By Breanne Massey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Due to the continued growth at the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), the decision to acquire two new properties in the traditional Ktunaxa territory between Cranbrook and Castlegar has been made.
On March 3, the KNC announced the decision to continuously improve and develop the presence of the Ktunaxa in the East Kootenay region traditionally known as –a·kisk ´aq‰i–it.
“It was important to the Ktunaxa Nation to re-establish our presence in the West Kootenays,” said Shawna Janiver, KNC chief administrative officer in a recent press release. “Our purchase of the building at 1444 Columbia Ave in Kiksi?uk, or Castlegar, is but just one step in this process.”
“When the Ktunaxa Nation Council purchased the Tembec Building in Cranbrook in 2012, we believed we would never run out of office space,” Janvier added in the press release. “With the substantial growth the KNC has undergone in the last few years however, it was clear that more office and meeting spaces would be needed and the decision was made to purchase the building at 32 9th Avenue South in Cranbrook. We look forward to having a larger presence in the Cranbrook downtown core.”
The KNC expects to use the newly acquired properties to host subsidiary businesses from the band, as well as to bring the presence of Ktunaxa Enterprises Limited to Castlegar in the near future.
