"We are not makers of history. We are made by history," 

It has been more than 20 years since I visited Kootenay Plains for the first time and at that time, I met at Smallboy’s Camp and the Bighorn Reservation members of the; Smallboy’s, Dixon’s and Wesley’s families.

Slowly started to learn about the history of Kootenay Plains from them, their culture and spiritual beliefs. In all these years, I learned that establishing respect and trust with them takes patience and time and the engagement must respect and adhere to the protocols which vary between these families. Our trust and distrust were not built overnight and required visible, tangible actions on my side. The relationship we have today continues moving at a pace that is comfortable for them and me and continues to be a learning process.

The First Nations have lived, hunt and cared for Kootenay Plains long before the first Europeans started travelling to this region and when in these early years, I started reading the books and listening to the families’ stories, I begin to generate my genuine interest in getting to know the history of Kootenay Plains and researching it became my passion. In my research I found that the First Nation and some of the Métis connection to this land is well documented, but the offered history of this land is often widely misled and continues to carry the colonial narratives, and these can be actively challenged today through various ongoing processes, including decolonization efforts and truth-telling initiatives.

Today, a small portion of Kootenay Plains is contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and proposed industrial (coal mining) and tourism developments will lead to conflicts over land use. It is our shared responsibility to care for the history and legacy of this sacred land, and we must stand up to protect this land.

Save The Kootenay Plains is not a formal organization, but rather an expression of the commitment to reconciliation and respect for the region's cultural heritage. If you feel you want to join me and help me in this campaign, please contact me.

Jerzy Maslanka

Misty Valley, Clearwater County, Alberta