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Our work is rooted in ensuring nłeʔképmx people have a say in decisions that matter for our people, in accordance with our values and knowledge. Together we will determine how to protect our culture and care for our lands, water, fish, and wildlife.
A vital component of ensuring this occurs is the nłeʔképmx (NLX) Guardians. The Guardians strive to build stronger connections amongst the territory through land-based learning and youth-elder ties. They support nłeʔképmx communities in actualizing their inherent rights by being boots-on-the-ground and eyes-and-ears to monitor, record, and display self-governance over the land. The NLX Guardians play a crucial role in environmental stewardship by actively engaging in the protection and restoration of tmixʷ (the land). They monitor wildlife populations, track changes in the landscape, and document environmental impacts across nłeʔképmx territory, working closely with local authorities and community members to ensure that tmixʷ and the people are protected, providing valuable insights based on their deep knowledge of the territory. They preserve and promote the transmission of nłeʔképmx knowledge, protocols, laws, and ceremonies to future generations. By doing so, they strengthen community ties and foster a deeper understanding and respect for nłeʔképmx culture.
Within the TSD, the Mining and Regulatory engagement team works side by side with the Guardians. Together, their joint efforts work to strengthen nłeʔképmx identity, promote sustainable land use, and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities.
The Mining and Regulatory Engagement side of the TSD ensures all mineral resource activity upholds nłeʔképmx Rights and Title, values, and interests and implements the Cultural Heritage, Environmental and Regulatory aspects within the Participation Agreement between the eight participating Bands and Highland Valley Copper Mine (HVC). Since its inception, the TSD has developed a strong technical capacity, rooted in nłeʔképmx knowledge, values, priorities, related to mining. The TSD supports Participating Bands in making informed decisions relating to mineral resource activities in the nłeʔképmx territory by clearly identifying, mitigating, and resolving potential impacts to to nłeʔképmx rights, title, value, and interests. This is to strengthen nłeʔképmx jurisdiction within the nłeʔképmx territory and bring in the communities' process to the foreground of any decision-making authority with respect to mineral resource activities outside the Highland Valley Copper Mine area.
This process does not replace engagement and the crown's legal duty to consult with the eight Participating Bands. We support our Participating Bands in sustainably managing natural resources and economic development in the nłeʔképmx territory in relation to mineral resource activities (i.e. mineral exploration, placer operations, major mines, etc.)
Additionally the TSD, works alongside other departments at the CNA, to protect and revitalize nłeʔképmx food sovereignty and security while safeguarding tmixʷ and resources that are vital to the nłeʔképmx.
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