kinq̓uq̓anki Stewardship Project

The Ktunaxa Nation has been stewarding these lands since time immemorial. In modern times, the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC) and ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation (AFN) have brought together the various land managers to steward the east side of Columbia Lake for Ktunaxa values. The project received its name, kinq̓uq̓anki, from a group of elders. Though the full meaning of this word has been lost, we know it is associated with the east side of Columbia Lake and thought to refer to the placing of boughs on the trail to bless a journey. The east side of Columbia Lake was certainly a place where journeys began for Ktunaxa ʔaqⱡsmaknik (people). There are many stories of Ktunaxa ʔaqⱡsmaknik travelling over the mountains from this area to hunt bison and trade with the ʔaqⱡsmaknik east of the Rockies.

Community engagement identified key stewardship goals for kinq̓uq̓anki, including improving ungulate habitat, protecting cultural resources, and getting more Ktunaxa ʔaqⱡsmaknik onto the land. Stewardship actions revolve around reducing forest encroachment, bringing fire back to the land, managing recreation and inventorying cultural heritage resources.