MEMBER SOCIETIES ************ Member Societies and their secretaries are responsible for seeing that the correct address for their society is up-to-date. Please send any change to both the Treasurer and the Editor at the addresses given at the bottom of this page. The Annual Return as at October 31st should include telephone numbers for contact.

Members’ dues for the year 1986/87 were paid by the following Member Societies:

Alberni District Historical Society, Box 284, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y7M7 Atlin Historical Society, P.O. Box 111, Atlin, B.C. VOWlAO BCHF — Gulf Island Branch, do Marian Woirall, Mayne island, VON 2J0 BCHF — Victoria Section, do Charlene Rees, 2 - 224 Superior Street, Victoria, B.C. Burnaby Historical Society, 5406 Manor Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 1B7 Chemainus Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 172, Chemainus, B.C. VOR1KO Cowichan Historical Society, P.O. Box 1014, Duncan, B.C. V9L3Y2 District 69 Historical Society, P.O. Box 3014, Parksville, B.C. VOR2S0 East Kootenay Historical Association, P.O. Box 74, Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 4H6 Fraser Lake Historical Society, P.O. Box 57, Fraser Lake B.C., vo iSO Galiano Historical and Cultural Society, P.O. Box 10, Galiano, B.C. VON1PO Golden & District Historical Society, Box 992, Golden, B.C. VOA1HO Lantzville Historical Society, c/o Susan Crayston, Box 76, Lantzville, B.C. VOR2H0 Mission Historical Society, 33201 2nd Avenue, Mission, B.C., V2V 1J9 Nanaimo Historical Society, P.O. Box 933, Station ‘A’,Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2 Nanooa Historical and Museum Society, R.R. 1, Box 22, Marina Way, Nanoose Bay, B.C. VOR2R0 North Shore Historical Society, 623 East 10th St., North Vancouver, B.C., V7L 2E9 B.C. V7L 2E9 Princeton & District Pioneer Museum and Archives, Box 687, Princeton, B.C. VOXiWO Qualicum Beach Historical & Museum Society, c/o Mrs. Cora Skipsey, P.O. Box 352, Qualicum Beach, B.C. VOR2T0 Saltspring Island Historical Society, P.O. Box 705, Ganges, B.C. VOSlEO Sidney and North Saanich Historical Society, P.O. Box 2404, Sidney, B.C. V8L 3Y3 Silvery SIocaI Historical Society, P.O. Box 301, New Denver, B.C. VOGiSO Trail Historical Society, P.O. Box 405, Trail, B.C. V1R 4L7 Valemont Historic Society, P.O. Box 850, Valemount, B.C. VOE2AO Vancouver Historical Society, P.O. Box 3071, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X6

Affiliated Groups B.C. Museum of Mining, P.O. Box 155, Britannia Beach, B.C. VONhO City of White Rock Museum Archives Society, 1030 Martin St., White Rock, B.C. V4B 5E3 Fort Steele Heritage Park Fort Steele B C VOB1NO The Hallmark Society, 207 Government Street, Victoria B C V8V 2K8 Nanaimo Centennial Museum Society, 100 Cameron Road Nanaimo B C V9R 2X1 Lasqueti Island Historical Society, Lasqueti Island, B C, VOR2J0

Second-class registration number 4447.

Published fall, winter, spring, and summer by the British Columbia Historical Federation, P.O. Box 35326, Station E, Vancouver, B.C. V6M 4G5. A Charitable Society recognized under the Income Tax Act.

Manuscripts and correspondence for the editor are to be sent to P.O. Box 5626, Stn. B, Victoria, B.C., V8R 6S4. Correspondence regarding subscriptions and all other matters should be directed to the Vancouver address above.

Subscriptions: Institutional, $16.00 per year; Individual (non-members), $8.00.

