with Eureka Peak

First Nations

Audio (585k): Alkali Lake Hand Drummers

In our work together with First Nations people, we respect the momentary experience and interpretation that is often theirs. Hence many of our events and activities are not strictly organized on a western time-line basis. This experience is largely intended to give each participant an opportunity to let go of time constraints, fundamental in understanding First Nations culture. Daily events will include morning and evening fireside circles and offerings, traditional drumming, singing and Shuswap language interpretation. Opportunities to learn traditional nutritional and medicinal uses of plants. Special ceremonies, such as the sweat-lodge, will be under the direction of elders and traditional medicine people.

Who are the Secwepemc?

The Secwepemc are comprised of 17 bands, dispersed over approximately 18% of the total area of British Columbia, in the south-central interior. The Secwepemc, in terms of traditional land base and population, are one of the largest First Nations groups in BC. The traditional lands occupy 105,000 sq. km. The total population is 8,475 of which 4,221 live on reserve.

The traditional Secwepemc were a semi-nomadic people, living during the winter in warm semi-underground "pit-houses" and during the summer in mat lodges made of reeds. The traditional Shuswap economy was based on fishing, hunting and trading. Shuswap diet consisted of fish, meat, berries and roots. The lifestyle, based on respect for nature, depended on traditional aboriginal skills and knowledge handed down from generation to generation by oral tradition. However, in the 19th century the Secwepemc culture was transformed with the appearance of fur traders, missionaries, gold miners, and settlers.

Diseases, introduced by the white man, decimated the native population after contact. In 1862 a severe epidemic of smallpox devastated the native people of British Columbia, wiping out many of the 32 villages of the Shuswap. Around the same time, the Hudson's Bay Company fur trade monopoly was ended and British Crown authority was established to maintain order and control settlement. Indian reserves were established during this colonial period.

In 1871, British Columbia became a province of Canada and the federal Department of Indian Affairs took over responsibility for every aspect of the Secwepemc social, political, and economic livelihood. The Catholic Church, in conjunction with the federal government, looked after the religious conversion of the Secwepemc people. In the 1890s two large "industrial" schools were established in Secwepemc territory at Kamloops and near Williams Lake. The Indian Residential Schools closed in the 1970s but have been the centre of much controversy in recent years. Their legacy continues to be felt in the lives of Secwepemc people.

In the late 19th century, the population of the Secwepemc people was estimated to be about 7,200 persons. Decline continued in the early 20th century. The shift in population between Indians and whites meant that power and control was now in the hands of the newcomers. The population of the Secwepemc Nation today has now grown to its historic levels in the early 19th century.

Information: The Secwepemc Culture and Education Society

The Old Trails New Adventures staff and community is made up of individuals, and community members from various parts of the Cariboo and surrounding areas. Embracing First Nations themes of individual gifts, community involvement and lifelong mentorship, will be important threads running throughout our trips.

For bookings and information contact: