territorial stewardship 

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. Our work is rooted in ensuring nłeʔképmx people have a say in decisions that matter for our people, in accordance with our values and knowledge. Together we will determine how to protect our culture, care for our lands, water, fish, and wildlife.

A vital component of ensuring this occurs is the nłeʔképmx (NLX) Guardians. The Guardians strive to build stronger connections amongst the territory through land-based learning and youth-elder ties. They support nłeʔképmx communities in actualizing their inherent rights by being the boots-on-the-ground and the eyes-and-ears to monitor, record, and display self-governance over the land. The NLX Guardians play a crucial role in environmental stewardship by actively engaging in the protection and restoration of tmixʷ (the land). They monitor wildlife populations, track changes in the landscape, and document environmental impacts across nłeʔképmx territory, working closely with local authorities and community members to ensure that tmixʷ and the people are protected, providing valuable insights based on their deep knowledge of the territory. They preserve and promote the transmission of nłeʔképmx knowledge, protocols, laws, and ceremonies to future generations. By doing so, they strengthen community ties and foster a deeper understanding and respect for nłeʔképmx culture.

Additionally, the TSD, in collaboration with other departments at the CNA, works to protect and revitalize Indigenous food sovereignty and security while safeguarding tmixʷ and resources that are vital to the nłeʔképmx. Together, these efforts strengthen nłeʔképmx identity, promote sustainable land use and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities.

This work is supported by the Mining and Regulatory Engagement side of the TSD, which works to ensure all mineral resource activity upholds nłeʔképmx Right and Title, values, and interests. Since its inception, the TSD has developed a strong technical capacity, rooted in nłeʔképmx knowledge, values, and priorities, related to mining.  The TSD supports the Participating Bands in making informed decisions relating to 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 the nłeʔképmx territory and bring the communities’ process to the foreground of any mining proponent’s priorities. The Participating Bands may use the services of the TSD, at their discretion, to support their decision-making. The Participating Bands 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. We support our Participating Bands in sustainably managing natural resources and economic development in the nłeʔképmx territory in relation to mineral resource activities (ie. mineral exploration, placer operations, major mines, etc).

• Community Working Groups
• Mining and Regulatory Engagement 
  
• Research and Projects
  
• Resources
  
• nłeʔképmx Guardians
  

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Wildlife Survey Results