The traditional territory, S’ólh Téméxw, means “our world, our land.” The term S’ólh Téméxw represents a Stó:lō-based set of relationships with the land. Although Stó:lō traditional territory extends into the United States, the geographic area represented in our maps is delimited by the International Boundary. The maps in this section show the full extent of Stó:lō traditional territory in British Columbia.
The S’ólh Téméxw Use Plan (STUP) aims to bring visibility and recognition to this set of relationships by using a single picture to identify areas on the landscape that are of cultural significance to Stó:lō and require protection. The intention is that this single picture will permit economic development to proceed in a way that minimizes the risk of impacting these significant cultural areas. The STUP therefore serves as a high-level strategic planning tool that informs and balances the land use interests and needs of Stó:lō and others ranging from economic development to cultural heritage and environmental conservation and protection.
