Lands and Resources Sector Council:

Sandra Luke (Chair) Lower Kootenay

Dan Gravelle Tobacco Plains

Jason Andrew ʔaq̓am

Alfred Joseph ʔakisq̓nuk

Nistamu 2018 December 2018

farthest from the sun Summary of KNC Fishery Guardian Activities, 2018 SeasonHabitat MonitoringKtunaxa Nation Council Fishery Guardians, Dominique Nicholas and Kenton Andreashuk conducted a series of habitat monitoring patrols in the east Kootenay on Monroe Lake, Tie/Rosen Lake, Moyie Lake, St. Mary’s lake and Jim Smith Lake. These patrols are to monitor the shoreline for critical fish habitat disturbances, unauthorized shoreline alterations, damage to Species at Risk Act (SARA) protected areas, and destruction of fish habitat. Kootenay Lake, Columbia River and Slocan River shoreline segments are also regularly monitored for habitat disturbance and unauthorized shoreline alterations. Fishery Guardians observed, recorded and filed enforcement reports for four separate habitat alteration occurrences including one unauthorized occurrence in White Sturgeon protected habitat.Compliance MonitoringFishery Guardians often conduct compliance checks within SARA White Sturgeon Protected Areas on the Columbia River to talk with and educate anglers, ensure anglers are compliant with the Recreational Fishing Regulations, as well as to ensure anglers are not using illegal gear that could be used to poach sturgeon.

Joint Enforcement PatrolsFishery Guardians conducted 2 joint patrol sessions with Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Officers this year. These joint patrols are mostly geared towards angler compliance with fishing regulations and updating DFO Officers on any habitat disturbances we may have come across during our habitat monitoring patrols.

TrainingFishery Guardians completed and re-certified in tactical training that included Use of Force techniques, self defense and weapons defense training.

ConferencesBoth Guardians attended the National Aboriginal Fishery Guardian Conference held in Richmond, British Columbia at the end of August to provide feedback to the federal government for the re-development of the national Fishery Guardian Program.

Community OutreachFishery Guardians are starting to reach out to Ktunaxa communities to discuss any fisheries compliance issues or habitat concerns that the communities may have. Please contact Fishery Guardians Dominique Nicholas or Kenton Andreashuk (contact info in Staff Directory page) if you have any concerns you wish to discuss. All information we receive will remain confidential.

Elk Valley Cumulative Effects Management FrameworkKtunaxa citizens have expressed serious concerns about the cumulative environmental and cultural effects of Elk Valley coal mining, and other activities, since ‘Elk Valley Strategy’ community workshops in 2007. This interest has been carried forward, and resulted in a legally-binding condition in the Environmental Assessment Certificate for the expansion of Teck’s Line Creek Operations (LCO) mine. The condition required Teck to develop an Elk Valley Cumulative Effects Management Framework (EV CEMF). Work on the CEMF started in late 2012 and was initially spearheaded by Teck working with the KNC. In early 2015, the BC government stepped into Teck’s leadership role and has co-lead the project since that time. The work has been guided by the EV CEMF Working Group.

To date, the cumulative effects assessment work has been focused on four ‘Valued Components’: aquatic ecosystems, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears and old and mature forests. Detailed technical analyses of cumulative effects on each of these VCs, going back to the 1950s and looking forward to the 2060s (ie., over 100 years) have been completed. These analyses are reported on in ‘Narrative Reports’.

A comprehensive Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management report has been completed. There are many important findings documented in the report, including:

• Grizzly bears and aquatic ecosystems are affected by the high density of roads in the Elk Valley. Roads need to be de-activated and reclaimed, or access to these roads very restricted.

• Old and mature forests are not being adequately protected, and if we wish to maintain biodiversity across the land-scape, more work is needed to better protect these forests.

• The highest value habitats for bighorn sheep have been significantly impaired and remaining high value habitats need to be protected.