Financially assisted by the Government of British Columbia through the British Columbia Heritage Trust. British Columbia Volume 20, No. 4 Historical News. Fall, 1987 Editorial

Volume 20, No. 5 is the second in Journal of the B.C. Historical Federation the series of ‘theme issues’ for the B.C. Historical News. With the prominence of the land claims issue in our Contents newspapers these days, “Native Peo Features ple” is both a topical theme and one that the majority An Aboriginal and Ecological Conspiracy: The 3 of us would do well Life-Sustaining Turning Point in History to learn more about. I personally am Walt Taylor fascinated by the history and culture of those who have lived in this part of The Shuswaps: A Band Moves to the Columbia 6 the world long enough to truly under Valley stand the land. I only hope that I live Shelagh Dehart long enough to witness the publication of a history of the west coast from the Memorial to a Cowichan Chief 7 perspective of the native people. I fear, Elsie G. Turnbull however, that a cultural bias (i.e. the lack of a written tradition) will make Wilby in the Kootenays 8 Ron Welwood this event unlikely. I believe that there is a great deal to be learned from a Beyond those Rugged Mountains 12 culture that for centuries was able to Gerry Andrews live in harmony with nature along our

coast — something that today presents Saanich Indian Settlement 15 us with a good deal of difficulty. Geoffrey Castle I am pleased that we are able to pre sent a variety of articles that deal with Solar-Lunar Observatory Montague Harbour 16 native Indians in this issue; however, Les Laronde I am also very disappointed that we have only one submission from an In The Little Red Schoolhouse 18 Rae Purcell dian. I had hoped to have more. I am pleased to present Walk Taylor’s in Native Issues: Selected Quotes 20 teresting and informative perspective on the land claims issue. Reports from the Branches 22 Our next theme issue will be Volume 21, No. 2 (Spring) and will focus on News and Notes 23 the history of the Chinese in British Columbia. This is another rich area of

Convention — 1987 (photos) 24 our province’s history that remains largely untapped. If you have exper Bookshelf 26 tise in this field, know someone who Mayor Gerry: The Remarkable G.G. McGeer does, or are looking for a new area to review by Patricia Roy explore, now is the time to get started. Submissions should be recieved by Metis Outpost March 1, 1987. review by Moray Maclachian Themes to be explored in future issues of the B. C. Historical News in clude “Pioneer Women in B.C.” and “Education in the Frontier Communi The B.C. Historical News welcomes submissions of interesting and informative ty.” The intent is to have two theme articles or photo essays on any subject relating to British Columbia history. Manuscripts should be typed (double-spaced) with footnotes and/or bibliography, issues per year (alternate issues). It if possible and pertinent. Length to 2500 words. Photos and illustrations ap should be stressed that there is room preciated and returned. Authors are asked to provide a very brief “bio” to run for well-written articles on any subject at the end of the article. Send to: The Editor, B.C. Historical News, P.O. Box dealing with B.C. history in every issue 5626, Stn. B., Victoria, B.C., V8R 6S4. of the News. Bob Tyrrell

1 Publishing Committee Report

Letters to the editor We were pleasantly surprised at the subscribers of each branch. In this ease with which our list of subscribers way, renewals, changes and correc To the editor: was computerized a few months ago. tions can be made on the printout The Telkwa Museum Society is cur But we rejoiced too soon! A number sheet itself. One copy can be returned rently involved in a historical research of problems have begun to ap to the Subscription Secretary, while project of the Bulkley Valley in Nor pear: our own tardy invoicing of in the second is retained for the Branch’s thwestern British Columbia. This area dividual and institutional subscribers; records. Treasurers should have receiv stretches from Houston to Hazelton, the mysterious disappearance of those ed up-to-date printouts before this and includes the communities of who the Post Office advise us have issue of the News is distributed. Smithers, Quick and Telkwa. Our ‘moved’; and confusion in interpreting The sorting out of this situation has primary concern is with the subscription lists sent in by Branch been a big job and, in a few cases, Telkwa/Aldermere area in the period treasurers. paid-up members were sent invoices. between 1900 and 1930. We are trying to do better with in We are very sorry for any consterna Any information you can give us on voices. A form will be included in this tion or inconvenience which this has buildings, customs, roads, etc. would and future issues for the use of those caused. be greatly appreciated. who are moving; .we would appreciate We are grateful once again to the Thank-you for your time and we having treasurers or membership B.C. Heritage Trust for a $2000.00 eagerly anticipate your reply. secretaries advise us promptly about grant towards the cost of publishing changes of address as well, so that the News over the next two years. Sincerely yours, members will not miss issues. In closing, we must thank Rhys Sandra Lussier We will try to overcome the confu Richardson once again for the tremen Telkwa Museum Society, sion which has arisen in the past few dous contribution which he made to Box 365, months in transferring information the publishing of the News during its Telkwa, B.C. VOJ 2X0 from branch treasurers’ submissions transition period last year. We hope to the computer program by mailing, that he enjoys catching up with all his every six months or on request, other commitments; retiring he is not! duplicate copies of a printout of Ann W. Johnston, Chair.

