The Lower Kootenay First Nation, locally called Yaqan Nukiy, is located in south eastern British Colombia in the spectacular Creston Valley along the banks of the Kootenay River. It clarifies on the official webpage that “the name Yaqan Nukiy literally means ‘where the rock stands’ and refers to an important place in Creston Valley” (Our History, Par.1). It has approximately 6,000 acres of community land for various uses that “4000 acres being prime agricultural land suitable for diverse crops and 1100 acres of wetland supporting a variety of wildlife” (“Building an Economy”, 7). The region is rich in agriculture, forestry and tourism resources.
The Lower Kootenay First Nation’s main community is situated near south
