Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Nations, Water

Indigenous-led watershed protection effort lacking crucial municipal support in Okanagan

Leave a comment

By Aaron Hemens, IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Nearly every municipality, regional district, and First Nation across the Okanagan and Similkameen watersheds has signed on to a syilx-led initiative to restore and protect the region’s waters for the next seven generations. 

But the multi-government effort is missing two key players: the cities of Kelowna (kiʔláwnaʔ) and West Kelowna, representing a combined population of nearly 210,000 people, according to B.C. Stats.

Continue reading Indigenous-led watershed protection effort lacking crucial municipal support in Okanagan →
Indigenous Nations, Indigenous Nations History

Folk U: Chief Kevin Peacey on Politics, Projects & the Past (Part 1)

Leave a comment

Interview by Manda Aufochs Gillespie; written version by Roy L Hales  

On Friday, May 29, 2026, Chief Kevin Peacey of the Klahoose First Nation came to the Cortes Radio station, where he was interviewed by Manda Aufochs Gillespie. This is a highly edited and abridged transcript of that program.

In part one: Kevin talks about the Klahoose population, housing, the new cultural centre, the chief and council, canoe journeys and community activities.

Manda: “Cortes Community Radio sits on the ancestral and territorial lands of the Klahoose, Tla’amin, and perhaps the Homalco peoples. I’d like to thank this land, these people who have walked this land through time, and all those who continue to love and work to honour this place we call home. Today, we are very lucky to have our neighbour and leader of the Klahoose First Nation join us in the studio. Chief Kevin Peacey, thank you so much for being here.”

Kevin: “Thank you for having me.”

Continue reading Folk U: Chief Kevin Peacey on Politics, Projects & the Past (Part 1) →
Indigenous Nations

Folk U: Chief Kevin Peacey on Politics, Projects & the Past (Part 2)

Leave a comment


Interview by Manda Aufochs Gillespie; written version by Roy L Hales

This is the second half of a highly abridged text version of Manda Aufochs Gillespie’s interview with Chief Kevin Peacey of the Klahoose First Nation.

In Part 2 Kevin talks about QXMC businesses, the new restaurant in Gorge Harbour, the Squirrel Cove project, Treaty Negotiations, Land & Rights, Klahoose History, his own life and Future Challenges   

Manda: “I want to talk a little bit about your development arm, Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC). What is its relationship to Klahoose?”

Kevin: “The corporation is Klahoose. We just keep it hands-off so that we’re not bugging them with, ‘We need this, we need that.’ We let the corporation do what they need to do.”

Continue reading Folk U: Chief Kevin Peacey on Politics, Projects & the Past (Part 2) →
Indigenous Nations

Tsawwassen backs K’ómoks and Kitselas ratification amid mounting territorial disputes

Leave a comment

By Radha Agarwal, Delta Optimist, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Drawing on nearly two decades of self-governance, Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) is endorsing the ratification of the K’ómoks and Kitselas Final Agreements.

The Nation asserts that the success of these new treaties is a vital legal precedent required to unlock TFN’s own pending treaty modifications.

Continue reading Tsawwassen backs K’ómoks and Kitselas ratification amid mounting territorial disputes →
Forests, Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Peoples are more protective of forests and biodiversity, study finds

A new UBC led study of 111 peer-reviewed papers found that forests and biodiversity are better, or at least equally, protected if they are managed by Indigenous peoples. Between 2005 and 2012, vegetation loss in native areas of the Brazilian Amazon was 17 times lower. In Australia, 60% of the nation’s 1,574 threatened species were found on Indigenous lands. In the United States, Indigenous lands harbour more mature trees and higher tree volume. Close to two-thirds of the articles noted that Indigenous peoples were themselves threatened, and some offered suggestions to either provide resources or strengthen their tenure over the land. While little of the material dealt with British Columbia, lead author William Nikolakis has worked with First Nations in the Interior and was prepared to comment.   

Continue reading Indigenous Peoples are more protective of forests and biodiversity, study finds →