Threatened sageland habitat returned the Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Conservation Northwest / Oct 11, 2024 / Connecting Habitat, First Nations, Protecting Wildlands
Conservation Northwest honored the smalqmix Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB), based in Cawston, British Columbia, for our partnership that has spanned more than 25 years. Mitch Friedman, CNW’s executive director, handed a check for $350,000 (US) to kal?lupaqn, Chief Keith Crow of the LSIB.

The funds are in support of the Band’s work to protect natural resources within its territory, in particular the acquisition of 157 acres of priceless sageland habitat, known as akłx̌ipwl̓x or Green Point, on the west shore of Palmer Lake, in Washington’s Okanogan County.
The funds are also in support of other objectives and efforts in which CNW supports the LSIB, including:
- Protection of the Similkameen River from harm caused by mining, in particular, the proposed expansion of Copper Mountain mine;
- Final negotiations with the governments of BC and Canada to establish a National Park Reserve on LSIB territory; and
- Protection of the Ashnola River Valley through a declaration of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area.
“This is a great occasion made possible by the partnership of Conservation Northwest with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, not only for the sməlqmíx, but for anyone wishing to return a balance to tmixʷ*.,” said Kal?lupaqn Chief Keith Crow of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band. “tmixʷ” is an nsyilxcən word that describes how “all living things” are connected to “that which gives us life.” Humans, animals, reptiles, birds, plants, medicines, aquatic life, and others, are all connected to each other, and to the Earth. The sməlqmíx have significant history in the lands from before contact and before any border was made, as we know and as our Okanagan & Colville family know. There are places in and around this land where the sməlqmíx would travel to have community, to experience visions, and to sweat, among many other things. Conservation Northwest continues to put tmixʷ at the forefront of its purpose and mission, and the sməlqmíx have nothing but gratitude for this, and the gift of CNW’s help & cooperation in making this happen. limləmt to all who support CNW, to all who support the sməlqmíx, and all who support balance to tmixʷ.”
This is the second time Conservation Northwest has provided substantial funding to the LSIB. The first time was through an agreement the two reached in 1999, providing $250,000 as the Band negotiated the establishment of the 70,000-acre Snowy Mountain Protected Area on the U.S. border. This area adjoins the wildlands of Washington’s Loomis State Forest, which Conservation Northwest had just protected the previous year.
The granted funds invested in the LSIB’s potential to generate revenues from sustainable means such as ecoforestry, ecotourism, and a new band office.
Mitch Friedman said, “Among the greatest joys, honors, and privileges of my career and life has been our relationship with the LSIB. This is a beautiful community blessed to live in and steward a most beautiful landscape. I hope that the LSIB and its Similkameen territory remain strong and healthy for thousands of years to come, and that CNW’s support and impact last for many of those years.”
The grant was made possible by generous gifts to CNW from the Connell Family and other Conservation Northwest donors.
*“Tmixʷ” is an nsyilxcən word that describes how “all living things” are connected to “that which gives us life.” Humans, animals, reptiles, birds, plants, medicines, aquatic life, and others are all connected to each other, and to the Earth. -Lower Similkameen Indian Band
