Kiʔsuʔk kyukyit (Good day)
This page serves to provide information for statements, notices, and information regarding harvesting activities within ɁamakɁis Ktunaxa, the homelands of the Ktunaxa People.
The Ktunaxa Nation exercises its inherent rights and responsibilities to steward and protect the lands, waters, plants and wildlife as part of our stewardship principle ʔa·kxamis q̓api qapsin (all living things).
The information provided on this page does not grant permission or authorization to harvest.
Request to harvest within ɁamakɁis Ktunaxa
To express interest in harvesting plants in ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa, click the link below to fill out a form, or email lands@ktunaxa.org.
Express Interest: Form
ɁamakɁis Ktunaxa
Our culture and identity are rooted in our land.
Ktunaxa people have occupied the lands adjacent to the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers and the Arrow Lakes of British Columbia, Canada for more than 10,000 years.
ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa covers about 70,000 square kilometres within the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. Historically, ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa included parts of Alberta, Montana, Washington and Idaho.
For thousands of years, we enjoyed the natural bounty of the land, moving throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa to follow vegetation and hunting seasonal cycles.
We obtained all our food, medicine and material for shelter and clothing from nature – hunting, fishing and gathering throughout our territory, across the Rocky Mountains and on the Great Plains of both Canada and the United States.
Now, Ktunaxa First Nations and Kootenay Tribes (based in Montana and Idaho) are rebuilding self-governance, revitalizing our language, and bringing our values and stewardship principles forward as we assert our right and responsibility to care for ʔa·kxam̓is q̓api qapsin (all living things) in ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa.
ʔa·knusti Land Guardians
ʔa·knusti are guardians upholding Ktunaxa responsibilities by protecting ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa for future generations, in honour of those who came before.
ʔa·knusti play an important role that has been practiced since time immemorial. The ʔa·knusti Guardian Program was created to uphold this responsibility and to help protect ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa.
The Ktunaxa creation story tells of the creation of ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa. Through the Ktunaxa covenants, the Ktunaxa were given the responsibility to remain here forever as keepers and protectors of the land.
The role of an ʔa·knusti has many forms. An ʔa·knusti may protect the land, waters, people, or animals, or serve as a scout, midwife, messenger, or in other important roles. Whatever the responsibility, ʔa·knusti uphold Ktunaxa values and responsibilities through stewardship, protection, and care for ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa.
REACH OUT TO US
By email: aknusti@ktunaxa.org
By phone: (250) 489-2464
