This past Thursday, Canada’s Supreme Court approved the development of a ski resort on spiritual Ktunaxa land in British Columbia after a decades-long dispute.
The Ktunaxa have long-opposed them as they believe the region is home to the Grizzly Bear Spirit, and developing the ski resort would drive it out of the land. Their case gained international attention and support in 2015 when the Netflix documentary “Jumbo Wild” was released, and there have been some concessions to the Ktunaxa, including additional protections for the resident grizzly bear population.
In a statement released by the Ktunaxa Nation Council, they express the importance of the land and their disappointment with the court’s ruling: “The Grizzly Bear Spirit is an important source of guidance, strength, protection and spirituality for the Ktunaxa. Qat’muk’s importance for the Grizzly Bear Spirit is inextricably interlinked with its importance for living grizzly bears now and in the future.”
The Supreme Court argued that although the charter protects the freedom of worship, this does not extend to “objects of belief”, referring to the Grizzly Bear Spirit.
For over twenty years, Glacier Resorts has negotiated with British Columbia’s government and the two First Nations who inhabit the valley they call Qat’muk over this project, in a region popularly used for “heli-skiing”.
The Shuswap First Nation, who also consider the territory to have spiritual significance, currently support the proposal after the introduction of these changes made during negotiations.
Kathryn Teneese, Chair of the Ktunaxa Nation Council, addressed the ruling: “With this decision, the Supreme Court of Canada is telling every indigenous person in Canada that your culture, history and spirituality, all deeply linked to the land, are not worthy of legal protection from the constant threat of destruction.”
“This judgment should be alarming to Canadians, whether or not they consider themselves religious or spiritual … It shows a profound failure for the court to see the Ktunaxa people at all, let alone as people whose values and beliefs deserve respect and protection under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
Glacier Resorts have said that they are committed to continuing development.
Information obtained from:
http://www.ktunaxa.org/who-we-are/qatmuk-declaration/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/indigenous-rights-ski-resort-1.4381902
Images obtained from:
https://www.keepitwild.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Qatmuk.jpg
https://blog.patagonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ogle_s_0456_2-1404×0-c-default.jpg