Harvesting Morel Mushrooms in the Secwépemc Territory
The Secwépemc welcome you to our traditional territory, which encompasses the Elephant Hill Fire. The Secwépemc people have lived and thrived on this land since time immemorial. Today, we continue our role as stewards of the land through our management of forest resources, including the harvesting of understory products such as morels.
As of May 2018 any persons or commercial entity entering Secwépemc territory to participate in the harvesting, buying or processing (drying) of morels is required to purchase a permit and agree to the Terms and Conditions therein. Permits for camping on Secwépemc territory will also be required, for use at approved sites.
- Secwépemc Communities* Affected by the Elephant Hill Fire
*As well as Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation of St’atl’imc Nation
As forest fires and resource extraction continue to damage the ecosystem in British Columbia, the Secwépemc people and their allies move to protect their traditional territory by managing the 2018 morel mushroom harvest.
The Secwépemc Territory
http://shuswapnation.org/bands/
The Secwépemc (/ʃəˈhwɛpəm/ shə-WHEP-əm;[2][3] Secwepemc: [ʃəˈxʷɛpməx] or [səˈxwɛpməx]), known in English as the Shuswap people /ˈʃuːʃwɑːp/, are an Indigenous peoples whose lands range from the eastern Chilcotin Plateau and the Cariboo Plateau southeast through the Thompson Country to Kamloops and the Shuswap Country, and spans the Selkirk Mountains and Big Bend of the Columbia River to include the northern part of the Columbia Valley region. Their ancestral language is Shuswap, known as Secwepemctsín (Salish pronunciation: [ʃəxwəpməxtˈʃin])
To learn more about the Secwépemc Communities, visit the nearest Band Office.
Harvest Permit Program Purpose & Objectives
The purpose and objectives of this permitting and monitoring initiative are:
Environmental Protection & Stewardship
Ensure the environmental protection and stewardship of the land.
Reduce negative impacts to Secwépemc soils, waterways, cultural values, culturally historic sites, wildlife habitats, ecosystems, road systems and campsites.
Safety & Education
To increase safe operating practices in use to protect the public
Educate harvesters and buyers in how to coordinate and initiate emergency response
Indigenous Land Rights
To assert Secwépemc rights, title and jurisdiction over our territory. As evidence by our northern neighbours the Tsilhqot’in, in the landmark supreme court case of 2014; all resource extraction and impacts to the land under Aboriginal title must gain approval from the Nation on who’s traditional territory operations propose to take place. This permit and the Terms and Conditions therein, will formalize a temporary land-use agreement with those applying to extract understory resources from Secwépemc Territory.
Harvester, Camping & Buyer Permit
The 2018 Secwépemc Territory Morel Harvest Permit is available for Harvesters, Campers and Buyers.
TErms & Conditions:
As the Permitee (Harvester, Camper and/or Buyer), you must read, understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions for the right to harvest, buy/sell and process morel mushrooms within the Secwépemc Territory. Read the Terms & Conditions here.
Harvester Permit includes:
- Cost: $20 - Valid until July 31,2018 ***Fees waived for Status Card holders from a Secwépemc Community
- Right to harvest morels, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions provided with the Permit.
- Safe Operations Map
- Non-organic garbage removal and portable toilets at approved sites.
- Harvester Orientation Package - click here to learn more.
CAMPING Permit includes:
- Cost: $30 - Valid until July 31,2018***Fees waived for Status Card holders from a Secwépemc Community
- Right to camp at approved sites located throughout the Secwépemc Territory, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions provided with the Permit.
- Safe Operations Map
- Non-organic garbage removal and portable toilets at approved sites.
Buyer Permit includes:
- Cost: $500 - Valid until July 31,2018 ***Fees waived for Status Card holders from a Secwépemc Community
- Right to buy morels from Harvesters at approved Buying Station, in accordance with Terms and Conditions provided with the Permit,
- Includes Harvester Permit - Right to harvest morels, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions provided with the Permit.
- Safe Operations Map
- Your Buyer Station name and location marked on public digital map.
- Non-organic garbage removal and portable toilets at approved sites.
