Just three weeks shy of the one year anniversary of the Bush Creek East wildfire, the Skwl膩x te Secwepemc煤l虛ecw (SteS) band has reached an agreement with the province on long-term recovery of the land damaged. 

On July 26, after eight months of talks between the band and various government agencies, Kukpi7 (Chief) James Tomma and representatives from the Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resources signed a letter of commitment. 

"When we first brought this forward to the province, they were reluctant to talk about it," Tomma said in a media release. "The timing of them wanting to discuss this is unprecedented. They are showing that they are serious in working with First Nations government on these types of issues and on the environment as a whole.

"Working now as a team will be a bonus as we look to make sure the land and environment are a priority."

Earlier this year, the band approached the province with concerns over what it saw to be a lack of an inter-governmental coordinated response to fire recovery within Skwl膩x territory. One particular problem that was an ongoing issue this spring was the abundance of valuable morel mushrooms that can sell for up to $50 a pound, which brought hundreds of pickers from outside the area. As caretakers of the land, the band believes members should have first rights to harvest the fungi for traditional medicines and uses.

As a result of the unregulated land use, pickers set up bush camps, opened old trails and roads, illegally cut trees, left garbage behind and killed some animals. Some threatened SteS Guardians who were assigned to protect the already fragile land. 

To prevent unauthorized pickers, Skwl膩x set up a gate along the Scotch Creek Forest Service Road in early June, though it was never closed as the band and government discussed options for dealing with situation.

Still of concern, however, is future mushroom seasons, more open access to land, increased pressure on hunting and harvesting culturally important plants, but those issues will soon be addressed through this agreement.

"Now the real work starts," Tomma said. We will sit down very soon with the provincial representatives and develop a comprehensive action plan that more effectively addresses the priorities of fire recovery and land stewardship. In November of this year this plan will be submitted to the new B.C. government for ratification."