SÉWLLKWE Water

SECWÉPEMC SPRING GATHERING 2018

April 20th – 23rd 2018 Kenpésq’t Territory () SECWÉ PEMC SPRING GATHERING WELCOME

ABOUT THE SPRING Greetings to all our brothers and sisters of Secwépemcúl’ecw. It is a great honour to be hosting the Secwépemc Spring Gathering 2018 in the Eastern part of our territory. Our staff SEASONAL GATHERING have been super busy organizing this event and I hold out my hands to you in great respect for all the hard work you Weytk-p! have done to make this happen. I am excited that it is happening here so that our community has a chance to learn from their nation’s people, especially our Elders. I wish you all the best of experiences here in the Columbia Valley Secwépemc seasonal gatherings bring us together as a nation, so that we may share knowledge in a respectful and that we are able to learn from each other on all aspects of being proud Secwépemc citizens. It is important we way that builds our collective voice and builds unity. The knowledge shared and recommendations made over the work together to learn our cultural values and share this with our children. Some of us as adults are learning this past year shaped and influenced how we organized this event to best serve our nation. We are excited to present now. This is an exciting journey for myself, embracing the teachings that so many of you have generously shared this journey on Sunday evening at the gathering tent for our Secwépemc Strong Dinner. with us. May we all share in the love and laughter and maybe a few tears that makes us stronger together. Over the past year, numerous Secwépemc communities and/or regions (divisions) have stepped up as hosts and enriched the gatherings through their collaboration. The opportunity for integrating the Secwépemc Spring Gathering Kukwstsétsemc, and Water Conference was taken up in the spirit of bringing together the Nation to have a dialogue about water. Our Chief Barb Cote Nation members have watched the water world change drastically over the course of the last 150 years. Stream, Shuswap Indian Band lakes and rivers once healthy and vibrant have been forever altered due to damming, draining, pollution and climate change. Honouring our Ancestors requires that we stand up and protect the Water World and Xqelmecwétkwe (Water Beings) throughout Secwépemcúlecw. As Secwépemc, we are joining together through the Secwépemc Spring Gathering- Séwllkwe to uphold our inherent responsibility to take care of the water worlds so that they may take care of us. The Secwépemc Gathering has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Shuswap Indian Band, Reconciliation Framework Agreement and Secwépemc Nation Building Initiative. Through our collective fortitude, the gathering evolved to ensure that our Secwépemc Nation stands together to uphold these responsibilities in a manner which upholds our Secwépemc law and respects and recognizes our customs, protocols. We thank all who have contributed and attended the previous gathering in your commitment as Caretakers of our Secwépemc Nation. SECWÉ PEMC SPRING GATHERING WELCOME

WELCOME TO THE ANCESTRAL HOMEFIRES OF THE KENPÉSQ’T TE SECWÉPEMC

Shuswap Indian Band (Kenpesq’t) is the furthest south eastern community of the Secwépemc Nation. It is situated on the north end of Lake Windermere, and near the town of Invermere, between the Rocky and Purcell mountain ranges within the Columbia Valley. Chief Pierre Kinbasket was the first ‘documented’ Chief of the Shuswap Indian Band, which was established in 1884. Chief Pierre Kinbasket had a twin brother, Charlie Kinbasket. The Kinbaskets traded and were allies with the Stony Tribe of Alberta, as well as their neighbours, the Akisqnuk— part of the Ktunaxa Nation—resulting in mixed lineage and affiliations that continue to this day. However, Shuswap Indian Band officially withdrew from the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Tribal Council to re-join the Shuswap Nation in 2006. It is important to continue researching and documenting use and occupancy of the Secwépemc in this area of the Secwépemcúl’ecw. In some documents, books and written materials tell the story of the “Kinbasket Migration”, which shares one point in time when the Kinbasket family settled in the Columbia Valley. Evidence has proven that Secwépemc occupation has dated thousands of years prior to this 19th century migration, and the territory is vast extending south of Canal Flats. Shuswap Indian Band will be completing some research projects this year, and would appreciate any knowledge, documents, stories that anyone is able to share about this area of the territory! Shuswap Indian Band has many leased lands and businesses on their reserve, much of which you can see around the band offices. Kinbasket Water & Sewer Company Ltd. is a self-sufficient water supply and sewage treatment plant that services the Windermere subdivisions of Lakeview Meadows, Black Forest Heights and the Cottages at Copper Point, as well as Canadian Tire, No Frills, Arrowhead Brewing Company, Kicking Horse Coffee, Home Hardware and the rest of the commercial frontage along Athalmer Road, all of which are a part of the Shuswap Band’s economic development. Shuswap Indian Band has one chief (Chief Barbara Cote) and two councilors (Tim Eugene and Rosalita Pascal). The community consists of approximately 292 members, with 90 living on-reserve.

