OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

PRIORITIZE INDIGENOUS WAYS OF KNOWING 

• Honouring ceremony and Elder’s knowledge  
• Using cultural heritage to connect with community and Tmixʷ 
• Honouring sovereign governance  
• Prioritizing Indigenous leadership

WORKING IN A GOOD WAY WITH COMMUNITY AND ITS PEOPLE

• Being accountable to the community and its people.
• Empowering and supporting community values 
• Identifying community needs and asks 
• Working in collaboration with community
• Honouring autonomy of OKIB livestock owners and working with them to understand the challenges they face  
• Communicating respectfully and compassionately with all people  

WORKING IN A GOOD WAY WITH THE LAND 

• Preserving the land and ensuring it's longevity for Tmixʷ 
• Enacting protocol and ceremony when appropriate 
• Promoting sustainable ways of forage and land care  
• Bringing offerings to the Land   

WORKING IN A GOOD WAY WITH THE ANIMALS 

• Respecting the  wildness of the horses and using the appropriate precautions to stay safe for both the horses and those interacting with them 
• Promoting health of herds in a safe and compassionate manner  
• Being as gentle as possible whenever possible with the resources available

BALANCE, UNITY & GRATITUDE 

• Understanding the need to keep the horses on the range, and understanding the importance of balance by rehoming horses when needed to thin out overpopulated herds or to keep them healthy by healing with a rescue service, or at a safe facility
• Uniting with people who align with our values and work together in our efforts 
• Respect and honour the boundaries and limits of both horses and people 
• Giving thanks and maintaining an attitude of gratitude for the people, the land and the animals   

EDUCATION & LEARNING 

• Taking opportunities to learn and educate our team on best practices and sharing that with people for the benefit of all 
• Teaching community the importance of horse medicine and herd management   
• Acknowledging we're always learning 

ADAPTABILITY  

• Making room for a changing landscape and having patience for when they do 
• Releasing the idea that we can control everything