Nicole Kapell is leading work to incorporate Ktunaxa values and knowledge into Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management.

We are now creating a plan to implement the framework and act on CEMF findings. As one first step, the KNC is leading a project to identify high priority roads for deactivation and reclamation or access management. We are working to realize Ktunaxa employment and contracting opportunities in 2019 as work starts on road deactivation and reclamation.

For more information, please contact Bill Green (bgreen@ktunaxa.org), Nicole Kapell (njkapell@ktunaxa.org) or Cathy Conroy (cconroy@ktunaxa.org)

Monologue for the Animals Op-Ed - submitted by Jim Clarricoates

Ekos, the Latin word for home. This word is the basis for other words, such as Ecosystem and Economy.Let’s explore the literal interpretation of theses word.... Ecosystem, interprets as “Home Dynamics” or “Working”, and Economy: “Home management”.Can we honestly say that these words are being represented to their literal meaning, or, have the principals that these words represent been distracted (as well as our focus and voice) because of the re-shuffling of the leadership with whom we deal. Each time the government changes, so does the economic strategies, however, changing the ecosys-tem has enormous implications to health and diversity. So, how can it be possible to change one without affecting the other… the answer is, you CAN’T. There is no way to ‘manage our home’ if we don’t understand the dynamics of that home. In order to be a productive ecosystem we need to understand how each living thing interacts with other living things, and to ensure that we do not dictate these interactions. Instead, we need to understand the human role in the animal kingdom. After all, the Creator has given us a brain system that can learn and adapt, but we need to begin thinking from the point of view of all living things, and not just for the benefit of human-kind. The only other thing on the planet that only benefits its’ own species is a virus… Is this the way we want to be known? As a species that devours its host until nothing is left for others and at the risk of extinguishing our own life!We have survived on this planet for many generations and we have the brain to survive many more, if our manage-ment involve a little empathy for the animals.

Erin Robertson at

ERobertson@ktunaxa.org

250-489-2464 ext: 3137

Vickie Thomas at

VThomas@ktunaxa.org

250-489-2464 ext: 4034

Community Dates: • ʔaq̓am – November 26, 2018, 5-8pm

• ʔakink̓umǂasnuqǂiʔit – Tobacco Plains Band: December 3, 2018, 5-8pm

• Yaqan nuʔkiy – Lower Kootenay Band: December 10, 2018, 5-8pm

• ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation: December 17, 2018, 5-8pm

Topics: • Introduction to the following IMBA related Projects and KNC staff involved: • Diet Study - Results from the last study, and suggestions to move forward • Wildfoods Program - Discussion and feedback • Access Task Group - Who, where, what, when and how.

Supper at 5:30pm! Door prizes include: • one $100 prize in gift cards (2 x $50) • two $50 gift cards • KNC “swag”

Extra door prize tickets if you bring your own dish and utensils.

Ian Froome Photography

2020

Our ProductsOur People

Growing TogetherAnna and Zane Gravelle take relationships to heart, both at home and at work.

The married couple of four years are both Teck employees and residents

of the Elk Valley in British Columbia, Canada. Together with their blended family of five children, Anna and Zane are members of the Aq’am (St. Mary’s Indian Band) and Tobacco Plains Indian Band, respectively, two of the four Ktunaxa Nation communities in B.C. When not on the job, the pair spend their time fishing on the lakes near their home, hunting wild game, and enjoying music and adventures with their kids.

“Even though our community is the smallest within the Ktunaxa Nation and our nation is one of the smallest within Canada, with a population of around 1,500–2,000, we’ve done a lot of footwork to ensure our cultures and traditions are still being practised,” says Anna.

Gaining KnowledgeThe Ktunaxa people are a distinct Indigenous and linguistic group who have historically occupied and protected their land while living in balance with nature. Preserving their culture remains of high importance today, but so does integrating with the communities within and surrounding their territory, which spans southeastern British Columbia, southwestern Alberta, and parts of Washington, Idaho and western Montana.

