Splatsin and Tolko Sign a Renewed Relationship Agreement

On Thursday, Splatsin te Secwépemculucw (Splatsin) and Tolko Industries Ltd. (Tolko) announced the signing of a renewed relationship agreement—titled the “Mlkwátaka” (place where we come together)—which serves to support and advance this long-standing partnership built upon mutual trust and respect.

The Splatsin are the southernmost community of the Secwépemc Nation, the largest interior Salish speaking Indigenous Group in Canada. Forests are foundational to Splatsin culture, heritage, and future—they are the key to a sustainable environment and contribute to a strong economy. Splatsin’s area of caretaker responsibility extends east into the Columbia Basin, north to the Mica Creek area, south to Kettle Falls, Washinton, US, and as far west as Monte Lake, BC.

The essence of the Mlkwátaka Agreement, evident in its name, lies in its mission to unite Splatsin and Tolko together on their continued journey of learning and growth, according to the announcement. Splatsin and Tolko share a vision to advance innovative forest management practices while respecting and implementing Splatsin’s traditional laws, values, and principles.

Splatsin and Tolko have been collaborating on land management, forest management, and business opportunities since 2008, and the initial version of this relationship agreement was first established in 2012.

At its core, the Mlkwátaka Agreement stems from the acknowledgement that the Splatsinaca (People of Splatsin) have an inherent right to steward the land by embracing the cultural perspectives of land management and working collaboratively to balance economic interests with Splatsin’s land stewardship objectives.

In emarks accompanying the announcement, Tolko Vice-President of Indigenous & Government Relations and Sustainability Janis Simpkins said:

“We all have a role to play in creating the conditions for success and the Mlkwátaka Agreement is a great example of how Tolko and the communities we partner with are driving change and doing things differently. Indigenous communities have a deep connection to—and knowledge of—the places they have called home and the territories they have stewarded since time immemorial. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from partnerships like this; we all benefit from healthy forests and thriving forest ecosystems.”

Kukpi7 Michael Christian added:

“Splatsinaca (Splatsin People) have been caretakers of the land and all our relations since time immemorial. Our relationship with Tolko has been ongoing since the early 2000’s and we look forward to continuing to work together on co-managing the tmicw (land) in accordance with Splatsin te Secwépemculucw values and laws. Our relationship and how we work together is a model for co-management that we plan to implement throughout Splatsin area of caretaker responsibility. Kukwstsamc to the Splatsin community members who have supported this work, to our technical staff and to the previous Kukpi7 and Tkwamipla7s who have been instrumental in ensuring this work moves forward in a good way. Kukwstsamc to Tolko and all their staff who have participated in this work and who have been willing to partner with our community.”