I live in Kamloops, British Columbia, in the neighborhood of Brocklehurst. Kamloops is the Anglicized version of the word “Tk’emlúps” from the native language of Secwépemc First Nation. The meaning is the “meeting of two rivers”, which are the North and South Thompson Rivers that feed Kamloops Lake to the west of the City. Kamloops is semi-arid desert and has very distinctive native plants and animals.

From the City of Kamloops website (1) I learned the area was originally inhabited by the Secwépemc and Nlaka’pamux peoples and they have lived here for approximately 10,000 years . From the Tk’emlúps website (2) I learned that the traditional Secwépemc people lived as self-governing nation that was grouped into bands. The Secwépemc people occupied a territory covering approximately 145,000 sq. kilometers. Currently 17 out of 32 originals bands still remain. The indigenous peoples of this land depended on the natural resources in the area (salmon, deer, beaver, small animals, native plants and medicines). They lived a nomadic lifestyle during spring, summer and fall as foods became available in different areas, and in winter they mostly stayed in their villages. The pre-contact Tk’emlúps economy had three sectors: fishing, gathering (roots and berries) and hunting.

In 1812 two European fur trading posts were established. David Stuart of the Pacific Fur Trading Company created the first post, this trading post was named “Fort She-whaps”(3) . This post was the first non-Indigenous settlement in Southern BC. The same year the North West Company (NWC) arrived and created a post called Fort Thompson. Ultimately the Hudson’s Bay Company took over the fur trading in the area when it merged with NWC in 18213. These trading posts utilized the skills of the Indigenous to harvest animal populations, especially beaver(2). The effects of trapping these animals were noticeable by 1826. In 1811 after the first European contact the colonial government divided the Secwépemc people into distinct groups with specific parcels of land designated to each2.

During the 1850’s gold seekers arrived in Kamloops after fur traders reported small quantities of gold in the 1830’s. Shortly after ranching and farming began as the gold seekers had minimal luck. In 1862 a small pox epidemic swept through the Kamloops area, nearly decimating the Secwépemc, Nlaka’pamux and other indigenous communities. It was reported that about two-thirds of the indigenous population died during this epidemic, the result of this lead to the colonists taking

over traditional lands and claiming it as their own[1]. The Hudson Bay Company was most likely responsible for the first colonial cultivation and agricultural activity in the area1. They were growing timothy grass for forage for the horses that were used in the fur trade. During the 1850s and 60’s some of the first farms and orchards are established in the area, farmers in the area were experimenting with growing cabbage, corn, cauliflower, pumpkins, potatoes and rhubarb. Throughout European settlement and the influx of farming, invasive species were introduced to the area, weather deliberately or not, the species had impacts to local biodiversity. Through 1878 Kamloops saw its first Milling company begin production, the Shuswap Milling Company was a saw and grist mill, producing lumber and flour1.

The construction of the CP Railway through Kamloops happened in 18854, which brought further growth and transportation resources. The city of Kamloops was incorporated in 1893 with a population of 500. In the early 1900’s Kamloops is known as an “Agricultural Eden” known for sheep ranching and wool production1. In 1913 Blackwell dairy farm is established in Barnhartvale, which is still in production today. The 1930’s also see an influx in settlers, which are mostly employed by BC Fruitland, working on orchards and eventually forming the community of Brocklehurst. In the 1950’s a harsh winter killed a large portion of fruit trees in Brocklehurst adding pressure on orchardists to subdivide their land for housing purposes1. Other industries such as mining, forestry and manufacturing ramp up through the 20^thcentury and the Kamloops population continue to grow. The late 1980’s brought the construction of the Coquihalla highway to Kamloops, creating even easier transportation across the province. Also through the 1980’s community gardens around town are established, and currently today there are 18 Community gardens. In 1986 ginseng farming is introduced to Kamloops and surrounding areas, and at one point in time the company Chai-Na-Ta is the worlds largest grower andexporter of North American ginseng.

The City of Kamloops develops its first “KAMPLAN” in 1974, which is essentially to guide decisions about development of the city into the future. As Kamloops grew and industries bloomed development continued, sprawling cross landscapes likenever before. The following KAMPLANS address issues and seek to create and foster development in a sustainable fashion. Urban Development and sprawl in Kamloops has increased in my own lifetime. The newer communities of Aberdeen and Pineview are to be soon joined by road as well as Juniper growing towards the west to be connected to Rosehill. The area of town in which I live, Brocklehurst, which was once all orchards is continuing to become more densely populated by further re-zoning of larger properties to add additional housing. While the Kamloops population continues to grow and is currently sitting around 100,000 people the local government continues to maintain and encourage sustainable practices. More recently in Aug of 2023 a City wide household compost program was implemented providing all households with weekly residential compost pick-up. The city of Kamloops also has two yard waste sites that accept materials and turn the organic ‘waste’ to compost soil.

The local environmental history of Kamloops through pre-contact, settlement to present has clearly had an impact on the regions environment. As Kamloops continues to grow, I hope the sustainable practices and environmental initiatives lead Kamloops in the right direction with fostering a positive relationship between the people and the land we are so lucky to live on.