NEXT ISSUE - r Deadline for the next issue of the B.C. Historical News is Dec 15, 1987 4, Please submit articles and reports to: The Editor P.O. Box 5626, Stn. B Victoria, B.C. V8R 6S4 M /‘VSoN CR HOC/5f /6’yO Copyrqh’ NvooA N.Ms.

B.C. Historical News 2 about the agonizing and still continu ing struggle by Indians to retain their aboriginal rights and to exercise their traditional responsibilities in order to An Aboriginal and Ecological survive as a people. The constructive achievements of Conspiracy: The Life-Sustaining Indian people are also part of the hid den history, but we are beginning to Turning Point in History hear more about the unique contribu tion which native people are making to solving complex problems of modern society. The land claims pro cess will eventually be understood as a very important step toward the sur Walt Taylor vival and advancement of all people. Agonies of History In his 1856 inaugural address to the Legislative Assembly of the colony of Vancouver Island, Governor James Douglas referred to the uneasiness in the colony caused by maurauding The “land claims” struggle has been We could call it cultural leapfrog. bands of Indians, but he declared, “I misunderstood in British Columbia as After generations of looking back on shall nevertheless continue to con a potential threat by Indian people Indian culture we now find that it is ciliate the good will of the native In against non-Indian interests.’ From out in front in some very significant dian tribes by treating them with the very beginning of contact with ways. Some may consider the new ap justice and forebearance and by rigidly native people on both Atlantic and proach assimilation in reverse, but it protecting their civil and agrarian Pacific coasts, most non-native North will be more useful and appropriate to rights.”6 Americans have assumed that their describe it as an urgently needed, two- Douglas arranged 14 treaties in the superior, European, civilized society way cultural interaction, with mutual 1850s covering small areas in the would endure and prosper while the respect and for mutual benefit. southern tip of Vancouver Island. backward, savage, heathen, original The ancient aboriginal hertitage and Federal Treaty Number 8, signed in people whom they misnamed “In the more recent ecological science have 1899, extended into the northeastern dians” would eventually vanish — one much in common. Working together part of British Columbia. Otherwise way or another. they provide the most promising glim the land question in the entire province For more than a century in British mer of light we can now see at the end has never yet been resolved by any Columbia, and several centuries of this century’s long, dark tunnel of treaty, agreement, purchase, court elsewhere, the persistent non-Indian worsening conditions for life on decision or other arrangement with answer to the so-called “Indian pro earth.5 native people, and not even by blem” has been assimilation. Every The good news is that the land conquest. time one approach failed another was claims process in British Columbia can For all 116 years of its existence, the tried. With the best of intentions now be appreciated as an opportuni province of British Columbia has sometimes, and other times the worst, ty for mutual advancement instead of refused to negotiate, arguing that pressures and inducements prodded being feared, ignored or attacked as aboriginal title or interest never ex Indian people to catch up with the though non-Indian residents must isted, but even if it ever did, it was ex dominant society’s language, religion, somehow lose whatever Indian people tinguished when B.C. joined Con law, education, and aggressive win.’ federation as a province in 1871. economic development. The Hidden History of B.C. Through all those years native peo During recent years, however, much The history of British Columbia as ex ple in British Columbia suffered more evidence has been accumulating that perienced by native people is un agonies than any short paper can ade human well-being and possibly the familiar to most residents of the pro quately summarize. Children were very survival of life on earth depend vince even though it may not have removed from their home com on the willingness of all people, been deliberately suppressed. To munities to attend residential schools especially industrialized people, to understand Indian land claims, where they were severely punished for change our ways of thinking and begin however, it is necessary to absorb this speaking their own languages by both catching up with the more advanced little-known history directly from well- government and religious instructors. aboriginal heritage of living in respon informed sources or to search the Many communities were decimated by sible harmony with nature. 2 3 4 available literature for information alien diseases. When the feast or

