Lower Similkameen Indian Band

The Lower Similkameen Indian Band or Lower Smelqmix (Okanagan: N̓iʔxʷín̓aʔ),^[1] is a First Nations band government in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Their office was in the village of Keremeos in the Similkameen region,^[2] until 2015 when they moved into their own $7million multi-purpose facility south of Cawston.^[3] They are a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance.

Population

The band's registered population is 500 with 209 band members living off-reserve^[4]^[5] with a total area of 15,048.80 ha.^[6]

The people are known as the Smelqmix (also written as Smalqmix or Sməlqmix), speaking the endangered Nsyilxcen language.^[7]

Indian reserves

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Indian reserves under the band's administration are spread out over 90km. They are:^[8]

Alexis Indian Reserve No. 9, on the left bank of the Similkameen River 4 miles west of Keremeos, 168.70 ha. 49°13′00″N 119°54′00″W / 49.21667°N 119.90000°W / 49.21667; -119.90000^[9]
Ashnola Indian Reserve No. 10, on the right bank of the Similkameen River at its junction with the Ashnola River, 3415 ha. 49°13′00″N 120°00′00″W / 49.21667°N 120.00000°W / 49.21667; -120.00000^[10]
Blind Creek Indian Reserve No. 6, on Blind Creek, 4 miles southeast of Keremeos, 161 ha. 49°11′00″N 119°44′00″W / 49.18333°N 119.73333°W / 49.18333; -119.73333^[11]
Blind Creek Indian Reserve No. 6A, west of Barcelo Road, 1 mile west of IR No. 6, 0.10 ha. 49°11′00″N 119°45′00″W / 49.18333°N 119.75000°W / 49.18333; -119.75000^[12]
Chopaka Indian Reserve Nos. 7 & 8 (Okanagan: C̓up̓áq̓), on the right bank of the Similkameen River, north of and adjoining the international boundary, 1537.80 ha. These two reserves are the most populated of the band's reserves.^[13] 49°02′35″N 119°43′05″W / 49.04306°N 119.71806°W / 49.04306; -119.71806^[14]
Keremeos Forks Indian Reserve Nos. 12 & 12A, on Keremeos Creek at mouth of Marset Creek, 7 miles north of Keremeos, 954.10 ha. 49°18′00″N 119°49′00″W / 49.30000°N 119.81667°W / 49.30000; -119.81667^[15]
Lower Similkameen Indian Reserve No. 2, on the Similkameen River 6 miles southeast of Keremeos, 1293.70 ha. 49°07′00″N 119°45′00″W / 49.11667°N 119.75000°W / 49.11667; -119.75000^[16]
Narcisse's Farm Indian Reserve No. 4, on right bank of the Similkameen River 5 miles southeast of Keremeos, 750.30 ha. 49°08′00″N 119°46′00″W / 49.13333°N 119.76667°W / 49.13333; -119.76667^[17]
Range Indian Reserve No. 13, west of Narcisse's Farm IR No. 4, on left bank of Susap Creek, 6768.10 ha. 49°08′00″N 119°50′00″W / 49.13333°N 119.83333°W / 49.13333; -119.83333^[18]

References

^ Upper Nicola Band. “Syilx Place Names.” Facebook, October 5, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1057161971367609.
^ Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, "First Nation Profile"
^ Keremeos Review (2014-09-14). "Lower Similkameen Indian Band's multi-purpose centre nearing completion". www.keremeosreview.com. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
^ Indian and Northern Affairs Canada First Nation Detail, Population subpage
^ Lower Similkameen Indian Band, About us subpage Retrieved 2021-03-30
^ "Lower Similkameen | British Columbia Assembly of First Nations". www.bcafn.ca. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
^ "Lower Similkameen Indian Band". Lower Similkameen Indian Band - Smelqmix. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
^ Indian and Northern Affairs Canada "Reserves/Settlements/Villages"
^ BC Names entry "Alexis 9 (Indian reserve)
^ BC Names entry "Ashnola 10 (Indian reserve)
^ BC Names entry "Blind Creek 6 (Indian reserve)
^ BC Names entry "Blind Creek 6A (Indian reserve)
^ Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, First Nation Detail, geography subpage
^ BC Names entry "Chopaka 7 & 8 (Indian reserve)"
^ BC Names entry "Keremeos Forks 12 & 12A (Indian reserve)
^ [BC Names entry "Lower Similkameen 2 (Indian Reserve)"]
^ BC Names entry "Narcisse's Farm 4 (Indian reserve)"
^ BC Names entry "Range 4 (Indian reserve)"