This geocache is part of the Gold Country GeoTour – The Prequel: Be A Guest. This GeoTour focuses on a step back in time to learn about before the Gold Rush ensued: languages of the region’s culturally diverse families, handed down traditions such as recipes, flora and fauna, historic sites of significance, and points of interest. These stories will help preserve the oral languages and traditions of the region as well as assist in educating visitors and locals alike to the cultural diversity and environmental sensitivity of the region.
Skuppah Indian Band
PO Box 548 Lytton, BC
V0K 1Z0
Language: Nłeʔkepmxcín
Theme: Site of Significance
Present Day Chief: Douglas McIntyre
Located minutes away from Lytton, BC, the Skuppah Indian band is a group of Indigenous people who have a rich history dating back to precolonial times. The Skuppah people were traditionally known as the "River People" and were skilled navigators of the Fraser River. Skuppah is a First Nations band in British Columbia. It belongs to Band Number 707 in the list maintained by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. They are located about midway down the transportation route on either bank of the junction of the Thompson and Fraser Rivers (s). Skuppah is an ancient place alongside the Fraser River near the fork of the Thompson and Fraser River, and the people have resided there since time immemorial.
Skuppah people have a bright future ahead of them and are working hard to reconnect with their roots. In the last couple of years due to wildfire Skuppah has opened its doors to their Nlaka'pamux communities and the village of Lytton to the people still there from the devastating wildfires of 2021, and subsequently the wildfire on the west side in 2022. Skuppah Indian Band has been providing the location and support workers for a relief center for those affected by the wildfires.
Skuppah Indian band is part of the The ShchEma-mee. tkt Project. This project advances Nlaka’pamux ways to work with children and families involved, or at risk of becoming involved, in the child welfare system, with the goal to reinvigorate Nlaka’pamux traditions and involve our communities to protect and keep the children safe. This project involves a method of "Wrapping Our Ways" around the children. Nlaka'pamux language and creation stories are told to demonstrate the best way to live in accordance with Nlaka’pamux laws and their relationships with other life.
One prominent story that features the care for other life is the story of The Hells Gate Blast that came remarkably close to wiping out the Sockeye supply. During the construction of track through the Fraser Canyon in 1914, an explosion occurred that entirely blocked the Fraser River at Hell's Gate, blocking salmon migrations. Millions of salmon were trapped by the narrow passage, unable to reach their spawning grounds. The Nlaka'pamux people carried salmon in baskets, blankets, and buckets over the slide so that the runs might survive. Some neighboring Indigenous Nations arrived to assist in the duty to care for the salmon lives as it is the salmon that have provided nourishment for the indigenous lives, and that respect has always been demonstrated.
This event is still remembered today because it highlights how the Nlaka'pamux people have always cared for other forms of life, even when it was not easy. Caring for other forms of life is a key value that is still upheld by the Skuppah Indian Band today.
Researched and written by Brandy Cooper-Chardon
Sources:
https://www.skuppah.ca/
https://www.bcafn.ca/first-nations-bc/thompson-okanagan/skuppah
https://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/uploads/r/null/3/0/9/309dc43f7222a2b227f818b19971e35f7223ff9eca7983cbad16a57ec18d7d88/GR-2982_Box_2_File_2.5.pdf
https://www.nntc.ca/documents/WOW_Guidebook_2021_210214.pdf
https://bcanuntoldhistory.knowledge.ca/1910/the-hells-gate-landslide