Lower Similkameen Indian Band Explained

The Lower Similkameen Indian Band or Lower Smelqmix ('''N̓iʔxʷín̓aʔ'''),^[1] is a First Nations band government in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Their office was in the village of Keremeos in the Similkameen region,^[2] until 2015 when they moved into their own $7million multi-purpose facility south of Cawston.^[3] They are a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance.

Population

The band's registered population is 500 with 209 band members living off-reserve^{[4] [5]} with a total area of 15,048.80 ha.^[6]

The people are known as the Smelqmix (also written as Smalqmix or Sməlqmix), speaking the endangered Nsyilxcen language.^[7]

Indian reserves

Indian reserves under the band's administration are spread out over 90km. They are:^[8]

• Alexis Indian Reserve No. 9, on the left bank of the Similkameen River 4 miles west of Keremeos, 168.70 ha. 49.2167°N -119.9°W^[9]
• Ashnola Indian Reserve No. 10, on the right bank of the Similkameen River at its junction with the Ashnola River, 3415 ha. 49.2167°N -120°W^[10]
• Blind Creek Indian Reserve No. 6, on Blind Creek, 4 miles southeast of Keremeos, 161 ha. 49.1833°N -119.7333°W^[11]
• Blind Creek Indian Reserve No. 6A, west of Barcelo Road, 1 mile west of IR No. 6, 0.10 ha. 49.1833°N -119.75°W^[12]
• Chopaka Indian Reserve Nos. 7 & 8 (C̓up̓áq̓), on the right bank of the Similkameen River, north of and adjoining the international boundary, 1537.80 ha. These two reserves are the most populated of the band's reserves.^[13] 49.0431°N -119.7181°W^[14]
• Keremeos Forks Indian Reserve Nos. 12 & 12A, on Keremeos Creek at mouth of Marset Creek, 7 miles north of Keremeos, 954.10 ha. 49.3°N -119.8167°W^[15]
• Lower Similkameen Indian Reserve No. 2, on the Similkameen River 6 miles southeast of Keremeos, 1293.70 ha. 49.1167°N -119.75°W^[16]
• Narcisse's Farm Indian Reserve No. 4, on right bank of the Similkameen River 5 miles southeast of Keremeos, 750.30 ha. 49.1333°N -119.7667°W^[17]
• Range Indian Reserve No. 13, west of Narcisse's Farm IR No. 4, on left bank of Susap Creek, 6768.10 ha. 49.1333°N -119.8333°W^[18]

See also

• Okanagan people

External links

• Lower Similikameen Indian Band

Notes and References

1. Upper Nicola Band. “Syilx Place Names.” Facebook, October 5, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1057161971367609.
2. https://fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/FNP/Main/Search/FNMain.aspx?BAND_NUMBER=598&lang=eng Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, "First Nation Profile"
3. Web site: Keremeos Review . 2014-09-14 . Lower Similkameen Indian Band's multi-purpose centre nearing completion . 2023-08-03 . www.keremeosreview.com . en-US.
4. https://fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/FNP/Main/Search/FNRegPopulation.aspx?BAND_NUMBER=598&lang=eng Indian and Northern Affairs Canada First Nation Detail, Population subpage
5. https://www.lsib.net/?page_id=7 Lower Similkameen Indian Band, About us subpage
6. Web site: Lower Similkameen British Columbia Assembly of First Nations . 2023-08-03 . www.bcafn.ca . en.
7. Web site: Lower Similkameen Indian Band . 2023-08-03 . Lower Similkameen Indian Band - Smelqmix . en-US.
8. https://fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/FNP/Main/Search/FNReserves.aspx?BAND_NUMBER=598&lang=eng Indian and Northern Affairs Canada "Reserves/Settlements/Villages"
9. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/65550.html BC Names entry "Alexis 9 (Indian reserve)
10. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/65549.html BC Names entry "Ashnola 10 (Indian reserve)
11. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/65553.html BC Names entry "Blind Creek 6 (Indian reserve)
12. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/65552.html BC Names entry "Blind Creek 6A (Indian reserve)
13. https://fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/FNP/Main/Search/FNGeography.aspx?BAND_NUMBER=598&lang=eng Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, First Nation Detail, geography subpage
14. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/65801.html BC Names entry "Chopaka 7 & 8 (Indian reserve)"
15. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/63381.html BC Names entry "Keremeos Forks 12 & 12A (Indian reserve)
16. BC Names entry "Lower Similkameen 2 (Indian Reserve)"
17. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/65558.html BC Names entry "Narcisse's Farm 4 (Indian reserve)"
18. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/65551.html BC Names entry "Range 4 (Indian reserve)"