FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 9, 2023
Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly Purchases THE Historic City of Merritt Courthouse
y̓é tək síƛ̓q̓t (ye-ah tik sheetl-qt) - good day!
The Citxw
Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) is pleased to announce that they have purchased the
historic City of Merritt Courthouse located at 1840 Nicola Avenue. The Old Courthouse
is located in the heart of Merritt and has been a landmark for over a century.
CNA plans to restore the building to create a culturally safe and vibrant space
for the community. The building will be used for cultural events, workshops and training and will have a space for Elders. CNA hopes this new space will
bring people together and create a sense of community in the city.
The Citxw
Nlaka’pamux Assembly was created 10 years ago, but its work is rooted in
hundreds of years of history and a legacy of protecting the nłeʔképmx people
and our culture, values, and territory. The Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) is
a not-for-profit organization that was formed in 2013 to manage and administer
the agreements relating to Teck Highland Valley Copper Mine (HVC) on behalf of
Ashcroft Indian Band, Boston Bar First Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, Cook’s
Ferry Indian Band, Nicomen Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Shackan Indian
Band and Siska Indian Band (the Participating Bands). CNA’s main office is
located in downtown Merritt at 2025 Granite Avenue.
“At Citxw
Nlaka’pamux Assembly, we are proud to own a space where we can let the roots of
our organization and communities grow. Acquiring this building supports the
continued growth and success of the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly. Through
programs and community engagement, the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly continues to
work with our members from our Participating Bands and the Nlaka’pamux Nation
to reclaim our Nlaka’pamux language and culture. The building will quite
literally become our Citxw – “house,” where we can gather, learn, teach, and
inform. This building supports our continued growth and will provide
efficiencies in engagement while also providing a culturally safe environment
informed by our Nlaka’pamux Identity once renovated.” – Chief
Christine Walkem, Chief of Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and Chair of CNA Board of Directors
For more information, please contact:
Marshal Polykovskiy, Communications and Engagement Manager
250-378-1864
mpolykovskiy@cna-trust.ca
cnacommunications@cna-trust.ca
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