The Ktunaxa Nation has launched a book containing stories of the Nation’s people, culture, language and history.
Lillian Rose, Ktunaxa Nation Traditional Knowledge and Language Coordinator said the book is titled q̓apkiǂ.
“qÌ“apkiÇ‚, in Ktunaxa means ‘to tell someone everything.’ It’s a way of giving the general public and people within the territory a little bit of a personal glimpse into who makes up the Ktunaxa Nation,” said Rose.
The book contains photos from Ktunaxa communities in both Canada and the US.
“Over the course of a year, we commissioned a wonderful photographer to cover all of our cultural events, and out of that came thousands of beautiful portraits of the Ktunaxa people in all of our communities,” said Rose. “We had a very difficult time choosing which images were going to populate qÌ“apkiÇ‚.”
q̓apkiǂ was created by the Ktunaxa Nation in partnership with Parks Canada.
“There are seven national parks that are within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation,” said Rose. “Through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, there was a staff person who felt that she would do her part. The call to action number 79 about the Federal Government making space for Indigenous voices in the work they do in national parks was the impetus for starting discussions on this publication.”
The book has only recently launched, but Rose said it has received a positive reception so far.
“The feedback that we’re getting is really quite amazing. Everything from tears to people being quite impressed with the quality of the magazine,” said Rose. “It gives a really good look at the actual people who make up the nation because oftentimes we’re seen as an anonymous entity. This is about bringing life to Ktunaxa.”
Ktunaxa Nation officials said the book is available for purchase at select vendors around the region, including Skinkuȼ Treasures in Cranbrook, Four Points Books in Invermere and Legend Logos in Creston.
The book will also be available at each Ktunaxa community for nation members.
