The Akisqnuk First Nation, which is part of the Ktunaxa Nation, has recently opposed a couple of projects regarding Lake Windermere.
The first was dredging a portion of the lake to create a boat marina at Thetheway Beach. Thetheway is a vacation home area in Windermere. The new boat docks would be for the exclusive use of Thetheway residents, most of whom are from Alberta.
The second is the refurbishment of a boat launch at Athalmer, located on District of Invermere property. At one time, the District considered buying a crane to expedite putting boats in the lake. That’s probably still coming.
The general consensus among many residents is that there are already too many jet, motor, and wake boats on Lake Windermere.
The Akisqnuk First Nation’s stance is that there is a state of lawlessness on and around Lake Windermere. Docks and boat launches are being built off the ever-growing number of lakeshore second homes. Buoys are being placed along the shores to moor motorboats. There is also the claiming of shoreline ownership by many second-home owners, even though land up to twelve feet above the high-water mark is designated as public. In addition, there has been the takeover of public rights-of-way to the lake by homeowners.
These homes along the shores of Lake Windermere are worth millions and are mostly owned by people from out of province who feel entitled to do as they please.
The District of Invermere is very much in favour of this takeover by vacationers of Lake Windermere, as they reason it brings money into the valley. Since the District’s mayor and councillors are made up of people who own businesses, I can understand why they would want to support the agenda of second homeowners as it puts money in the pockets of businesspeople, and they are, above all, who they represent.
Also on the agenda is the potential removal of the rock groyne at the mouth of the Columbia River at the north end of Lake Windermere. Every year, at least a few expensive motorboats are damaged when they run into it, even though it is clearly marked.
The groyne has been there since the 1800s, and it is unclear what its purpose was. It could have been to deepen the channel to make boat passage easier, or it may have been used for fishing when salmon spawned in the area. It may also have been built to prevent Toby Creek from changing the channel.
Regardless, boaters and the District want it gone.
I am glad the Akisqnuk First Nation has stepped in. Someone has to try to protect the lake from this kind of unchecked development.
Palliser Pass 
Anonymous
I agree, and stand firmly with the Akisqnuk First Nation. They are operating with the knowledge that we must protect our lake for the health of our valley. After all, once it is damaged by overuse, pollution, and neglect, we will be left with nothing as the tourists and part-time residents seek elsewhere what they once enjoyed here. We must act with clarity and vision to protect our lake for future generations.
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underswansea
It will be interesting to see if the town District of Invermere will give a shit what Akisqnuk says. They may even get the Shuswap Band to get on board and cash in on the animosity between the two bands. Pretty easy to get your way while the two bands fight it out and they will. Thanks for the comment.
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Carol A. Hand
Such a crucial issue and an important opportunity for the full-time residents in the community to join with Akisqnuk First Nation to protect the land and waters. I wonder it it’s possible to find some of the most powerful new owners to join the efforts to protect the environment and put pressure on the local officials to do so, too? The Akisqnuk First Nation has done some amazing work designing educational artwork, storytelling, and historical displays…
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underswansea
Thanks for your comment Carol. Your points are good ones. If there are powerful (wealthy)new second home owners that give a spit about the lake, I am yet to meet them. Most want there shoreline, marina, big house and boat. That’s why they are here. It’s easy for them to get as they please. I hate to say it but Akisqnuk will have a difficult time changing opinion. The District, as they have done in the past will, pit the Shuswap Band against the Akisqnuk. The Shuswap will take the side of the District and the two bands will conveniently fight among themselves. While the District declares they cancel each other out and continue to push the agenda of the second home owners. Fairly easy work for the district. Now, you are probably thinking why can’t the two nations get along and that is because they are both fighting over title to the land, which in the end is huge money. Indigenous communities have their share of crooked greedy politicians in power. In my experience the colour of skin has never been a guarantee of virtue. Throw money in the mix and it makes people do strange things. I realize this is not a positive response, but it seems to be the way things have gone in the past.
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Carol A. Hand
A truly sad situation, Bob. I wish I could help and really don’t know if anything I say will be useful. I’m grateful for the chance I had working for an inter-tribal agency. The 11 tribes in the state (and one in another state) stood together on many issues and were often successful. “It’s easy to break a single stick, but it’s hard to break them when they stick together.”
It’s so easy to to “divide and conquer,” but it’s rewarding when tribes remember they are among the few protectors of the earth, the waters necessary for all life, and the future well-being of their communities. Ethnocidal and genocidal policies have left a troubling legacy in the lifeways, knowledge, and spiritual foundations that helped tribes survive in challenging environments. Tragically, many tribal people haven’t had the chance to learn their own history. They don’t know the cost of what was lost. It makes it easy to exploit competition among those in the margins within and between Indigenous communities as well as with those in off-reserve urban areas. Yet, it’s worth it to try to find ways to help people see they’re being used and to find allies who can deal with the powerful adversaries more effectively.
Speaking of allies reminded me of a (non-Indian) state legislator who took up the issue of public schools that used Indian mascots and logos. He introduced legislation to end this demeaning practice of stereotyping each session for many years. I asked him why. He responded that he had a chance every time to raise awareness and it finally passed after 20 years.
I guess the best advice is to keep trying everything constructive and creative you can think of to protect what matters. It takes many voices and skills, and sometimes, many years. It’s worth it to keep trying to raise awareness though (as you always do in you blog).
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underswansea
Hi Carol, it is difficult to watch. Thank you for your comments. It is playing out just about the way I figured. The second home owners and people with motor boats have started a boating society group to ‘protect their rights’. One of the things they say is the Akisqnuk First Nation has so few members they should not have a say in the way the lake is managed. You can imagine who the Mayor and Council are listening to. At least the Akisqnuk are making a point. I don’t think things will change until there is a catastrophe and then those very same small town politicians, if they are still around, will say, ‘we wanted to do something all along, but our hands were tied’. I have seen this story before.
Thanks again for your level headed comments.
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mountaincoward
Well I’m with them on all that. It’s pretty much like that here (although nothing like as bad) where moneyed folk can and do do what they like! But while they’re saying it ‘brings money into your area’, it also removes amenity from the locals!
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underswansea
It sure does remove amenity from the locals! Unfortunately that is the last thing small town politicians think about while making policy.
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mountaincoward
it’s exactly the same here (although possibly not on such a major scale as where you are). It really annoys me
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