Harvest, Camping & Buyer Permit - Signup
There are three methods to obtain a 2018 Secwépemc Territory Morel Harvest Permit:
1) In-person at a Band Office ***CASH ONLY***:
Bonaparte: 2689A Sage hill Rd, Hwy 97N, Cache Creek, BC (250) 457-9624 Mon-Thu 9:00am-12:00pm
Skeetchestn: 330 Main Dr., Skeetchestn Village (250) 393-2493 Mon-Fri 9:00am-12:00pm
Whispering Pines(Clinton): 1505 Cariboo Hwy, Clinton, BC (888) 988-3528 Mon-Fri 9:00am-12:00pm
High Bar: 7645 Cariboo Hwy 97, Clinton, BC (250) 459-2117 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
2) In-person from field patrol ***CASH ONLY***:
- The Secwépemc Territorial Patrol will be providing emergency assistance to Harvesters, Campers and Buyers in the Elephant Hill Fire Area during the 2018 season. The STP will be patrolling daily to monitoring activities and issue permits in the field. Permitees are encouraged to Buy Online or in-person at a Band Office, in order to obtain the Harvest Orientation Package.
3) Apply Online with credit card:
Participation Report
WE would Like to express our appreciation...
for your participation and collaboration in our implementation of the Secwepemc Territory Morel Harvest Program. Our collective efforts have supported the safe, sustainable and respectful morel harvest in the Elephant Hill Fire this season.
We have been receiving an overwhelmingly positive response to our program from all stakeholders; harvesters, buyers, community members, ranchers and private property owners, government and the many travelers coming into our territory to try their hand at morel harvesting. Everyone is grateful for the coordinated information and resources being made available through our collaborations.
As a token of our gratitude for your support, we will be entering everyone who has purchased a permit into a raffle to win a selection of prizes, including a Tatonka Lastenkraxe backpack, Garmin E-Trex 20 GPS unit. The raffle draw will take place on June 7th.
We would also like to thank the following buyers and companies operating in the Elephant Hill Fire for your participation and engagement in the program:
- Niall's Buying Station
- Wild West Forager's (Ben & Celia)
- King Morel
- Shelley's Buying Station
- David's Buying Station
- Rob's Buying Station
- KPG- Buying Station
- Alex's Mushroom Buying Station
- Brock's Buying Station
- Misty Mountain
We would like to reiterate that the program is not about control or regulation, but rather ensuring the responsible, safe and respectful relationships among one another and the land.
Raffle Winners
We are happy to announce the 40 Winners of the Permit-holder Raffle that took place yesterday. This raffle was organized to celebrate the success of the program and show our appreciation for all permit-holders participation and your important role in a safe, respectful and sustainable harvest season.
Non-Cooperation Bulletin
Of the many people operating in the Elephant Hill Fire, there is currently only one buyer who has not yet agreed to participate in the program and support the Secwepemc in creating a safe, respectful and sustainable morel harvest program for everyone.
We will post an update on their engagement if and when they decide to come on-board with everyone. In the mean time, we would like to remind harvesters of their important role in the program; please sell only to the buyers that are participating in making this season, safe, sustainable and respectful.
The status of buyer's participation in the program will be included in our season-end report and shared with all fire-affected Indigenous communities, stakeholders and interested parties across North America and internationally.
Thanks again for your participation and support in the Secwepemc Territory Morel Harvest Program, we ask that you continue to show your support for this collaborative initiative by not selling to the buyer and company listed below.
Please Do not sell your harvest to the companies listed below:
Heather/Sean Mushroom Shack - working for Pacific Rim Mushrooms on the North Bonaparte Road at the 3700 Rd. junction.
Permitted Buying Stations nearby
- KPG Buying Station 2 km down the 3700 Rd.)
- Alex's Mushrooms is another kilometer further 3700 Rd
Live Updates:
Live updates on fire conditions see our facebook page:
Permit Field Offices:
List of Field Offices:
- Bonaparte: 2689A Sage hill Rd, Hwy 97N, Cache Creek, BC Mon-Thu 9:00am-12:00pm
- Skeetchestn: 330 Main Dr., Skeetchestn Village Mon-Fri 9:00am-12:00pm
- Whispering Pines(Clinton): 1505 Cariboo Hwy, Clinton, BC Mon-Fri 9:00am-12:00pm
- High Bar: 7645 Cariboo Hwy 97, Clinton, BC Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
Contact Us
Please contact us with any questions or comments regarding the Secwépemc Territory Morel Mushroom Harvest Permit Program.
Phone:
1 (888) 988-3528
email:
info@elephanthillfire.com