Shuswap Indian Band is proud to co-host this Spring Gathering and hope you all enjoy the pristine views and have a safe journey home! SECWÉ PEMC SPRING GATHERING SCHEDULE

FRIDAY April 20, 2018 Ceremony SATURDAY April 21, 2018 Séwllkwe & Salmon

Time Activity Location Copper Point Quartz Room Community Activities 12:00 pm PICNIC LUNCH The Gathering Available from noon–3:00 pm. Place Time Activity Time Activity (Shuswap Band Hall) 7:30 am CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 10:00 am HIDE SCRAPING AND TANNING OFFERED AT BOTH HOTELS (All Day) DEMONSTRATION AND THE 1:00 pm COMMUNITY TIPI RAISING The Gathering *Kanata Hotel Guests* Please enjoy breakfast GATHERING PLACE Shuswap Band will be raising the community tipi on location where the cultural tent activities will be. All Place at your hotel before joining us at Copperpoint Join Quanah George as he works over available hands would be appreciated and welcome as it’s a large tipi! (Shuswap Band Hall) *Community members may enjoy breakfast the weekend to prepare deer hides for at the Copperpoint rattle making. 3:00 pm WATER CEREMONY AT THE LOCAL BEACH IN INVERMERE James Chabot 10:00 am SWEAT LODGE BUILDING *Everyone is welcome to participate in this ceremony as a witness Provincial 8:30 am OPENING CEREMONIES AND WELCOME By Chief Barb Cote and Council (All Day) Help the Secwépemc Health *Please bring your hand drums, blankets, and medicines Park (see map below for Caucus Traditional Wellness team *Please respect our request for no photos or videos during the ceremony directions) 9:00 am SECWÉPEMC MORNING STORIES build a sweat lodge. Will build until completion. Sweat to follow. Directions By Kenthen Thomas 6:00 pm WELCOME FEAST AND SECWÉPEMC STORIES DINNER THEATRE The Gathering available at the info table. Join us as we celebrate the first day of the Spring Gathering with a feast and the Story of Suckerfish. Place 9:30 am TREATY 101 10:00 am SECWEPEMCSTIN LANGUAGE (Shuswap By Kindy Gosel Band Hall) to WORKSHOP WITH DARCY DENEAULT 2:00 pm AT THE GATHERING TENT 10:30 am SECWÉPEMC AND THE COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY Chief Nathan Matthew, Councillor Tim Eugene, 12:00 pm PICNIC LUNCH AND SECWÉPEMCTSÍN Carl Archie BINGO AT THE GATHERING TENT Water Ceremony at James Chabot Provincial Park Directions 11:30 am MINISTER KATHERINE CONROY 1:00 pm TRADITIONAL TEA’S WORKSHOP Join Laverna Stevens for a traditional 12:00 pm LUNCH BREAK tea’s workshop at the gathering place. 95 Kootenay Hwy 1:00 pm AQUATIC IMPACTS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER Eagle Summit 4:00 pm SECWÉPEMC STORIES AROUND By Mark Thomas THE CAMPFIRE Eagle Ranch Trail Arrow Rd Join Ralph McBryan for some stories Panorama Dr Borden St 2:00 pm TRIBES, FIRST NATIONS AND GOVERNANCE 3 Ave around the fire before dinner.