3 B.C. Historical News potlatch was outlawed by non-Indian In 1927 the special joint committee aboriginal title to their land; three rul legislation between 1884 and 1950, dismissed the claim as unproven and ed that they once had such title but it obedience to that foreign law tended closed the door on any more Indian had been taken away without ever be to undermine the foundations of in political activity around land claims. ing compensated. The seventh sitting digenous peoples’ very existence — In response to committee recommen justice ruled against the Nisga’a only aboriginal law, religion, education, dations, Parliament even made it a on a technicality, their failure to ob economy, government, family and criminal offense for Indians to tain provincial permission to take the clan life, and the combined wisdom organize or to collect money to assert case to court. and spirit for respecting and protec their land claims. Prime Minister Trudeau ting all of nature. In June, 1969, during the early acknowledged that aboriginal rights All these facets of Indian life were period of Prime Minister Pierre Effiott might be stronger than he had thought integrated into one unbroken circle Trudeau’s government, a “new Indian and his government agreed that claims which anticipated the first law of policy” was published by Indian Af should be settled by negotiation. As it ecology, that everything is connected fairs Minister Jean Chretien. The col always had done, British Columbia to everything else — not compartmen our of this “White Paper” was ap refused to participate. Fourteen years talized or fragmented into separate propriate. In a quick response later negotiations have not even started categories. representing enormous Indian fury, on any B.C. claim.’0 For more than a century B.C. In young Harold Cardinal published The Now that all else has failed, 54 dian people have persistently and pa Unjust Society before 1969 ended. Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en hereditary tiently tried to resolve the land ques “Now,” he wrote, “at a time when chiefs have taken the provincial tion. In 1915 and 1916 the Allied our fellow Canadians consider the pro government to court in order to assert Tribes of British Columbia was form mise of the Just Society, once more the their ownership and jurisdiction over ed to act in support of the 1913 Indians of Canada are betrayed by a 57,000 square kilometres of traditional “Nishga Petition.” It was the first programme which offers nothing more land. The province successfully forc inter-tribal Indian organization in the than cultural genocide . . . a thinly ed the federal government into the case province. disguised programme of extermination as co-defendant, even though the

In 1926 the Allied Tribes, through through assimilation . . . Small federal government has a trust respon Rev. Peter Kelly, a Haida minister, wonder that the native people of sibility to protect Indian interests.1’ Andrew Paull of the Squamish Band Canada look back on generations of This landmark case began in a of Mission Reserve and Chief Johnny accumulated frustration under condi Smithers courtroom with six weeks of Chillihitza, presented land claims posi tions which can only be described as powerful testimony presented in May tions to Parliament which set up a colonial, brutal and tyrannical, and and June, 1987, by four chiefs — three Joint Committee to hold hearings and look to the future with the gravest of Gitksan and one Wet’suwet’en. It was make recommendations. Chief doubts. . . Indians have aspirations, scheduled to re-open September 8, but Chillihitza summarized a point of view hopes and dreams, but becoming white B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice that has been eloquently presented men is not one of them.”8 Allan McEachern agreed on that day around the world by countless chiefs Cardinal reported in 1969 what has to a postponement requested by the long before his time and right up to been happening increasingly ever plaintiffs because they lack sufficient the present date: since: funds to pursue the case. The federal “My forefathers and my own father “Many Indians once again are look government had reduced by one-third were some of the leading chiefs of ing toward the old as the hope of the the funding needed and expected by British Columbia and they never relin future. Many Indian leaders believe a the plaintiffs. The senior governments, quished their titles, but now they are return to the old values, ethics and as co-defendants, apparently have dead, and I am their successor, and I morals of native beliefs would whatever financial and research still have the title; I did not give them strengthen the social institutions that resources they may require. For the to anybody, and now I come over here govern the behaviour patterns of In best interests of all Canadians, this in Ottawa so that the government in dian societies.”9 case is considered too important to be Ottawa will give me power in my titles Faced with this unexpected opposi discontinued for lack of sufficient and my rights. tion, the federal government slowed its funds to complete it. “The Indians do not want to be en pace of assimilation and began fun Ecstacies franchised; they want to be as they are. ding Indian groups to undertake the “The Honour of All” is a video All the Indians want is to be just In necessary research and planning for docu-drama about the Alkali Lake dians, and not to be taken as white negotiating their land claims. The Band of Shuswap Indians successful people, and made to live like the white Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs was ly advancing in 12 years from nearly people; they want to be the way their formed to tackle this huge task. In 100% alcoholism to about 95% forefathers used to be, just plain In 1973 the Supreme Court of Canada sobriety. Led by Chief Andy Chelsea dians. That is what my people want. surprised federal politicians with its and his wife, Phyllis, the actors in this They do not want to be judgment in the Calder case. Three historical show are band members who enfranchised.”7 judges held that the Nisga’a still had play the parts they actually lived in real

