Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly  
Marius Auer, Communications Lead 
250-378-1864 
communications@cna-trust.ca 

October 16, 2024 

CITXW NLAKA’PAMUX ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCES RENEWAL OF MANDATE, SUPPORTING PARTICPATING BANDS IN ALL MINERAL RESOURCE ACTIVITES ON THEIR TERRITORY 

nłeʔképmx Territory – The Citxw Nlaka'pamux Assembly (CNA), representing eight nłeʔképmx Bands (listed below), is pleased to announce the renewal of the Territorial Stewardship Department (TSD) mandate, marking a significant shift in how mineral resource activities are reviewed within nłeʔképmx territory, and strengthening nłeʔképmx jurisdiction. 

The previous mandate, established in 2015, stated: "The Territorial Stewardship Department (TSD) was established in 2015 as in-house technical expertise to support the eight Participating Bands in implementing the Highland Valley Copper (HVC) Participation Agreement.” Since its inception, the TSD has developed a strong technical capacity, rooted in nłeʔképmx knowledge, values, and priorities, related to mining.  

Under the renewed mandate, the TSD will now: "Support the Participating Bands in making informed decisions relating to all mineral resource activities in nłeʔképmx territory by clearly identifying, mitigating, and resolving potential impacts to nłeʔképmx rights, title, values and interests.” This is to strengthen nłeʔképmx jurisdiction within nłeʔképmx territory and bring the communities’ process to the foreground of any mining proponent’s priorities. This will ensure that tmíxw 1 and people are protected and will promote sustainable land use, enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities. 

The Participating Bands may use the services of the TSD, at their discretion, to support their decision-making. The Participating Bands will retain their full, exclusive, decision-making authority with respect to mineral resource activities outside of the Highland Valley Copper Mine area. This process does not replace engagement and the crown’s legal duty to consult with the eight Participating Bands. 

Chief Christine Walkem, Chief of Cook's Ferry and Chair of the CNA Board, commented, “This renewed mandate reaffirms nłeʔképmx processes within the territory and strengthens our role in integrating nłeʔképmx values throughout the mining lifecycle. It ensures that our communities have a more significant voice and influence over mineral resource activities.” 

Nicole Johnny, Executive Director of CNA, added, “This work improves decision-making processes of the CNA Participating Bands and will enhance our cumulative understanding of mineral resource activities. This allows us to advocate more effectively for policy, legislative, and regulatory changes that benefit our communities.” 

Sarah Desrosiers, Territorial Stewardship Manager for CNA, stated, “The renewal of the TSD mandate enables us to maintain and enhance our strong relationships with the Participating Bands, governments, proponents, and other organizations. This collaborative approach ensures that nłeʔképmx priorities are consistently at the forefront of mineral resource developments.” 

1 tmíxw is understood not only as ground, earth, or land, but tmíxw is also a more encompassing term meaning the world in its entirety, under the earth, in the earth, above the earth, the water in all its forms, the winds, and the skies. 

About the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly – The Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) is a not-for-profit organization that was formed in 2013 to manage and administer the agreements relating to Teck Highland Valley Copper Mine (HVC) on behalf of Ashcroft Indian Band, Boston Bar First Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, Cook’s Ferry Indian Band, Nicomen Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Shackan Indian Band and Siska Indian Band (the Participating Bands). CNA work is rooted in thousands of years of history and a legacy of protecting the nłeʔképmx people and our culture, values, and territory. Headquartered in Merritt, B.C., the CNA provides training and job readiness along with cultural, social, and technical programming to the over 2780 members of the eight Participating Bands. 

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