Fifth Ave Blair St OF SHARED INTERNATIONAL WATERS: Arrow Rd EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS LEARNED 6:00 pm SATURDAY NIGHT SALMON FEAST Shuswap Band Sifton St FROM AROUND THE WORLD Industrial 1 Rd Administration YOUR LOCATION AND STICK GAMES Athalmer Rd By Richard Paisley Panorama Dr First Ave Saturday night feast of Wild Salmon

4 Ave Petro Kootenay Canada Coffee Works generously donated by RiverFresh. Canadian Tire

Laurier St Athalmer Rd 3:00 pm UNDRIP – USING INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS 10 Ave 10 Tarte St After dinner join Ralph McBryan TO IMPLEMENT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND and Joe Thomas for stick games. 12 Ave DECISION-MAKING 11 Ave 11 1 St Lakeview Dr Beginners and experts welcome and 3 St By Nicole Schabus LOTS of prizes to giveaway!

WATER CEREMONY

7 Ave 7 Lakeview Pl Rd Lakeview James Chabot Provincial Park

Columbia River Lakeview Upper Rd

4 St SECWÉ PEMC SPRING GATHERING SCHEDULE

SUNDAY April 22, 2018 Secwépemc Strong MONDAY April 23, 2018 Unity

Time Activity Location Copper Point Quartz Room Community Activities 9:00 am HOT BREAKFAST & SAFE TRAVELS! The Gathering Time Activity Time Activity Place (Shuswap Band Hall) 7:30 am CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 7:00 am SWEAT AT THE NEW SWEATLODGE OFFERED AT BOTH HOTELS Join David Archie for a morning 10:00 am ALL NATION MEETING—SECWÉPEMC LEADERSHIP CIRCLE The Gathering *Kanata Hotel Guests* Please enjoy breakfast sunrise sweat. Co-ed. to Place at your hotel before joining us at Copperpoint 2:00 pm (Shuswap *Community members may enjoy breakfast 9:00 am RADIUM HOT SPRINGS SOAK Band Hall) at the Copperpoint to Radium Hot Springs is opening its 10:00 am gates to our gathering participations 2:00 pm CLOSING CEREMONY The Gathering 8:30 am OPENING CEREMONIES for a private soak from 9am- Place 10am. Please car pool and arrive (Shuswap 9:00 am SECWÉPEMC MORNING STORIES early. Directions and sign up at the Band Hall) By Kenthen Thomas information table.

9:30 am ANISHINAABE WATER LAW 10:00 am HIDE SCRAPING AND TANNING (All Day) DEMONSTRATION AT By Aimée Craft THE GATHERING PLACE 11:00 am FITFIR IN THE ERA OF RECONCILIATION 10:00 am TRADITIONAL MEDICINES WORKSHOP By Vivienne Beisel to WITH RHONA BOWE AT THE 12:00 pm HEALING TENT 12:00 pm LUNCH BREAK & BC HYDRO PRESENTATION By Devan Swaine and Scott Humphries 12:00 pm PICNIC LUNCH AND SECWÉPEMCTSÍN BINGO AT THE GATHERING TENT 1:00 pm CUMULATIVE EFFECTS & WATER; STORIES OF OUR LIVES 1:00 pm YOUTH WORKSHOP AT By Barry Wilson to THE GATHERING TENT 3:00 pm With Duanna Johnson-Virgo, FNHA 2:00 pm SECWÉPEMC WATER DECLARATION Mental Health and Wellness Regional Chief Nathan Matthew & Dave Nordquist Manager for the Interior Incorporating expressive therapies to better support a healthy lifestyle.