B.C. Historical News 4 life, “warts and all.” An essential ber for the next seven generations. How shall we begin to change our feature of community recovery was a From Melting Pot to Mosaic ways of thinking toward sustainable return to traditional spiritual values, Fortunately, in spite of endless development? The WCED Report including the sweat lodge ceremonies, pressure to assimilate, indigenous peo notes that “some communities — so- counselling by Indian Elders, and ple of British Columbia, Canada and called indigenous or tribal peoples — warm, substantial, neighbourly sup around the world have refused to remain isolated because of such fac port for everyone willing to attempt vanish. Instead of disappearing, they tors as physical barriers to com to give up drinking.’2 are becoming the world’s highly munication or marked differences in On Haada Gwaii (“the Islands of respected consultants on the best ways social and cultural practices 20 the People”) — the Queen Charlotte to survive dire straits. We are beginn “The isolation of many such peo Islands — the Haida say, “The land ing to appreciate the strengths in ple has meant the preservation of a is still our culture, our bodily cultural diversity. traditional way of life in close har sustenance, our artistic inspiration, The Turning Point mony with the natural environment. and the source of our spiritual well For the first time in a million years Their very survival has depended on being. Our people cannot and will not on earth, human beings must now their ecological awareness and adap allow the destruction of this priceless choose between survival, with tation 2! heritage.”3 two-week A Rediscovery possibilities for a higher quality of life “These communities are the programme was initiated in 1978 by than we can now imagine, or — repositories of vast accumulations of Thom “Huck” Henley for Haida extinction. traditional knowledge and experience youth with problems at home or with Our Common Future is the title of that links humanity with its ancient the law. Expanded now to include a 1987 report by the World Commis origins. Their disappearance is a loss children of all backgrounds, this sion on Environment and for the larger society, which could hands-on experience encourages Development.’7 Chaired by a woman learn a great deal from their traditional respect for nature and Haida culture who is Prime Minister of Norway, Dr. skills in sustainably managing very through wilderness adventure. Haida Gro Harlem Brundtland, Commis complex ecological systems. It is a elders often visit to teach about life in sioners from 21 very different national terrible irony that as formal develop ancestral villages. — At least seven backgrounds including two ment reaches more deeply into rain similar camps have developed in distinguished Canadians — conducted forests, deserts, and other isolated en British Columbia and the U.S. based hearings around the world for nearly vironments, it tends to destroy the only on Rediscovery’s success.’4 three years. Although disagreeing on other cultures that have proved able The Gitksan-Wet’suwet’en Tribal details and priorities, they agreed com to thrive in these environments.22 Council, centred in Hazelton, is con pletely on significant changes required “The starting point for a just and fident that its combination of years of for survival. They conclude, “We are humane policy for such groups is the biological research and centuries of unanimous in our conviction that the recognition and protection of their direct experience in protecting fish and security, well-being, and very survival traditional rights to land and the other the environment will lead to improv of the planet depend on such changes, resources that sustain their way of life ed conditions for natural salmon and now.,,” — rights they may define in terms that for all responsible fishing people. The The absolutely essential key to Our do not fit into standard legal systems. Tribal Council plans to re-establish the Common Future is “sustainable These groups’ own institutions to conservation benefits of an inland development. All twelve chapters of regulate the rights and obligations are fishery based on traditional as well as the Brundtland Report emphasize the crucial for maintaining the harmony modern scientific wisdom and adjective, sustainable. with nature and the environmental methods.’5 This report is by no means the first awareness characteristic of the tradi Although not opposed to develop to recommend that the endangered in tional way of life . . . . Hence the ment, the Nisga’a “do not support the dustrialized society put on some cross- recognition of traditional rights must kind of development which imposes cultural hearing aids in order to listen go hand in hand with measures to pro tremendous negative impacts while of with more understanding to the tect the local institutions that enforce fering few benefits. We are for order wisdom and experience of aboriginal responsibility in resource use. And this rational ly, development which is in people. It offers, however, the most recognition must also give local com tune with our culture, economic in recent and compelling evidence that we munities a decisive voice in the deci terests, and long-term survival.”6 In have come to an unprecedented turn sions about resource use in their area.23 respect to B.C.’s important forest in ing point in history: “Those promoting policies that dustry, for example, the Nisga’a have “We are not forecasting a future; have an impact on the lives of an been doing research and preparing for we are serving a notice — an urgent isolated, traditional people must tread years to replace the present short notice based on the latest and best a fine line between keeping them in ar sighted logging system in the Naas scientific evidence — that the time has tificial, perhaps unwanted isolation Valley with their own, genuine, sus come to take the decisions needed to and wantonly destroying their life tained yield plan for development that secure the resources to sustain . “24 this and styles . . . will continue to provide valuable tim- coming generations.”9 (cont. on page 25) 5 B.C. Historical News

6 B.C. News Historical

babies were in wild group; a put swan line Kootenays with The in stood their

the

Columbia on night At River. the

were with weapons. feet on their their snatched papoose Marianne’s and

men

explored southward upstream Shuswaps same at almost the the time — a crowd of women, one whom of

camp Kinbasket on

Lake

the while arrows hands their bows and in and the visit Kootenays. met were by They

women

and

children

were

at the left forest of walked the out men with Eugene’s Mission) near Steele Fort to

not it was mosquito season!

The Kootenay twelve the day One hills. Kinbaskets to went AkAm (St.

Life

was

at good

Kinbasket

if Lake

The footprints Shuswaps seen had in a child year he became after chief. The

permanent a

home. Strangers camp. their near new were Marianne married who his first bore

to to Kinbasket trek

to it make Lake

Spillimacheen. moved group to group’s to last Adams trip Lake, had

gathered

family his a

friends

few and Kinbasket the Later River. umbia father’s business. his on Pierre, the

sion

in

the

group, the new

chief the beside buried and there was Col breath”. of son took Pierre His ovei

a on

steep

Because

cliff. the

dissen of camped Yelhillna Golden. at died Old hered with what he called “shortness

One

was murdered

his body and left the they At Valley. first Columbia to Old chief Paul Ignatius was bot

trouble

among

the

men

tribe. of the But back brought were women the welcome the to land of the Kootenays.

Shortly after time

this was there

some

returned Adams to and enough Lake. Shuswaps understood that they were

a

become

Catholic,

replaced him.

gone. were had children They had changed theirs with the Shuswaps. The

Ignatius

Kinbasket,

had

who

just

camp returned women to the and to row the chief. Then all the men ex

was in

failing

son health, Paul his

stand for too this long. When the men made signs. He gave his bow and ar

When

Yelhillna Chief

old

grew and

But quitoes. the women could not who seemed to the be leader spoke and

to use

horses for seasonal their

trek.

the swans kept snapping up mos ing the strangers. The Kootenay man

this

path

was cleared they

able

were

Whadoog!” was all you could hear ding, as ordered his men to up line fac

qwax)

and on

to Lake. Adams

Once

around circle the infants. “Whadoog! natius Kinbasket, with his heart poun

yon,

Revelstoke, (Spel

Pass Eagle

chicks caught were and tethered a in by hands their sides. Chief Paul Ig

through the mountains Albert to Can

umbia River and route bush-whacked

they Through abandoned time the Col

to their at homes winter Adams Lake.

every spring returned and the in fall

Kinbasket Lake. The migrated group

umbia River around the Big Bend to

the mountains then followed the Col

way of Seymour Ann. They went over

explore eastward from Lake Adams by

the Shuswap tribe a led friends few to

Many ago years Chief Yelhillna of

tIEs Ian. of Mica

biJdirrj tle to prixr

b1urbia Ri.er slrwirg

Wiurbia British Shelagh Dehart S.E.

