Archaeological evidence collected in the first phase of a cultural heritage study suggests the historical presence of the Secw茅pemc in the Chilcotin was larger than once thought.
Conducted by Williams Lake First Nation, Esk香蕉视频直播檈temc and Inlailawatash LP, the study is an urgent response to the Chilcotin Landslide to collect and preserve historical data at risk of being lost forever.
香蕉视频直播淓very site we identify, every piece of history we document, is a step toward reclaiming and preserving our story,香蕉视频直播� said Whitney Spearing, WLFN香蕉视频直播檚 Director of Natural Resources, in a March 18 press release sent to Black Press by the nation.
A total of 70 archaeological sites were identified in the first phase, 31 of which the study notes are pre-contact Secw茅pemc villages and seven of which contain sacred use features. Forty-nine per cent of the sites were affected by recent natural events including the Chilcotin Landslide and the 2017 wildfires.
The study was launched immediately after the landslide broke on the last day of July 2024. Sites of interest, from Hanceville to the mouth of the Chilcotin River (Pesxenm茅tkwe) were identified using GIS modelling, LiDAR scans and visual assessments, and fieldwork was conducted from August 15 to November 29.
Facing significant damage are Tecwil煤ps, Nexelp and Kwomesken香蕉视频直播檚 Village, three out of four main Secw茅pemc villages documented as once situated along Kwellk虛茅m虛t (or Tsenqlews, also known as Farwell Canyon).
Some sites identified by this first phase of the study have never before been formally documented.
香蕉视频直播淲e always knew there were more than just the four main village sites referenced in Teit香蕉视频直播檚 work,香蕉视频直播� said Spearing. The Teit she speaks of was a prominent ethnographer in the late 19 and early 20th centuries whose work catalogues Secw茅pemc sites.
The historical record identifies the presence of Secw茅pemc communities in the canyon, collectively known as Ste香蕉视频直播檛lemc, as a dominant trading force within the Secw茅pemc Nation. The press release said the study香蕉视频直播檚 archaeological evidence confirms the presence of Ste香蕉视频直播檛lemc for over 4,000 years.
香蕉视频直播淭hese pit houses are older than the pyramids...It香蕉视频直播檚 astonishing to think that so much of this history remained hidden until now,香蕉视频直播� said Spearing, who was impressed with the size and number of villages which the study found.
香蕉视频直播淭hese findings not only reshape our understanding of the past but also reaffirm the deep and enduring connection of Secw茅pemc people to this land.香蕉视频直播�
These communities were devastated by smallpox in the 1860s, and in 1963 some Esk香蕉视频直播檈temc houses in the area were burned down. The few survivors of smallpox outbreaks were forced to flee their communities and settle in smaller neighbouring Secw茅pemc villages such as Esk香蕉视频直播檈temc and Stswecem'c Xget'tem.
香蕉视频直播淭his work is about more than archaeology,香蕉视频直播� said WLFN Chief Willie Sellars.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 about honouring the stories of our Elders, protecting the places that hold the spirit of our people and ensuring that future generations can walk these lands with the same understanding and connection."
Moving on to phase two of the study, the next step is to collect more research out in the field, assess the damage done to the cultural sites and develop plans to recover, preserve and protect the sites from the wearing of time and the potential impact of future natural disasters.
香蕉视频直播淲illiams Lake First Nation is committed to working in the spirit of unity and respect to safeguard these cultural sites and strengthen our relationships with all those who share in the responsibility of caring for this land,香蕉视频直播� said Sellars.
The second phase of this study aims to involve the broader Secw茅pemc Nation as well other First Nation communities and stakeholders in further work to help sites recover and respond to future natural disasters.
香蕉视频直播淪ecw茅pemc people have lived alongside the T艥ilhqot'in for hundreds of years, each with deep connections to the land,香蕉视频直播� notes the release. 香蕉视频直播淲illiams Lake First Nation remains committed to fostering respectful dialogue and collaboration as we move forward together.香蕉视频直播�
The T艥ilhqot'in National Government declined making comments in response to WLFN香蕉视频直播檚 release.
