The Ktunaxa

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Who are the Ktunaxa (Kootenay)?

In 1990 our Tribal Council changed its name from the Kootenay Indian Area Council to the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council, and then again in summer 2005 to the Ktunaxa Nation Council.

Ktunaxa is our traditional name for Kootenay (also spelled Kootenai, Kootney, Kutenai, Kootni...). Kinbasket actually refers to the family of Chief Kinbasket of the Shuswap Nation (also known as Secwepemc) who came into our traditional territory around 150 to 180 years ago. The Ktunaxa Chiefs welcomed him and his clan into our territory, and permitted him to become a part of our nation.

The Ktunaxa are characterized by two distinctive groups the Upper and Lower Ktunaxa.

We are a small nation, and a unique one divided by the 49th parallel. There are seven Bands belonging to our nation - five in Canada and two in the USA. The 5 Canadian Bands are all in British Columbia - Columbia Lake near Windermere, Lower Kootenay near Creston, St. Mary's near Cranbrook, Shuswap near Invermere, Tobacco Plains near Grasmere (Roosville Border) crossing. Our traditional territory is the entire lands of the Kootenay (east and west Kootenay) in southeast BC and extends into the USA. The USA Bands are called tribes and are the Confederated Salish Kooteni near Elmo, Montana, and Kootenay Tribe of Idaho at Bonner's Ferry.

Although it is the five Canadian Bands that work together primarily through the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council and the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Treaty Society, we do communicate regularly with our two USA tribes who are governed by USA legislation.

"We know what are lands are... where we have a name for a place, that is our lands. Where we do not, it is not ours."

Our people have always resided in the lands we call our traditional territory. This is supported by archaeological evidence of more than 10,000 years and in some areas of 14,000 years. We were a nomadic people who hunted and followed our food, lived in teepees year round, and hunted buffalo in the area of what is known today as Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump.

Housing

The standard dwelling of the Upper Kootenai was a tipi covered with skins. Often the skins were bison or elk hides sewn together by sinew. Later when trade came, tipis were covered with canvas. Historically, the Kootenai were not known to paint their tipis.

In the summer a cooler tipi was covered with mats woven of reeds - this tipi was called a tulé. These tipis are considered by some to be the standard summer dwelling of the Lower Kootenai.

The Upper and Lower Kootenai were also known to construct a long house made of mats. The site was prepared by digging away at least a foot in depth. This dwelling was the commonly used by the Lower Kootenai in the winter.

Our Language

The Ktunenian language is unique. It is one of the 11-14 Indigenous languages in Canada, and can not be associated with any other language, neighbour or otherwise. Historically an oral language, the Ktunaxa have created a written form. Through the efforts of the Ktunaxa Bands and our School System, Ktunaxa children and others attending Band and public schools in the East Kootenay region can become Ktunaxa language students and receive credits in the public high schools. (Ktunaxa words)

Our Culture

It is top priority of our Bands and Nation to ensure the survival of our language and culture, despite the fact that so many of our Elders have passed on and that few of the one's that are still alive are highly knowledgeable of our culture and history... and so is the legacy of the Indian residential school.

Of particular interest to some is the Ktunaxa (Kootenay) canoe. The design is found in one other place in the world, South America. I urge you to find out more.

The Ktunaxa Today

Today in 2001 there are approximately 1,200 registered members of the Ktunaxa Nation; there are many others who are not registered in the Canadian government Indian registry and also does not include our people who are members of the Ktunaxa USA tribes. Anywhere from 40-55% of our population are under the age of 25 years.

In 1993, we became party to the Modern Day Treaty Making Process (see BC Treaty Commission). Our Bands are actively building their economy through business initiatives mainly in the tourism industry and housing developments. Some of the businesses our Bands own are - golf courses, campgrounds, a guide outfitting territory, housing developments, greenhouse (new business), water & sewage, and the Tobacco Plains Duty Free (at the Roosville Border Crossing). The two Bands (tribes) in the USA are also very active in development including ownership of the Resort/Casino at Bonner's Ferry.