4:00 pm SECWÉPEMC STORIES AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

6:00 pm SUNDAY NIGHT SECWÉPEMC STRONG FEAST A farewell dinner with giveaways and information about our progress as a nation so far. Come and celebrate our Secwépemc connections and way of life. We are strong. Secwépemc Strong. Secwepemcúlecw Map Disclaimer: The following map was developed solely for the purposes of the Winter Gathering for illustrative and discussion purposes and is not intended to represent the final or approved rendition of the Ancestral home fires of the Secwepemc Nation. Cartographer: L.LeBourdais Kilometers Created: December 6, 2017 0 10 20 40 60 80

McBride

Fraser River

Quesnel Valemount

Canoe River

Quesnel River

Xats'úll

Tsucwk’wcénk Williams Lake T’éxelc Pesqlélten Piq North Thompson Tsenxlél’us (N.) Xet’ínten Tsq'éscen River Columbia River Tsenxlél’us (S.) Esk’ét Chilcotin Kicking River Tecwilúps Xgét'tem' Horse River Stswécemc Tseqwtsqwélqw Illecillewaet Pelltsq’wmús River Spillimacheen River Revelstoke

Llenllenéy'ten Clinton

Tscweptém’ Stek’e7ús South Radium Hot Qw7ewt Springs Pelltíq't re Pésellkwes Thompson ' Tsk'wéylecw St'uxwtéws Cstálen River Kenpésq't Sinixt Cache Creek Skítsesten Sk’atsín Nxucwíl’ten Tk'emlúps Ashcroft Enderby ' Thompson Kamloops ' River Splatsín Armstrong Lower Nakusp Kootenay Vernon Lumby River Secwepemctsín English The People Of:

Xats'úll Soda Creek Band People of Hatsu'l Tsucwk’wcénk Buckskin Creek Band People of TcuxPkemxwbae'nrkto onr Axqomait Upper T’éxelc Williams Lake / Sugar Cane Band People of Skola'ten [Williams Lake] or People of Lka'kaike [near Williams lake] New Denver Lytton Esk’ét Alkali Lake Band - Kaslo Kootenay Xgét'tem' Dog Creek Band People of the deep hollow Silverton Merritt Stswécemc Canoe Creek Band - River Tscweptém’ Empire Valley Band People of the Pillar Hollow Stek’e7ús Big Bar Band People of Little Hanging Bridge or People of Steka'uz Llenllenéy'ten High Bar Band People of the place where the trail goes down Kimberley Pelltíq't re Pésellkwes Clinton (Whispering Pines) People of the White Earth or People of the Lake Slocan Piq Riske Creek Band People of the White or People of Axmut'em or People of Sesmutte'm [Riske Creek place] Kelowna Tsenxlél’us North Canyon Band People of the Canyon or People of Setl or People of Kwo'mesken or People of Snaka'in {names of their principal chiefs} Fernie Tsenxlél’us South Canyon Band People of the canyon or People of Setl or People of Cuxalellup {name of principal chief} Tecwilúps Chilcotin Mouth Band People of Texhoilu'ps [confluence or straight confluence] Cranbrook Xet’ínten Lac la Hache Band People of HatlLi'nten or HaLli'nten {name of lac le hache} Okanagan Tsq'éscen People of Tsqa'sxen [to strike one stone on another] or People of Little Swan [pespakemi'mex] Pelltsq’wmús Green Timber Band People of Pelstsokomu's [from name of fish] River Pesqlélten Upper Thompson Band People of the Upper Reaches or those at the top Tseqwtsqwélqw Lower North Thompson Band People of the Red Trees or People of Nsimpx [name of North Thompson River] Nelson Kenpésq't Kinbasket Band People or Children of Kenpe'sket Kettle River Tsk'wéylecw Pavilion Band People of the brown or burnt-like ground St'uxwtéws Bonaparte River Band People of Sloxta'us {may mean clear or shallow way or river} Nxucwíl’ten Main Thompson Band People of the One River from Snkoa'tkwa "the one river, the Shuswap name of the main Thompson River Skítsesten Deadman's Creek Band or Savona or Skeetchestn People of the headwaters or sources {from sqemqai'n head top of source the name of Savona} Penticton Tk'emlúps Kamloops Band People of the confluence Pend-d'Oreille Sk’atsín South Thompson / Neskonlith Band People of Hala'ut Castlegar Cstálen Adams Lake Band People of Sxste'llnF {Ardaamsse larke Ror nieavr}er River Qw7ewt [Little] Shuswap Lake Band People of Sxotcame'lp {place on Salmon Arm where is village} Salmo Splatsín Spallumcheen Band People of flat banked or prairie banked river [Teit, James Alexander. 1909. Part VII-The Shuswap.] Sinixt Arrow Lakes Band Lions Ba- y

Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community SECWÉ PEMC SPRING GATHERING ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKERS

ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKERS Aimée Craft Presentation Sunday at 9:30: Anishinaabe Water Law This presentation will focus on Anishinaabe nibi inaakonigewin (Anishinaabe water law) Kindy Gosal and community-driven work that aims to develop legal relationships with water through Presentation at 9:30am on Saturday at Copperpoint: Columbia River Treaty 101 Indigenous legal mechanisms, such as declarations, treaties. Looking to various international This presentation will provide a simple overview of the history, structure and framework of legal mechanisms by which the legal agency of water has been approached and will probe the Columbia River Treaty. This presentation will provide context and background to forum the implications of grounding theory and legal decision-making in spirit and ceremony. participants for a subsequent session on the agenda that allows for discussion with Shuswap Leadership on this important issue. Devan Swaine Presentation Sunday at 12:30pm: BC Hydro and the Secwépemc-BC Relationship Richard Paisley Protocol Agreement Presentation Saturday at 2:00pm: Tribes, First Nations and Governance of Shared Devan Swaine is currently coordinating the Secwépemc-BC Hydro Relationship Protocol International Waters: Experiences and Lessons Learned from Around the World Agreement. This agreement strive to set out principals, structures, and processes that New governance arrangements are urgently needed in the international Columbia River Basin will guide the parties in their efforts to collaboratively develop a reconciliation framework. to better accommodate the interests, rights and obligations of tribes and First Nations on In Devan’s presentation he will provide an introduction of the position, an overview of the both sides of the Canada / USA border. The over 260 international watercourses throughout agreement, its current developments, and next steps. the world provide a rich tapestry of international experiences, best practises and lessons learned regarding the conservation and management of international watercourses. Vivienne Beisel Presentation Sunday at 11:00am: “First-in-time-first-in-right” Mark Thomas in an Era of Reconciliation Presentation Saturday at 1:00-2:00pm: Aquatic Impacts on the Columbia River Specializing in conflict resolution, Vivienne will talk about the context of current water issues Mark Thomas is a Shuswap Band Member who’s work focuses on the aquatic impacts on and the concept of “first-in-time-first-in-right.” Giving several examples of past successes, the Columbia River. His presentation will focus on a brief history of the Columbia River, she will provide suggestions for how to engage in meaningful, respectful, and productive anthropogenic impacts, Columbia River health issues both current and historic, and challenges dialogue. to salmon restoration in the Canadian part of the Columbia River. He will connect Shuswap values and interests and how these impacts relate to Shuswap Indian Band. Nicole Schabus Presentation Saturday at 3:00pm: UNDRIP – Using International Instruments to Barry Wilson Implement Indigenous Rights and Decision-Making Presentation Sunday at 1:00pm: “Cumulative Effects & Water; Stories Of Our Lives” This presentation will address how international instruments such as the UN Declaration on We know that all things are connected and that we live in and are a part of thousands of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and international human rights treaties and multi- systems that are constantly changing and interacting. This presentation will provide examples lateral environmental agreements, can be used as tools from the local to the international from recent Secwépemc holistic land use planning and cumulative effects assessment with level to implement Indigenous rights and decision-making. It will also point out how violations a particular focus on water quality and quantity and how these important values can be of Indigenous rights can be raised at the international level. influenced by human land use, natural disturbance and climate change.

