Nupqu, associated with Ktunaxa Enterprises Ltd, is proudly 100% First Nation owned. We provide professional land and resource management services within the ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa (Ktunaxa land) and beyond.
“Nupqu” is the Ktunaxa word for black bear and represents the powerful and resourceful nature of our organization.
With a proven track record in natural resource management consulting and contracting, we offer a wide range of value-added services to industry and government partners. Our commitment is to deliver expert solutions that align with the unique needs of the ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa (Ktunaxa land) and the broader community.
Leveraging the strengths of a professionally-trained workforce, robust safety and stewardship principles, Nupqu is a leader and steadfast partner in the provision of value-added professional and technical resource services.
Nupqu is proudly owned by the four Ktunaxa Nation communities: Yaq̓it ʔa-knuqⱡ’it, ʔaq’am, yaqan nukiy, and ʔakisq’nuk. Represented by the bear paw in our logo, each claw symbolizes one of our shareholder communities, reflecting our collective strength and shared purpose.
By empowering Ktunaxa members with meaningful career opportunities, technical training, and leadership development, Nupqu fosters healthy communities and a thriving local economy. Our inclusive approach ensures that our team represents and serves the diverse needs of the Ktunaxa Nation, building relationships and creating lasting impacts across the land.
Within the Ktunaxa Holdings Limited Partnership group of businesses, Nupqu provides professional land and resource management services within the ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa (Ktunaxa land) and beyond. Specifically, we support clients within a variety of industries with the following services:
Nupqu holds the Community Forest Agreement Tenure (CFA – K1W) on behalf of the Ktunaxa Nation, located on the Federal Dominion Coal Block property. This Community Forest is co-managed through a unique collaboration between Nupqu (and by extension, the Ktunaxa Nation), BC MFLNRO, and Natural Resources Canada.
Our forestry expertise extends beyond tenure management, including consulting services for First Nation woodlots, non-renewable forest licenses, and other forestry-related projects. We aim to foster sustainable forestry practices that balance economic opportunities with the preservation of cultural and natural resources.
Environment and sustainability are at the heart of Nupqu values and services. Protection of the environment is central to Nupqu and the Ktunaxa Nation. All staff ensure that their actions promote environmental stewardship and comply with applicable legislation and standards. Nupqu management is committed to applying Ktunaxa values in all activities and applies ʔaknumu¢tiŧiŧ, Ktunaxa laws on how to live with the land.
Nupqu offers water management services designed to ensure sustainable and efficient use of water resources. Whether addressing watershed health, flood mitigation, or water quality monitoring, our team applies local ecological knowledge alongside technical expertise to provide innovative and site-specific solutions.
At Nupqu, health and safety are paramount. As a SAFE Company certified by the BC Forest Safety Council, we meet and exceed regulatory standards while fostering a culture of safety within our organization. Our membership with Avetta and ISN further supports our commitment to contractor safety management, ensuring our operations prioritize the well-being of our staff and clients.
As a large employer, we integrate health and safety into every aspect of our work, engaging employees in proactive planning and rigorous safety practices. This approach not only safeguards our team but strengthens our reputation as a reliable and responsible partner.
Nupqu provides professional archaeology and cultural resource management services. Our team works collaboratively with clients to identify, document, and preserve cultural sites, while ensuring projects meet or exceed client expectations. Through this work, we support the preservation of history while enabling responsible development.
Nupqu operates a specialized Native Plant Nursery that focuses on the propagation of site-specific native species. By sourcing seeds through careful hand collection, we ensure that our plants are ecologically suited to their intended environments. This nursery supports reclamation and biodiversity initiatives, helping clients meet their environmental objectives while enhancing local ecosystems.
The strength of the Nupqu management team stems from the diverse experiences and expertise of its members, clear functions and responsibilities and the ability to coordinate and collaborate with our partners and clients.
The primary advantage of working with Nupqu is our extensive expertise as a competitive, highly trained, and professional resource management consulting and contracting business. Additional benefits include:
Nupqu Resource Limited Partnership is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, compliance with governmental agencies, pertinent regulatory requirements, and our client’s practices and procedures. As a SAFE and COR certified business by the BC Forest Safety Council, Nupqu offers clients and stakeholders peace of mind, knowing that our worker health and safety program is rigorously maintained and externally reviewed.
Nupqu, a part of Ktunaxa Enterprises Ltd., specializes in land and resource management, providing opportunities for industry and government to engage with Ktunaxa businesses in the ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa (Ktunaxa land). Our main office is located near the ʔaq̓am community, north of Cranbrook, BC, with additional offices in Fernie, Castlegar, and Cranbrook to support regional operations.
With a team of certified natural resource professionals, Nupqu has earned a strong reputation for delivering quality services in the resource industries. Our diverse workforce offers a range of expertise and provides career development opportunities for Indigenous people in the region.
Originally known as the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Development Corporation (1997–2009), Nupqu was incorporated in 2009 as part of the Ktunaxa Holdings Limited Partnership, owned by the four Ktunaxa Nation communities and the Ktunaxa Nation Council Society. In 2020, the company’s name was changed to Nupqu Resource Limited Partnership to reflect our focus on resource consulting and contracting.
We uphold Ktunaxa values of land, life, tradition and health. We are dedicated to environmental vigilance and stewardship practices to preserve land and life for future generations. We adhere to and uphold the Ktunaxa Nation Stewardship Principles in all the work we do.
Inspiring each other to grow and work as a team to achieve our goals efficiently and effectively. We act as role models, endorsing the practice of operating in an ethical, social and environmentally-responsible manner.
KEL and all associated businesses take a “Nation as a whole approach.” We work under the direction provided by shareholders and in collaboration with partners and community development corporations.
KEL and all associated businesses find strength through its resiliency, resourcefulness and by drawing on relationships within the collective. We also garner strength from our relationships with industry and like-minded organizations.
We honour Ktunaxa values, communities and citizens. We treat each other and the land with dignity and respect. We encourage and appreciate each others’ input even if there is a difference in perspective and opinion. We are respectful of ourselves, our team, shareholders, partners and clients.
Safety is of the utmost importance in all work completed by KEL and all associated businesses. Everyone has the right and responsibility to perform work safely. By looking out for our teammates and the land wherein we work, we provide a sense of security, knowing no one will be left behind and stewardship values are in place for generations to come.
We have created an inclusive corporate culture from a foundation of Ktunaxa cultural values, with open lines of communication and a safe working environment. Lead by strong morals, we believe in doing the right thing, being accountable and having pride in our work. We are accountable to shareholders and we uphold Ktunaxa interests while executing our mandate in a transparent and professional manner.
We’re here to help with any questions or project inquiries. Reach out to us today, and let’s explore how we can work together.
