Ktunaxa nation
Yaq̓it ʔa · knuqⱡi ‘ it & City of Fernie Reconciliation Walk , July 1st 2021
For many generations , the Ktunaxa lived on lands along the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains ; this includes the area now recognized as ȼaqahak ( Fernie ). Their stories and traditions are deeply connected to the land .
KTUNAXA CREATION STORY
The Ktunaxa people have been in this area since Naŧmuq in fulfilled his prophecy and placed the Ktunaxa people as keepers of the land . At that time there was some disturbance caused by a huge water monster known as Yawu ni , who killed many of the animals . It was decided that Yawu ni had to be destroyed . A war party was formed led by Naŧmuq in , chief of the animals . Yawu ni plied the Kootenay ( wu · u aqsŧmaknik akinmituk ) and Columbia ( Mi qaqas ) River System .
The chase went on and on until Naŧmuq in trapped Yawu ni . Yawu ni was killed and butchered and distributed among the animals . With the inners and ribs left over , his ribs were scattered and now form the Hoodoos that can be seen around the region and his organs were scattered to create the people .
In all the excitement Naŧmuq in rose to his feet and stood upright hitting his head on the ceiling of the sky . He knocked himself dead . His feet went northward and are today known as Ya · kŧiki , in the Yellowhead Pass vicinity . Naŧmuq in ’ s head is near Yellowstone Park in the State of Montana . His body forms the Rocky Mountains . When the prophecy was fulfilled , the spirit animals ascended above and are now the guiding spirits of the Ktunaxa .
The Elk Valley is located in Qukin ? Amak ? is . Visit the Fernie Heritage Library on June 21 for National Indigenous Day celebrations including Ktunaxa stories .
Learn more at these websites :
Ktunaxa . org Steugene . ca Ktunaxaready . com Facebook . com / Ktunaxa
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