SECWÉ PEMC SPRING GATHERING COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY

COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY Columbia Treaty Strategic Concerns Weyt-k, the Secwépemc Nation has been engaged with Canada and on the potential renewal of the Columbia River Treaty. Below are four priority areas for the Secwépemc Nation if the Columbia River Seat at the Seat at the Treaty is renegotiated. Table Table

Nekw7usem te Secwépemctsenem—One Secwépemc Voice Economic Ecosystem Compensa\on Management The Secwépemc Nation is the largest Indigenous Nation in British Columbia. Our potential influence inEconomic the Ecosystem province is immense. If we’re successful at achieving a seat at the table, it will be world-changingCompensa\on to have Management Indigenous voices as equals to the state in international Treaty negotiations. However, to realize any potential gains will require a unified nation approach.

Emute te Letep—A Seat at the Table Hydro Salmon/Fish British Columbia and Canada have committed to a Nation-to-Nation relationship and the implementation of Genera\on Restora\on UNDRIP as well as to be guided by 10 Principles respecting Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Principle Number 3 states that The Government of Canada recognizes that the honour of the Crown guides Secwepemculucw Secwépemcúl’ecw the conduct of the Crown in all of its dealings with Indigenous peoples.Hydro The overarching aim is to ensure that Salmon/Fish Indigenous peoples are treated with respect and as full partnersGenera\on in Confederation. Restora\on

Neku7 te Setetkwe—One River Since the Treaty was signed in 1964, there have been serious impacts to our land and ways of living. In 1940 Secwepemculucw Flood Community Management Healing the Columbia River was diverted for Grand Coulee dam construction and the salmon stopped running. Our people were given Spam to replace the protein lost by salmon. In addition to the Grand Coulee Dam in the US, there are 60 dams on the Columbia River system, 13 of which are in Canada. Each of these has significant impacts on the wildlife and ecosystems of the Columbia River. We Culture, Habitat Heritage, & will be seeking consideration for the cumulative impacts to the Columbia River. Restora\on Archaeology Pellsqlew—To Have Money Flood Community Management Healing As the title holders, the Secwépemc were never compensated for the loss of the use of our lands and resources which have benefited Canada and the United Stated immensely. Canada receives upwards of $150 million Columbia River Treaty Strategic Concerns annually in payment from the United States for the storage of water in the Canadian portion of the Columbia River. Currently, there is little to no benefits to the Secwépemc Nation from the Columbia River Treaty operations.

It’s important to note that while the Secwépemc Nation has agreed to begin discussions with British Columbia Culture, Habitat Heritage, & and Canada on the renewal of the Columbia River Treaty, the Treaty is an international treaty between Canada Restora\on Archaeology and the United States. No deal has been reached with the Secwépemc Nation. This is not the BC Treaty Process.

Columbia River Treaty Strategic Concerns

SECWÉ PEMC SPRING GATHERING GATHERING PLACE AND ACCOMODATIONS

HOTEL AND ACCOMMODATION KANATA INN Wolf Cres INFORMATION Kootenay Hwy

Check in time is at 4:00 pm. Check out time is at 11:00 Kinbasket Trail am. Please respect quiet time hours after 11:00 pm. No

violence or partying will be tolerated at either locations Arrow Rd and will result in immediate dismissal. Wolf Cres

Copperpoint Resort Kicking 760 Cooper Rd, Invermere, BC V0A 1K2 Horse Café Tel. 250-341-4000 95

