A rendering of the new RW Bruhn Bridge in Sicamous. (image courtesy of the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure / website)

By Liam Verster

Indigenous Collaboration

Bridge over Sicamous Narrows reopens as agreement signed

May 14, 2025 | 5:17 PM

The blockade at the R.W. Bruhn Bridge in Sicamous has been removed.

The Splatsin First Nation and Splatsin Development Corporation (SDC) parked dump trucks on either side of the bridge, blocking access to the road over Sicamous Narrows, Monday, May 12, due to issues with the groups overseeing the Bruhn Bridge Replacement Project breaching contract and not hiring Indigenous companies or workers.

In a media release, Splatsin and the SDC said all the parties came together Tuesday afternoon, and a new contract was negotiated to “reset the relationship and reaffirm the commitment to meaningful collaboration.” The blockade was then removed Wednesday.

“We are optimistic about this new chapter,” Kukpi7 (Chief) Michael Christian, said.

“This project takes place in our Area of Caretaker Responsibility within the Secwepemc Nation, and it’s essential that Splatsin has a role in shaping it. The past few days have shown the strength of our voices—but more importantly, they’ve shown what’s possible when we come back to the table and work together with honesty and respect.

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“Kukstsemc! to all the membership who participated in the protest, and Kukstsemc! to those who supported them throughout this important stand. Your collective presence was deeply appreciated by Splatsin Leadership.”

AEAC GP, the company leading the reconstruction project, added it was “committed to building a strong, long lasting and collaborative relationship with Splatsin and SDC,” adding it was confident that working together will lead to a successful completion of this project.

“We thank Splatsin and SDC for their willingness to reset the project relationship in a positive direction,” Colin Taylor, Vice President of AEAC GP, said.

“We are proud of the past work we have done with Splatsin and SDC and we want our relationship to continue well after this project is complete. AEAC GP thanks the Splatsin membership for their contribution to the work completed to date on the project.”

A timeline for the Bruhn Bridge Replacement Project was not provided Wednesday.