In May 2016, Teck signed an Impact Management and Benefits Agreement (IMBA) with the Ktunaxa Nation Council that is creating numerous long-term benefits for the Ktunaxa people and increased certainty around future

sustainable mining development in the region. Spanning approximately 40 years and all five of our steelmaking coal operations in the Elk Valley, it is one of the most comprehensive agreements of its kind in place in Canada.

“When I first started at Teck, there was very little knowledge about the Ktunaxa Nation; people didn’t know who the nation in the area was,” says Zane. “I really like the IMBA program and the steps that are being taken.”

Developing CareersZane’s relationship with Teck began through the Mining Apprenticeship Program (MAP) at the College of the Rockies, when he enrolled in a training program for Industrial Electricians and Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians.

“It was a great opportunity because you’re moving around from mine to mine and learning different things while progressing within your apprenticeship,” says Zane.

He knew he wanted to work close to home and family, so after completing the program he was pleased to accept a job as one of eight running repair field electricians at Line Creek Operations. Today, his primary duties involve keeping the shovels and drills running, as well as taking care of the mine facilities.

“I find it rewarding helping out at the mine site and knowing that there are a lot of things that are basically on my shoulders at certain times. My co-workers rely on my abilities, as I rely on theirs, while at the same time watching out for each other’s safety.”

Anna’s career with Teck began in a temporary role in 2017 and advanced to a permanent position earlier this year as an administrative assistant for the Environment and Social Responsibility team in Sparwood, B.C. Here, her day-to-day work includes onboarding staff during new-hire orientations, coordinating meetings, finance reconciliations, and vacation and schedule management.

Building RelationshipsAlong the way, both Zane and Anna say they have developed positive relationships with the people they work with. And, as the first Ktunaxa Nation couple both working at Teck, the Gravelles note they’ve seen a shift in the relationship between Teck and their community, and still see more opportunities in the future.

“Teck recently helped fund the Administration and Health Building in Tobacco Plains, which was quite an achievement,” says Zane. “We have our own healthcare system in our band, and Teck purchased a van for the healthcare workers. There are a lot of things that they do in general to help out the communities in the area, as well as in Ktunaxa communities.”

Adds Anna, “I feel like we have quite a few strong leaders right now who are guiding us in the right direction, and we make our presence well-known. It’s still a growing relationship, but it’s growing in the right direction for us.”

Volume 23, 2018

A Perfect Equation

People + Partnerships = Big Benefits

Creating Value, Changing Lives

Insights from Alannah Cervenko, Lead, Strategic Partnerships

Space: The Final Frontier...of Mining

Exploring Space-Based Resources

Re-printed with permission

“Connect” Vol 23 2018

21

Learning More: The Ktunaxa NationThe Ktunaxa, also known as the Kootenai or Kootenay, have occupied their land for over 10,000 years. The Elk Valley area is the main home of the easternmost branch of the Ktunaxa people, who are closely connected to families living at what is now Tobacco Plains. Additionally, three other Ktunaxa communities currently exist in Canada near Windermere, Cranbrook and Creston.

Over their long history, the Ktunaxa people have enjoyed the natural bounty of the land, seasonally migrating throughout their territory to follow vegetation and hunting cycles.

“Our homeland really defines who we were and who we are today; we have a huge responsibility to ensure this place continues to exist for future generations of Ktunaxa, as well as non-Ktunaxa people,” says Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair Kathryn Teneese.

“We need to try to figure out how we can move forward together in a way that makes sense, but that recognizes and acknowledges that we have a unique identity and connection to our homeland that no one else really has.”

The Ktunaxa Nation is achieving this by educating and supporting its neighbours, all while building relationships and economic opportunities for its people. Work done at the governing table is guided by the group’s vision statement that celebrates cultural identity, partnerships, and managing land and resources in a self-sufficient way.