Kanata Inn Arrow Rd Tim Hortons 8888 Arrow Rd, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Invermere Tel. 250-342-8888 SHUSWAP Home Hardware BAND HALL Kootenay Hwy Black Forest Trail GATHERING PLACE Athalmer Rd Athalmer Rd

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pizzeria Mercato

95 Lakeview Dr Lakeview

Canadian Tire Town and Country Feeds COPPER POINT RESORT SECWÉ PEMC SPRING GATHERING NOTES

SECWÉPEMC WATER JURISDICTION The sq’ílye was a direct gift to Secwépemc people from Old One, the Creator. Old One had given instructions to the sq’ílye spirit, the spirit of the qwéltsen (fir boughs) and the spirit of the water (séwllkwe) to answer the prayers of Secwépemc people and helping to cleanse and heal in body, mind and spirit. “The concept of ‘water use’ from an Indigenous perspective relates directly to the social life of water as experienced in all the customs and traditions dependent on water and access to its benefits. From this Séwllkwe (water) in Secwépemcúl’ecw has been said to be akin to the heart of the land and the blood in perspective, the ‘use of water’ is tied to the relationship that Indigenous peoples have with water, in that Secwépemc veins. It is through the principle of reciprocal accountability that we uphold our inherent rights as water is the source of all of the life-forms of each specific habitat that water creates by its presence and is caretakers to restore and revitalize our lands and waters so that they may once again be great and good. the basis of their livelihood. In that way, the Indigenous social relationship to water is specific and unique to each place, and the benefits of water and the surroundings it creates are the source of and are foundational to Aboriginal rights.” 1 1 Sam, M. & Armstrong, J. (n.d.) Indigenous Water Governance and Resistance. 2 Teit, J. (1909). The Shuswap. (Vol. 2). New York, US: Jesup North Pacific Expedition., p. 595-596.

3 Ignace, R. (2008). Our Oral Histories are Our Iron Posts: Secwépemc Stories and Historical Consciousness. Burnaby: Simon Fraser University. p. 92-93. Water is a vital and integral connection to the cultural, spiritual and ecological well-being of all in Secwépemcúl’ecw. The water worlds and Xqelmecwétkwe (water beings) throughout connected through aquifers and their relationship with all beings makes their management and maintenance fundamental to Secwépemc culture. The management, preservation and restoration of our water worlds for the sustainable continued use by Secwépemc People and the Xqelmecwétkwe (water beings) is the responsibility of Secwépemc. NOTES The Secwépemc Creation story tells us of our connection to water and Old One who sent Sk’lep to put the world to rights.

“At the beginning, the earth was very small, but it gradually became larger, emerging more and more from the waters…The people who inhabited the earth during this period partook of the characteristics of both men and animals. They were called stspetékwll. Some were cannibals. At that period many kinds of animals, birds and fishes did not exist, nor many kinds of trees, plants, and berries. The earth was much troubled with great winds, fires and floods. In those days the Old-One…. sent Coyote to travel over the world and put it to rights. He was gifted with magical power beyond that of all the other mythological beings, and had great knowledge and cunning; yet often he proved himself to be selfish, lazy and vain, doing many foolish and bad tricks. In fact, he was fond of amusing himself and playing tricks on other people. Nevertheless, he did a great deal of work which benefited the people, and did away with many evil beings. Although Coyote was a long time on earth and traveled all over it, yet he left much of his work undone. Probably his greatest work was the introducing of salmon into the rivers, and the making of fishing places… The Old-one was the chief of the ancient world, and finished the work of Coyote and other transformers, leaving the earth in the way we see it at present” 2

Secwépemc Ancestors tell of the earth emerging from the water and how the Old One sent Coyote to transform the earth and all animals and beings to their current characteristics. It was the Old One who also presented gifts to the people which separated them from the animals, one of the most important being the sq’ílye (sweat lodge). 778-471-8200 Secwépemc Spring Gathering