Cooks Ferry Indian Band

Lands and Consultation Department Support

The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band is a Nlaka’pamux Nation government with Traditional Territory and waters within the southern interior of British Columbia and northern Washington State. The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band is one of 15 Bands of the Nlaka’pamux Nation. Cook’s Ferry’s Traditional Territory has seen significant levels of development and resource extraction take place and has the goal of developing a self-sustaining Lands and Resource Office that protects their rights and ensures their interests are meaningfully considered in the regulatory process.

Since 2020, SVS has had an integral role in operating the Lands and Resources Office for Cook’s Ferry.  SVS reviews and prepares responses to industry engagement and government consultation requests, supports the development of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, leads negotiations with industry proponents for economic benefits to the Band, represents Cook’s Ferry at industry and government meetings related to policy, procedure, or regulatory changes, and prepares funding proposals focused on growing Cook’s Ferry’s capacity and repository of information to support the effective management of lands and waters within their Traditional Territory. Throughout this time, SVS has worked closely with Cook’s Ferry leadership, legal counsel, and other advisors to engage with community members to better understand priorities and incorporate them into the growth and strategic objectives of the Lands and Resources Office.