The Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it is located in Grasmere, BC near the Roosville Border Crossing. We are part of the Ktunaxa Nation. The purpose of the Tobacco Plains First Nation Administration is to establish, maintain, conduct and promote among our Chief and Council and our membership, support and guidance in establishing goals towards health and wellness, employment and training, and cultural heritage.
The Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it is one of several Ktunaxa Nation communities in Canada and comprises 10,600 acres in Southeastern British Columbia. The Southern boundary adjoins the USA border in Montana. Highway 93 crosses the Reserve at two locations and the Reserve surrounds the Canada Customs facility.
The members of Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation (in English, “Tobacco Plains Indian Band”) are the descendants of the distinct group of indigenous people who have occupied, controlled, and been the exclusive stewards over their unceded ancestral lands that surround ʔakink̓umǂasnuqǂiʔit (“Tobacco Plains”) since time immemorial. Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it people are members of the Ktunaxa (Kootenay) speaking peoples of British Columbia, Idaho and Montana.
Today, the Tobacco Plains Indian Reserve comprises 10,600 acres surrounding Grasmere, in Southeastern British Columbia. Highway 93 crosses the Reserve at two locations and the Reserve surrounds the Canada Customs facility.
The purpose of the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation administration is to protect and further the aboriginal rights of Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘itmembership and provide opportunities in economic development, health and wellness, employment and training, and cultural heritage, for all Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it people.