Funded Projects

Yekooche Economic Development Corporation, Keyoh Ik’utsusla (KIU), is leading a watershed and climate risk assessment for the Nancut Creek watershed (275 km²) within Yekooche First Nation’s traditional territory. The project aims to support the Nation in addressing climate change, landscape disturbances (e.g., wildfire, logging), and other human impacts threatening fish habitat, water sources, and culturally significant areas. The assessment will follow provincial guidance (Engineers and Geoscientists BC and ABCFP, 2020) and be guided by both community knowledge and technical expertise. It will focus on (1) identifying key watershed values through community participation, (2) assessing risks to those values using scientific and traditional knowledge, and (3) outlining priority follow-up actions such as restoration, monitoring, and mitigation strategies. The outcome will lay the groundwork for future initiatives and support the Nation’s long-term commitment to watershed health and resilience.

The project is absolutely imperative for First Nations such as Yekooche to maintain and improve ecosystems damaged by wildfires, climate change, and industrialization. This marks an opportunity for Yekooche to utilize members’ knowledge of key watershed values, complete a technical assessment of the watershed, identify risks, and create future offset projects well in advance of any new industrial projects or human impacts.—Steve Nycholat, CEO/Director of Economic Development