The Simpcw First Nation has declared Raush (Rivere Au Shuswap) Valley located between McBride and Valemount as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).

It says the self-declaration is based on the inherent rights and jurisdiction that it has over its unceded territory.

Two areas of the Raush valley – the Lower Raush at 1,279 hectares and the Upper Raush at 5,582 hectares – are currently protected by BC Parks, but Simpcw is promising to conserve a far larger area.

“Creating an IPCA in the Raush Valley is our long-term commitment to conserve lands and waters for future generations,” Simpcw Kukpi7 George Lampreau, said, in a news release. “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 Simpcw says it will be looking at “additional mechanisms” to protect the Raush Valley, noting it has support for this IPCA from relevant industry and government partners and neighbouring First Nations.

“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, “Lampreau added.

“Protecting the Raush as an IPCA allows us to continue to yecwmenúlecw (take care of the land) as we have for time immemorial.”