.

Registration is now open!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kootenay-residential-school-survival-and-healing-of-warriors-tickets-905215653387

Or register by contacting:
Brett Capilo at brett.capilo@ktunaxa.org 250 489 2464

Booking a room?
If you need a room, you can contact our Rooms Reservation directly.
Contact Denise Birdstone: dbirdstone@aqam.net or call 250-426-5717 Ext. 3835

Questions about the event?
Contact Janice Alpine: KtunaxaNationDanceTroupe@gmail.com
250-489-0876

Huyas!

Thank you

Janice Alpine, Manager

Ktunaxa Nation Theatre Dance Troupe Society



Flag raising in Invermere

Hey Everyone, and Ktunaxanin̓tik in particular!
Raise the flag and celebrate with Akisqnuk First Nation!
What are you doing on May 17, 2024?
Will you be in INVERMERE?
How about swinging by the recently acquired AFN building there?
–> #625 4th Street, Invermere <–
This is to celebrate and raise the Ktunaxa Nation flag!
There will be food, entertainment, children’s activities and ʔaq̓am Nasuʔkin Joe Pierre will tell the Ktunaxa Creation Story.
Everyone is welcome and it’s going to be a beautiful day…



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