The Declaration Of The Lillooet Tribe-May 10, 1911

Chief Harry Nkasusa
Samahqwam Band

On May 10, 1911 at Spence's Bridge B.C. 16 Chiefs from a number of bands in B.C. met to sign a declaration regarding their ownership of territorial lands and to present their other grievances to The Province Of BC and The Federal Government of Canada.

The Declaration was presented to the Province Of B.C. and the Federal Government of Canada in protest at the poor treatment that they were experiencing from both governments with respect to Aboriginal Ownership of Land.

To this day the protest of these Chiefs and the injustices of governments of that time period is still being carried on in the Sutikalh with the help of key leaders such as Kenny Peters, Hereditary Chief,with the Mount Currie Band, who is the grandson of Chief Harry Nkasusa.

Below is The Declaration Of The Lillooet Tribe May 10, 1911
Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe

United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Indegenous Peoples

N0749830 UN Indigenous Peoples

Mona Joe Woman Warrior Song

On Sunday September 19th the ashes of Mona Joe were spread on and around her rock high up in the pristine mountain valleys of Sutikalh.

Mona was central to the spreading of information around the proposed ski resort development in the Cayoosh by Al and Nancy Green Raine, and being a leader and organizer who succeeded in making the Sutikalh camp and future settlement a reality.

As an elder matriarch in the Mount Currie Band she galvanized the will and the efforts of many members of the community to preserve the pristine nature of Sutikalh, and to provide an on going presence as guardians well into the future, for the benefit of generations to come.

In the video Chief Gary John of the Seton Lake St'at'imc Nation sang the Woman Warrior Song as a lament of the death of a warrior.

The ceremony was attended by Mona's husband Eddie, Rosalyn, Hereditary Chief Kenny Peters, and Chief Gary John.

Click on the link to visit the Sutikalh YouTube Channel.

Aboriginal Identity And The Importance Of Language

The Atlas Of Canada
Canadian Dialect Map

Doug Dan mentioned in August that Canadians and most Westerners look at Aboriginals in the same context. "They think we are all the same, and that we all speak the same language, they put us all in the same pot ". "He also believes that there is not enough information on just how different Aboriginal Canadians are, not only in the different dialects spoken, but how different the cultures are from each other".

On the Natural Resources Canada website, The Atlas Of Canada reports that there are at least 50 different languages that are spoken by Aboriginal Canadians, and they have divided these different languages into 11 distinctive groups throughout the country.

Doug says that there are perhaps five different languages spoken in St'at'imc nation territory, and that Salish is one of the predominant dialects used within this region.

It is very important in this age of instant communication that we all celebrate the differences in Aboriginal Canadians, and that we continue to support this and encourage the development of the different dialects, and ensure that the young are taught the dialects that are native to the region that they live in.

Please feel free to add a comment and tell us what Dialect you speak if you are an Aboriginal Canadian.

University Of Calgary-Aboriginal Languages Study.

Summers End-Sutikalh Camp

Hubie, Almer, Doug & Ken

This is just a short note from Hubie to mention that since 2000 when this settlement was created, people from over 110 countries around the world have taken the time to visit the camp.

Some people have stayed for a few days, and some were kind enough to leave some supplies like food and gas, which is always appreciated. Fall and Winter is on the way, so any donations will be welcomed.

Be sure when you are visiting the camp to bring warm layers of clothing. The days and nights are getting cooler as the summer weather comes to an end here in the high alpine.