Our land is more than a place, it’s our identity. Protecting our unceded territory and standing strong for our title and rights means we don’t simply negotiate with the highest bidder; our decisions need to be guided by responsibility to our ancestors and the generations yet to come.
About Nick
I am Nicholas Peterson, son of RoMell and Doreen Peterson. My late father's parents are Luella and Eskel from Utah, and my mother's parents are John Shuter and Josephine Coutlee. This fall, my wife and I will be celebrating 22 years of marriage, and together we're raising five children. They guide me, reminding me every day of the future we are building and the generations to come.
I've had a diverse career path, I earned my Bachelor's in Biology Education, and my Master's in Environmental Science from Thompson Rivers University. I've been a teacher on the Navajo Nation, where I saw firsthand the systemic hardships Indigenous communities face. Later, a firefighter, and most recently, I returned home to work as the Cumulative Effects Coordinator.
Every step has taught me important lessons. As a first responder, I saw how trauma affects people, families, and our community. That's why healing and mental wellness will be a top priority. As a high school teacher, I learned how even small choices can change a person's path in life. I care deeply about our youth, and they will be a focus of my leadership. Returning home, I've worked under the late Leesa Mike, balancing the protection of our environment-especially salmon-while supporting economic opportunities for our people.
My campaign is guided by three truths: Our Land, Our Voice, Our Future.
- Our Land means protecting our unceded territory, standing strong for our title and rights, and making land and housing a priority for our people. Identity is tied to place, and providing a place for our members to call home will be at the center of my work.
- Our Voice means real accountability, leadership that listens, and making sure our people feel seen and heard.
- Our Future means investing in our youth, mental health, language, culture, and economic opportunities rooted in our values.
Yes, we face challenges. But we also carry incredible strength, resilience, and intelligence. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger community for the generations yet to come-and for our people today. This October, I humbly ask for your
Vote for Chief Nicholas Peterson
Our Land
Our land is more than soil, trees, or rivers—it is the foundation of who we are as Nlaka’pamux people. It carries our stories, our teachings, and our identity. Protecting our unceded territory is not just a legal or political obligation, it is a sacred responsibility. Standing firm for our title and rights means ensuring that decisions about our territory reflect our values, our traditions, and the well-being of future generations.
For too long, outside governments and companies have benefited from our resources while our own members struggle for secure housing and access to land. This imbalance cannot continue. Every member deserves the dignity of a safe and lasting home. I believe strongly that our housing solutions must move beyond a cycle of renting. Renting may provide shelter, but it does not provide legacy. Our members need a pathway to earn ownership—so that their efforts build something lasting, something they can pass on to their children. Homeownership is more than a roof; it is security, pride, and a foundation for strong families.
At the same time, we must honor our Elders in a way that reflects our cultural values. Our teachings constantly remind us to respect and care for them, yet when many reach their later years, they are placed in care facilities far from their families and familiar homelands. This is long overdue for change. I believe our community deserves to see a dedicated space for our Elders and as Chief, I will explore every pathway to create a dedicated space where they can live with dignity, close to family, culture, and community.
Our identity is tied to place. Reconnecting members with the land through ownership, stewardship, and cultural use strengthens us all. Healthy land means healthy people, and together we can build a future where our members are rooted in the land that has always been ours.
Our Voice
I know that true leadership must be accountable, transparent, and rooted in the voices of our people. Decisions that affect our community must never be made behind closed doors or without the guidance of those who live with the impacts. As a former Councilor and in my role with the Nicola Watershed Governance Partnership, I have always pushed to ensure that our members are heard in every decision that shapes our lives and our future. Creating space for Elders, Knowledge Keepers, youth, and families is not an afterthought—it is the foundation of good governance.
But “Our Voice” is more than human voices alone. We carry a sacred responsibility to be a voice for the voiceless—the salmon, the deer, the roots, and the berries. These are not resources; they are relatives. The relationship we hold with them carries the responsibility to speak on their behalf, to protect their homes, and to ensure their legacies endure alongside our own.
When I say “Our Voice,” I mean real leadership that listens, respects, and stands firm for our people.
Our Future
I want to make sure the next generations inherit more than we did. That means creating opportunities that reflect who we are. Cultural events like the He Sq̓yéytn Festival show what’s possible—projects that bring culture, education, and pride back into our community.
Our future depends on diversifying our economy in ways that align with our values. We must strengthen community-owned enterprises and support individual entrepreneurs, building self-reliance and keeping wealth in our community. Food security is also key—gardens, greenhouses, and traditional harvesting reconnect us to the land and reduce outside dependence.
We also carry the responsibility to heal from the hardships that have touched so many of our families. Challenges with addiction, mental health, and education are real, but they do not define us. By creating culturally rooted recovery programs, safe spaces for our youth, and strong pathways back into learning and training, we can turn struggle into strength. Healing is possible when we walk together, guided by our culture, supporting one another toward healthier and brighter futures.
BC organic farmer Nicholas Peterson
Eat local, save the world? Yes, according to BC organic farmer Nicholas Peterson!
He grows garlic in the Nicola Valley (Nlaka'pamux) near Merritt on land that's been in his family for generations. Find out why Nicholas - and so many other farmers and foodlovers across the province - are all about feeling connected to the land where our food is grown.
BC does have some of the best farm and foodlands - and therefore best food - in the world, after all.
#BCBuyLocal
