2012- Visitors to the Spences Bridge area in the Nicola Valley come to enjoy many things, from the First Nations history spanning thousands of years, to world-class steelhead fishing, river rafting and hiking. With the completion of the Interior Allied Tribes Memorial Project by the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band in 2010, the community has gained a focal point that both honours the area’s culture and presents new opportunities for tourism.
The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band, a member community of the Nlaka’pamux Nation, constructed the Memorial to honour the work of the Interior Allied Tribes of BC between 1908 and 1922. The project also fits with the Band’s long-term goal of developing the area’s tourism industry.  Located at Nkemcin, on the Kumsheen Indian Reserve where the Nicola and Thompson Rivers merge, the memorial is an open-air structure with elements of a pit house and serves as an interpretative and cultural centre. Construction incorporated traditional design features as well as professional lighting and audio systems, and infra-red heating – an ideal setting for events ranging from theatre presentations to meetings and workshops.
Funding for the project was provided by Cook’s Ferry Indian Band itself and a number of public and private sector resources. Northern Development provided funding through the Pine Beetle Recovery Account, a reflection of tourism diversification and the pine beetle affected wood used in the memorial’s roof.
Concurrent with this project, the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band was working on a five-year tourism development plan to determine how the community to benefit from the economic opportunities associated with increased tourism to the area. Already travellers are stopping to look at the impressive structure while others plan their stop around specific events.
