Simpcw declares Raush Valley an indigenous protected and conserved area
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KAMLOOPS — The Simpcw First Nation has announced today (March 27) that they have declared the Raush (Rivere Au Shuswap) Valley an indigenous protected and conserved area (IPCA).
“This self-declaration is made based on the inherent rights and jurisdiction that Simpcw has over Simpcwúl’ecw, our unceded territory, as the decisionmakers and stewards of the tmicw (land),” reads the release. “Designating the Raush Valley as an IPCA is a commitment to Simpcw’s intentions to conserve this biodiverse valley, and to protect Símpcwemc (Simpcw peoples) traditional and ongoing use of the area.”
Kukwpi7 George Lampreau stated the bands goal is to protect the region for the next generation.
“Creating an IPCA in the Raush Valley is our longterm commitment to conserve lands and waters for future generations. The Raush is important to Símpcwemc historically and currently, and we will exercise our rights to control what happens in this valley. The area has had little resource development, and we intend to conserve it. The western approach to conservation bars Indigenous peoples from meaningful decision-making on our territories, preventing us from carrying out cultural practices and learning about our history – this is an extension of the colonial practice of removing Indigenous peoples from our land. Protecting the Raush as an IPCA allows us to continue to yecwmenúlecw (take care of the land) as we have for time immemorial.”