For more on the Ktunaxa Nation, visit www.ktunaxa.org

Anna and Zane Gravelle

Wanuyitnamu

w l u m p a m w o o d s m f wa a m p i w i n t e r l u i i· n s e e c t s n v c e s r ⱡm d a z f v t l i x x d h e qi a t h o m e u p r ʔ z n g uⱡ w ʔ a x e n s q a x e y m ȼn a u ⱡ i n ʔ h x i n a p a ⱡi s n i s t a m u l y t i · ak e m k a p k i ʔ p e m l n ⱡt o i n p a ⱡ y a h t ʔ e i un h t i b · u ȼ k m i i s l ni s u ⱡ o s n o w i ⱡ k u n ie w q i o i x l i n o s a i dx o a k t ȼ i d t̓ t u k l k ae n t r e s o u r c e s u t yr s i t a ʔ a k u m ⱡ i ʔ i tʔ a ⱡ t u k ⱡ i ʔ i t n i y ox s i e g g n o g f r o s t yi t k i n b a s k e t o t a l

wanuyit nistamuwiⱡquȼⱡaⱡuni ʔakⱡuwa·miⱡniktni paⱡyawiⱡkuni haⱡikniⱡikʔakumⱡiʔit ʔunmituqatiⱡikʔaⱡtukⱡiʔitni ʔaⱡtuktiⱡitniʔakwit

Want to win a prize? Translate the words you found into English and email your answers to njkapell@ktunaxa.org.

Your name will be entered to win!

KNC Lands and Resources Staff DirectoryName Extension Job TitleAleitha Harvey 3120 Admininstrative Assistant

Alison Burton 3190 Qukin ʔamakʔis Stewardship Coordinator

Bill Green 3131 Special Initiatives Advisor

Cathy Conroy 4033 Terrestrial Biologist

Chad Luke Lands Stewardship Assistant

Craig Paskin 3124 Manager, Policy and Planning

Dominique Nicholas 4057 Fisheries Technician

Erin Robertson 3137 Lands Project Officer - Qukin ʔamakʔis

Heather McMahon 3172 Project Biologist

Jaime Vienneau 3130 Business Coordinator

Jim Clarricoates Senior Fisheries Technician

Jose Galdamez 3122 GIS Analyst

Katrina Caley 4062 Project Biologist

Kenton Andreashuk 3133 Fisheries Stewardship & Protection

Kerri Garner 3115 Lands Stewardship Manager

Michelle Dunn 4308 Referrals Coordinator

Misun Kang 3106 Aqautic Ecologist

Nathalie Allard 4309 Archaeology Technician

Nicole Kapell 3123 Land Use Research Program Coordinator

Ray Warden 3121 Lands Sector Director

Sancira Williams-Jimmy 4026 Admininstrative Assistant IMBA

Vickie Thomas 4034 Agreements Coordinator

Will Warnock 3134 Senior Aquatic Biologist

kukiȼinmiyitSUNDAY

kⱡaʾukinmiyitMONDAY

kⱡaʾaymiyitTUESDAY

kⱡaqaⱡsanmiyitWEDNESDAY

kⱡaxaȼanmiyitTHURSDAY

kⱡayi·kunmiyitFRIDAY

kⱡa iʾnmisanmiyitSATURDAY

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Tobacco Plains C&C meeting

Tobacco Plains C&C meeting

Inter-Sector Director Meeting

Akisnqnuk C&C meeting

ʔaq̓am C&Cmeeting

KKCFSS Board Meeting

KNC Christmas Party

Call to Gather – Lower Kootenay – 5pm

Call to Gather – ʔakisq̓nuk – 5pm

ʔaq̓am C&Cmeeting

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

KNGB Closed – Christmas Break

Call to Gather – Tobacco Plains – 5pm

KKCFSS Children Christmas Party

Nistamu farthest from the sun

2018