Shuswap Nation Tribal Council facts for kids
The Shuswap Nation Tribal Council is an important group that helps different First Nations communities work together. It is a Tribal Council located in the Canadian province of British Columbia. This council helps guide and support several communities of the Secwépemc people. The Secwépemc are also known as the Shuswap people.
The council's main office is in Kamloops, British Columbia. Its member communities are mostly found in the Thompson and Shuswap areas of central British Columbia. One community is also located near the upper Columbia River in the East Kootenay region. The Shuswap Nation Tribal Council is one of two main councils for the Secwépemc people. The other is the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, which is located further north in the Cariboo region.
What is a Tribal Council?
A Tribal Council is like a group that brings together several First Nations communities, often called "bands." These communities share a similar culture, language, or history. The council helps them work together on important issues. This can include things like protecting their land, managing resources, or supporting their culture and education. It helps the communities have a stronger voice when dealing with governments or other groups.
Who are the Member Communities?
The Shuswap Nation Tribal Council includes ten different Secwépemc communities, also known as bands. Each of these communities has its own leaders and traditions, but they work together through the council.
Here are the communities that are part of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council:
- Adams Lake Indian Band (their traditional name is Sexqeltqin)
- Kamloops Indian Band (their traditional name is T'Kemlups)
- Shuswap Indian Band (their traditional name is Kenpesq't, located near Invermere)
- Little Shuswap Indian Band (their traditional name is Skwlax, located near Chase)
- Neskonlith Indian Band (their traditional name is Sk'etsin, located near Salmon Arm and Chase)
- Skeetchestn Indian Band (located near Savona)
- Spallumcheen Indian Band (their traditional name is Splatsin, located near Enderby)
- Bonaparte Indian Band (their traditional name is St'uxwtews, located near Cache Creek)
- Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band (their traditional name is Pelltiq't, located near Clinton)
- North Thompson Indian Band (their traditional name is Simpcw, located near Barriere)
Some Secwépemc communities are not part of either the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council or the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council. These include the Alkali Lake Indian Band (Esketemc), the High Bar First Nation (Llenlleney'ten), and the Pavilion Indian Band (Tsk'weylecw). The Pavilion Band is also a member of the Lillooet Tribal Council.
