| Upper Similkameen First Nation

Edit
Conflict Score

Conflict Score

i
+3
Community Profile
Community Profile
Last Updated September 8, 2024
  • Name: Upper Similkameen (ISC Code: 599)
  • Former Names:
  • Band Style:
  • Cultural Area:
  • Indigenous Language:
  • Number of Registered Members: 332
Click below for more information about Upper Similkameen:
Governance

Band Council

  • GOVERNANCE TYPE:
  • TERM EXPIRES: 03/02/2026
  • CHIEF: BONNIE JACOBSEN
  • NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS: 3
    • BONNIE JACOBSEN Edit
    • MICHAEL ALLISON Edit
    • CHARLES ALLISON Edit

Contact Information

  • BAND WEBSITE: /nations/483
  • PHONE NUMBER: (250) 292-8733
  • FAX NUMBER: (250) 292-8753
  • ADDRESS: PO BOX 220, HEDLEY, BC
  • EMAILS:
    • Chief BONNIE JACOBSEN:
    • Councillor MICHAEL ALLISON:
    • Councillor CHARLES ALLISON:
    • General Band Office:
    • Media Contact:
    • Referrals Contact:

Laws, Bylaws, and Codes

Add

Intergovernmental Agreements

Add
Lands and Traditional Territory

Reserves

  • ISC Code: 7410
    CHUCHUWAYHA 2
    2277.1 Hectares
    SIMILKAMEEN DISTRICT, ON THE SIMILKAAMEEN RIVER, AT MOUTH OF HEDLEY CREEK
    [49.3497188, -120.0853458]
  • ISC Code: 7414
    LULU 5
    20.2 Hectares
    SIMILKAMEEN DISTRICT ON LEFT BANK OF THE SIMILKAMEEN RIVER AT MOUTH OF ARCAT CREEK 13 MILES E OF PRINCETON
    [49.4037405, -120.2294302]
  • ISC Code: 7415
    ONE MILE 6
    4.0 Hectares
    YALE DISTRICT ON WEST SIDE OF THE PRINCETON-MERRIT ROAD 10 MILES NORTH OF PRINCETON WEST OF ADJOINING LOT 1011
    [49.5910194, -120.5651865]
  • ISC Code: 7409
    VERMILION FORKS 1
    3.2 Hectares
    SIMILKAMEEN DISTRICT, ON RIGHT BANK OF THE SIMILKAMEEN RIVER NORTH OF LOT 1822, C.G.
    [49.46315629999999, -120.5017585]
  • ISC Code: 7411
    CHUCHUWAYHA 2C
    121.4 Hectares
    SIMILKAMEEN DIST., LOT 2899, G.1, AT HEADWATERS OF JOHNS CREEK, 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HEDLEY
    [49.320656, -120.1376004]
  • ISC Code: 7413
    NINE MILE CREEK 4
    80.1 Hectares
    SIMILKAMEEN DISTRICT ON LEFT BANK OF SIMILKAMEEN RIVER AT MOUTH OF STEVEN CREEK
    [49.4397762, -120.2982497]
  • ISC Code: 9966
    ILTCOOLA IR NO. 7
    17.4 Hectares
     
    [nil, nil]
  • ISC Code: 7412
    WOLF CREEK 3
    202.5 Hectares
    SIMILKAMEEN DISTRICT, ON RIGHT BANK OF THE SIMILKAMEEN RIVER AT MOUTH OF WOLFE CREEK, 9 MILES EAST OF PRINCETON
    [40.3572976, -74.6672226]

Traditional Territory

  • Katzie Official Traditional Territory Map [pdf]
  • Interactive Map
  • The Upper Similkameen First Nation’s traditional territory encompasses significant portions of the Lower Fraser River, Pitt River, and Pitt Lake. The territory extends through modern-day Langley, Mission, Surrey, New Westminster, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Richmond, among others.
  • The Upper Similkameen people have historically used the land for fishing, hunting, and gathering. Significant fishing sites include the Pitt River and Fraser River for salmon harvesting.
  • Interactive Map of Katzie Traditional Territory: Click here to view a detailed interactive map showing the boundaries and key cultural sites.
  • Historical Land Use: The Katzie people have lived in this region for thousands of years, practicing sustainable resource management and protecting sacred areas such as Pitt Lake and its surrounding wetlands. For more information on Katzie’s historical land use, visit Katzie Traditional Land Use Reports.
  • In addition to key fishing sites, the Katzie historically used the upland forests of Blue Mountain for hunting and gathering. This area remains central to Katzie’s cultural practices today.

Land Claims

  • Specific Claims None
  • BC Treaty Process Participation: The Katzie First Nation is a participant in the British Columbia Treaty Process, which aims to resolve land claims and establish new agreements regarding land, resources, and self-governance.
  • Treaty Negotiation Status: Katzie First Nation is currently in **Stage 4** of the BC Treaty Process, where they are negotiating an Agreement-in-Principle with the governments of British Columbia and Canada. This stage focuses on addressing key issues such as land ownership, resource rights, and governance over traditional territories. You can read more about their progress in the process at the BC Treaty Commission.
  • Negotiation Issues: The Katzie First Nation is negotiating on several issues, including:
    • Self-governance over their lands and resources
    • Fishing rights and management of the **Fraser River** and **Pitt River** ecosystems
    • Forest resource management and protection of sacred sites like **Pitt Lake**
    • Economic development opportunities and rights to traditional lands
  • Katzie Treaty Process Summary: For a full overview of Katzie’s involvement in the BC Treaty Process, visit the Katzie First Nation profile on the BC Treaty Commission website.
  • Timeline of Negotiations: Katzie First Nation has been in negotiations since **Stage 1** of the treaty process in the early 1990s. They have achieved significant milestones, including interim agreements on fisheries and land use, while continuing negotiations toward a final treaty agreement.

Lands Administration

  • Land Code: ✔
  • Land Code Document: PDF
  • Land Use Plan: PDF
  • Land Code Contact: N/A
  • Part of Guardians Program: ✔
  • Guardians Program Notes: N/A
  • Related Documents: Environmental Management Plan [Part 1] [PDF]
Consultations and Referrals

Band Submissions

Add

Consultation Reports

Add
Band Business Interests

Band Owned Corporations

Add
Court Records

Downloadable Court Decisions

Add

Active Court Cases

Add
Media Reports

Media Reports

Add
Academic Research

Academic Research

Add
Expert Analysis Add