Tsecmenúl̓ecwem-kt
“We Repair the Land”
A long-term, collaborative effort to restore and care for the Deadman River watershed
The Tsecmenúl̓ecwem-kt Initiative was launched in 2023 by Skeetchestn Indian Band (SIB) and Skeetchestn Natural Resources (SNR), following the impacts of the 2021 Sparks Lake wildfire. While the wildfire was a significant catalyst, the Initiative responds more broadly to decades of cumulative impacts that have altered watershed processes, affected water quality and flows, and degraded fish and wildlife habitat.
The Skeetchestn people have been stewards of the Deadman River watershed and surrounding territory since time immemorial, and the tmicw, the land and all that it supports, is central to our way of life, identity, and wellbeing. This Initiative reflects both an ongoing responsibility and a renewed commitment to care for the land in the face of changing conditions. Implementation is led by SNR, which coordinates planning, partnerships, and on-the-ground delivery of monitoring, research, and restoration activities.
A Network of Partners
The Initiative is inherently collaborative and multidisciplinary. It brings together a growing network of partners, including academic institutions, technical specialists, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry.
Together, this team contributes expertise in hydrology, water quality, fisheries, geomorphology, vegetation, wildlife, and GIS, among other fields.
Current Work
Through this collaboration, the Initiative is generating a robust and expanding body of data to support informed decision-making and long-term stewardship, while also implementing restoration projects and learning from them over time
Watershed-Scale Monitoring & Research
Monitoring and research on water quality, hydrology, climate, and other ecological indicators
Fish & Aquatic Habitat Studies
Population assessments, habitat use and condition studies, and restoration effectiveness monitoring
Geomorphic & Sediment Studies
Identifying sediment sources and tracking landscape instability
Vegetation & Wildlife Monitoring
Tracking ecosystem recovery, wildlife populations, and biodiversity indicators
Ecological Restoration
Planning, designing, and implementing fish and wildlife habitat restoration projects
Knowledge Sharing & Capacity Building
Creating opportunities for collaboration, research partnerships, and community engagement
Adaptive Management Approach
This integrated approach supports a cycle of monitoring, mitigation, and adaptive management, ensuring that actions are continuously refined based on emerging data and knowledge.
At the Heart of Our Work
Beyond technical work, the Initiative prioritizes knowledge sharing, capacity building, and community engagement, creating opportunities for collaboration, research partnerships, and meaningful involvement from community members, youth, and knowledge holders.
At its core, the Tsecmenúl̓ecwem-kt Initiative is about upholding responsibility to the land, to the water, and to future generations. It reflects Skeetchestn’s ongoing role as stewards of the tmicw, and a commitment to restoring balance and supporting the long-term health and resilience of the Deadman River watershed.