Chopaka, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
Chopaka is an unincorporated settlement near the US
border on the west bank of the Similkameen River
in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada
. Largely comprising two Indian Reserves, 'Chopaka IR No. 7 and Chopaka IR No. 8, the location was formerly listed as a railway station. Although located on the border, there is no border crossing at Chopaka, which is across the river from the highway crossing to Nighthawk, Washington
.
The name "Chopaka" is that of a legendary hunter of the Okanagan people
who was turned to stone as Chopaka Mountain
by Coyote
.
The Chopaka Indian Reserves are under the governance of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band
, based in Keremeos
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
border on the west bank of the Similkameen River
Similkameen River
The Similkameen River runs through southern British Columbia, eventually discharging into the Okanogan River near Oroville, Washington in the United States. The river is approximately long, and its drainage basin is in area...
in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Largely comprising two Indian Reserves, 'Chopaka IR No. 7 and Chopaka IR No. 8, the location was formerly listed as a railway station. Although located on the border, there is no border crossing at Chopaka, which is across the river from the highway crossing to Nighthawk, Washington
Nighthawk, Washington
Nighthawk is an unincorporated community on the Similkameen River in Okanogan County, Washington state, USA. It was named for a nearby mine. Nighthawk is a logging area along Loomis-Oroville Highway west-northwest of Oroville, Washington. Nighthawk also features a border crossing and is...
.
The name "Chopaka" is that of a legendary hunter of the Okanagan people
Okanagan people
The Okanagan people, also spelled Okanogan, are a First Nations and Native American people whose traditional territory spans the U.S.-Canada boundary in Washington state and British Columbia...
who was turned to stone as Chopaka Mountain
Chopaka Mountain
Chopaka Mountain, also known as Mount Chopaka, is a summit in the leeward flank of the North Cascades. Its summit area is a Natural Area Preserve comprising , and features a mountain goat population and various rare plants...
by Coyote
Coyote (mythology)
Coyote is a mythological character common to many Native American cultures, based on the coyote animal. This character is usually male and is generally anthropomorphic although he may have some coyote-like physical features such as fur, pointed ears, yellow eyes, a tail and claws...
.
The Chopaka Indian Reserves are under the governance of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band is a First Nations government in the Canadian province of British Columbia, located in the town of Keremeos in the Similkameen District. They are a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance....
, based in Keremeos
Keremeos, British Columbia
Keremeos is a village in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. The name originated from the Similkameen dialect of the Okanagan language word "Keremeyeus" meaning "creek which cuts its way through the flats" referring to Keremeos Creek which flows down from the Upper Benchlands to the...
.