01/05/2026
Mutual Respect as Foundation for Stewardship
First Nations support Shuswap Dirt Riders’ use of sacred land
For as long as there have been motorcycles in British Columbia, riders have been developing trails through its mountains. Contrary to what some might assume, this does not have to conflict with the First Nations’ claim to the land.
We spoke with Garfield Chursky, president of the Shuswap Dirt Riders, about the harmonious collaboration between the club and the Secwépemc Indigenous People.
Kela7scen [KEL-ah-skin] mountain, also called Mount Ida, is located near Salmon Arm. The mountain is sacred to the Secwépemc people. It is said to be home to the “little people,” who, according to legend, once helped a lost hunter find his way. But Indigenous leaders are open to motorized recreational activities on the mountain, thanks in large part to the mutually respectful relationship between the Shuswap Dirt Riders and Secwépemc people.
Garfield has been riding and maintaining the single-track system on Kela7scen for almost fifty years. In 2019, he joined Shuswap Dirt Riders, who take excellent care of over 100 kilometres of track. They clean up illegal dumping and abandoned homeless shelters and make trail repairs and improvements. The club is working with the Shuswap Trail Alliance to first secure a Section 57 approval, which would formally recognize the trails for recreational use and protect them from industrial development, then seek a Section 56 designation, which would allow the Shuswap Dirt Riders to steward the trails. As part of this process, the Kela7scen (Mt.Ida) Trail Advisory group was formed, bringing together stakeholders, including Indigenous community members, to manage Mount Ida recreation planning.
Garfield was able to demonstrate the positive difference the club’s activity can make while hiking the West Peak with advisory group members. Two formerly certified hiking trails were obliterated during firefighting efforts in 1998 and consequently decommissioned. The damage remains to date. In contrast, the well-maintained motorcycle trail on the south side proved that single tracks, which follow the natural contours of the land, do very little damage to the landscape. The group was impressed by how beautifully the landscape was maintained.
“We’ve had lots of good interchange with the Indigenous leaders,” says Garfield. “They recognize that we mean no harm and cause no harm… that we involve ourselves to care for the mountain.” Garfield recalls Louis Thomas, one of the Indigenous leaders, pointing at him and saying, “You are the people that should be stewards of the mountain… You are the ones that show respect for the Creator… and the Creator has given us this mountain to take care of.”
Louis Thomas - Credit Martha Wickett Salmon Arm Observer
This is the key to the symbiotic relationship between the motorcycle club and the First Nations. “It’s a matter of mutual respect for other users,” Garfield says. “We have to show respect for the First Nations and their belief system and their value system…. When they speak to me about the Creator who gave us this mountain to care for… and [they] want people to use it as long as they care for it and show a responsibility towards the Creator… I embrace that.”
The trail network can be enjoyed by motorcyclists, mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians alike, benefiting a wider community. Whether to honour the Creator or preserve the network for generations to come, all parties share the same goal: to take good care of the Kela7scen. For Garfield, it’s a lifelong passion. “Getting Mount Ida and the trails to a point where they can be certified would be my legacy… that I would leave for my community.” And it is instrumental in realizing the club’s vision of establishing a place where “families can go out and ride together.”
Garfield rides the trails with his children and grandchildren, sharing his respect for the sport and the land. The club’s events cater to all ages. A recent cross-country race, attended by 256 riders, had trails for young kids to pro riders and veterans. Garfield was thrilled to see two Indigenous riders participating, with one winning in their category. "It's nice to see them embracing the sport!”
Their participation is a sign that the Shuswap Dirt Riders have earned the trust and support of the First Nations community, who appreciate the care and respect the club shows for the sacred land. Their approach is exemplary for the dozens of BCORMA member clubs across BC, many of which maintain trails within First Nations communities. By working together to care for the land, riders and Indigenous communities are showing that stewardship is strongest when it’s shared.
If your club has news to share or has overcome challenges worth shouting about, reach out to BCORMA. We’d love to feature your story.
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