Columbia Collaborative

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OUR MISSION

We work under a fundamental right and responsibility to govern and care for Tmicw within our Caretaker Areas that make up the Columbia River Basin.

As Secwépemc, our collaboration is guided by the Four Pillars of:

  • 1. Letwílc (Healing)
  • 2. Secwepemctsín (Language)
  • 3. Stsq̓ey̓ (Laws)
  • 4. Tmicw (Land/Water/Air)

As an act of reconciliation and assertion of traditional Secwépemc law and governance, the Columbia Collaborative works to ensure all stewardship efforts are discussed among the Secwepemc Caretaker communities which may be impacted. Through transparency and communication on all governance and stewardship concerns identified by each signatory community, the Columbia Collaborative intends to decolonize the current management practices in the Columbia Basin and strengthen our governance efforts through unity.

The Columbia Collaborative works to protect tmicw within the Columbia River Basin by:

  • Asserting and exercising Secwépemc law and jurisdiction within the Columbia River Basin
  • Moving to self-governance and the recognition, expression and jurisdiction of title and rights
  • Building government-to-government (G2G) relationships with all levels of government, and moving towards reconciliation and true co-management of tmicw
  • Identifying and participating in economic opportunities for the benefit of Secwépemc communities, and future generations and strengthening these opportunities as a collective
  • Addressing shared interests or concerns with other Nations
  • Collaboration efforts for initiatives and projects related to the Columbia River Basin

The Columbia Collaborative is an assembly of eastern Secwépemc leadership representatives to work together on similar interests but does not act as a political authority or restrict the signatory communities from independent decision-making.