April 2, 2025Protecting the R.au.Sh Valley and improving the wellbeing of the community by Youth Advisory Council (2024-2025 Cohort) One of British Columbia’s last largely intact inland ecosystems, the R.au.Sh (riviere Au Shuswap) is documented as an important site of use and occupation by Símpcwemc (Simpcw Peoples), with Símpcwemc continuing to gather, fish, hunt, and perform ceremony in this significant region.The area is home to over 100 provincial and federal plant and animal species at risk and contains four different biogeoclimatic subzones, one of which is dominated by a rare inland temperate rainforest.The diversity of the environment and its use by Símpcwemc over many generations is among the reasons that Simpcw First Nation announced publicly that it is declaring the R.au.Sh an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) in 2023.This self-declaration, according to the First Nation, is made based on the inherent rights and jurisdiction that Simpcw has over Simpcwúl’ecw, their unceded territory, as the decision-makers and stewards of the tmicw (land).“The western approach to conservation bars Indigenous peoples from meaningful decision-making on our territories, preventing us from carrying out cultural practices and learning about our history – this is an extension of the colonial practice of removing Indigenous peoples from our land,” George Lampreau, Kúkwpi7 (Chief) for Simpcw, said at the time.“Protecting the Raush as an IPCA allows us to continue to yecwmenúlecw (take care of the land) as we have for time immemorial.”Now, the First Nation is also working to protect the R.au.Sh in a way that improves the wellbeing of the community. Through engagement, economic opportunities, and tourism development, Simpcw is utilizing funding to ensure that the final Protected Area reflects “the wishes of Símpcwemc.”Articles for additional learning:Declaration of IPCA in The Raush Valley‘It is so beautiful’: rare inland rainforest in B.C. declared Indigenous protected areaExplore Related Content Youth Advisory CouncilIndigenous Land Guardians: Caring for land, water, wildlife, and cultureApril 2, 2025 Read more Youth Advisory CouncilHow are Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas different from Marine Protected Areas?April 2, 2025 Read more Youth Advisory Council, Youth VoicesWe deserve more than a false choice between nature and prosperity: Youth Advisory CouncilApril 2, 2025 Read more
