We Are sməlq’mix
Where We Live and Work
sḱʷlkʷalt Forestry LP operates in the Similkameen Valley, with a focus on sustainable forestry practices and land stewardship.
Sites include IR #13, Little Chopaka, the Ashnola Corridor, and Olalla.
The sməlq’mix, also known as the Similkameen, is a valley located in the southern
interior of British Columbia, Canada. The Similkameen Valley is surrounded by the Cascade Mountains
to the west and the Okanagan Highlands to the east.
sməlq’mix is an nsyilxcən word, referring to the Similkameen River
that flows through the valley. The river is a significant feature of the region, providing water for
agriculture, wildlife, and communities.
The valley is also known for its agricultural activities, with orchards, vineyards, and farms.
Who We Are
The smelqmix people have lived on these lands for thousands of years. We have been stewards of the land and water, and now one of the ways we continue to practice our stewardship is through sḱʷlkʷalt Forestry LP.
What We Do
sḱʷlkʷalt Forestry LP is a business that focuses on harvesting, reforesting initiatives, and land stewardship.
We follow syilx Forestry Standards, which are based on traditional ecological knowledge and modern forestry practices.
stɬʔtaɬts iʔ sməlqmix
aɬi st’ək̓ʷk̓ʷxixtət tl k̓ʷl̕əncutn iʔ sk̓əɬtrar̓tət
nix iʔ sc̓x̌ʷax̌ʷtət tl capt̕ikʷɬ iʔ skc̓x̌ʷx̌ʷiplaʔtntət iʔ tə stɬʔtaɬtət
ixi ki aʔts k̓ɬqixʷstm yʕayʕat sx̌əlx̌alt iʔ siwɬkʷtət, tmxʷulaxʷtət, timxʷtət uɬ sqilxʷ
ax̌a i kʷu sməlqmix i tmxʷu’laxʷtət
məɬ kɬ t̕s xʷuys lut pnkin̓ t̕aks xʷic̓xmntm̓ uɬ t̕aks tuʔmistmntm̓
Sovereignty is given by the Creator
And all the laws and responsibilities which define sməlqmix collective cultural code.
Our disciplines passed from the creator through an oral culture
Defining Title, Rights and Responsibility as an individual or nation.
Every day sməlqmix defend water, land, four sacred life forces and people;
Therefore the sməlqmix have never given or sold our sovereign territory.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.