The Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band (Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw) has a simple message to non-band members who are picking mushrooms on their territory.
Stay away.
It’s the time of year when band members get out to harvest edible mushrooms on their territory, but that has come with some challenges this year.
According to a release from the band, which is located northeast of Chase, outside pickers have been coming onto the Little Shuswap Lake reserve to harvest.
To make matters worse, there’s a smaller supply of edible mushrooms that have sprouted this year after the territory was ravaged by the 2023 Bush Creek East wildfire.
“We have seen instances of these pickers going onto band land on a forest service road near Scotch Creek and near Lee Creek,” said Chief James Tomma.
According to Tomma, there was one case of outside pickers setting up a camp and selling the product to a commercial vendor.
“This will not be tolerated,” he added. “Any non-band members caught harvesting the mushrooms, or setting up these camps will be dealt with in a harsher manner."
Going forward, Tomma explained, non-band members trying to harvest mushrooms on the Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band territory could even be charged with trespassing.
“Any mushrooms growing on Band land belong to the members. They have the first right to pick them as it is one of their traditional food sources,” he stressed.
“We aren’t accepting outside pickers who want to set up a camp—especially when they start fires. As the land recovers from the 2023 Bush Creek East wildfire, this is a dangerous action.”
