The Ktunaxa Nation Council is applauding the Columbia River Treaty (CRT) agreement-in-principle (AIP) between the Canadian and U.S. governments.
The Ktunaxa Nation played an integral role in building Canada’s priorities at the negotiating table.
“When the treaty was first negotiated way back in the 60s, Indigenous nations were not part of the conversation,” said Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair Kathryn Teeneese.
“The fact that the three nations, the Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan, played a significant role in Canada’s team is significant in itself.”
Including Indigenous nations in the decision-making process led to new considerations in the treaty that had not previously been on the table.
“The idea that we were able to be a real part of the team made a huge difference for us. We’re residents of the Basin, as are our neighbours, and we are here to protect the interest of all people to make the Basin their home,” said Teeneese.
“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.”
The Ktunaxa Nation feels these additions to integrating ecosystem health, restoring fish populations and Indigenous cultural values into a modernized CRT.
“This is something that impacts us and our homeland, which has been our home for millennia,” said Teeneese.
“Things like the Ktunaxa creation story being acknowledged and recognizing that the Columbia River and all waterways in our homeland are important and foundational to who we are as people.”
The updated treaty will include updates to previous items as well, such as power-generation agreements for Canadian and American residents and flood controls.
“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,” said Teneese.
“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).”
While the AIP is a big step in the negotiation progress toward the CRT, there is still more work to be done before the final agreement is signed.
Previous: Canada and U.S. reach agreement-in-principle on Columbia River Treaty (July 11, 2024)
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