COLUMBIA VALLEY

MOVES BAND A TO THE

SHUSWAPS: THE MEMORIAL TO A COWICHAN CHIEF

Elsie G. Turnbull

A rocky mass rising above the waters of Cowichan Bay, Mt. Tzouhalem commemorates in its name a notorious chief banished to living in its caves, but on the forested slope stands a memorial to another chief honored by his fellows. From Cowi chan Village across the water we often noted the gleaming white obelisk un Grave of Chief Chipaya-moult on Mt. Tzouhalem. til a sunny August day in 1966 lured us to futher investigation. Driving 1920 at the age of 110 years and was money, decided to send a delegation around the head of the bay we turned buried on the slope above Khenipsen of Island Indian Chiefs to visit King along Khenipsen Road to find our way Road. In 1923 the Cowichan Band Edward VII in London. They asked up the steep hillside. Now on land built a tomb, 18 feet high, on its base him to intercede with the Canadian belonging to the Cowichan Indian a plaque bearing the message: “In lov government to ensure that Indian Band we climbed the trail to a rough ing memory of the Chief who organiz traditional rights would be recogniz clearing where we found an imposing ed the deputation of Indian chiefs on ed by that body. However, it didn’t column topped by a large brass ball. Vancouver Island to King Edward VII work out.” Standing beside a cement slab which in 1905. After life’s fitful fever he Chief Charlie Chipaya-moult still was surrounded by a wood framework sleeps well.” sleeps on that hillside, his tomb still with wire fencing, it marked the burial In 1964 the members of Post No. cared for by later generations of the place for several graves. A broken 10, Native Sons of B.C. obtained per Cowichan Band but forgotten by a headstone lay nearby. There was no in mission from the Cowichan Indian world which still questions tribal scription anywhere but a blank space Band to clear brush and debris from fishing and hunting rights that he was obvious on the obelisk shaft. A the site and to paint the obelisk. The sought eighty years ago. quiet spot beneath the rocky cliffs of plaque had been stolen long years Tzouhalem, it gave no hint as to who before but the Chief’s daughter had a lay buried there. replica under glass. This she let them Now, twenty years later, in this year photograph, which was fortunate, for of 1987 we have found the answer to a short time later her house and the our query. On the recent Cemetery replica were destroyed in a fire. Symposium Tour of the Cowichan In Jack Fleetwood’s words, “the In District, Jack Fleetwood, a long-time dian people were very disturbed at the resident of Duncan recalled the story way their tribal rights, such as fishing heard in his youth. “I remember my and hunting, were being restricted or father mentioning the death of Chief suppressed by the Dominion govern Charlie Chilpaya-moult who died in ment, so raising a considerable sum of

7 B.C. Historical News

8 B.C. News Historical

Dunlop

gasoline. of gallons of 23 in x) Consequently ix Tour, Motor “The to Wilby, - According highways.

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Atlan

from Highway Trans-Canadian a for total per hour miles 24 20 Thomas about known is Little -

a promote to and Movement” Roads at about good roads, on travelled, unfolded.

“Good support the to journey epic trio usually journey tale the the the During Wilby research later, hours of

his commenced Wilby Company, Car 29) (Logging, Many detail. in land.” discrepancies ed vast

Motor Reo the of the and sponsorship the contact with intimate reveal no has however, mile, sources, from these

Association Highway Canadian ing so per much at package a like train, collected information The Columbia.

the fledgl auspices of under the 1912, by the continent across goes who man British of Archives Provincial the and

(Nelson),

Library Thompson David

Assn.)

Museum Kootenay of courtesy (photo

Museum, Nelson collections: in three

6, 1912. October in Nelson, Hotel Strathcona

located were photograph the of Copies the of front car in touring Special Reo beside his poses Wi/by

tour. motoring architectural an for

illustration appropriate an Hotel —

Strathcona old the of front in parked

automobile early an shows ped photo

crop enough. The Simply brochure.

heritage Nelson of a cover the

on used and be to cropped that was

a photograph b’ings with saga This

Weiwood Ron

YS KOOTENA

THE IN WILBY Traction Tread 35 x 4 tires were used and only two spares were carried. In all, the Reo weighed 3280 pounds. In keeping with his Victorian civili ty, Wilby proposed and secured com mercial or private shelter every night while on this transcontinental trip. Perhaps he did not want to sacrifice his daily routine of partaking in cof fee and cigars! Therefore, camping equipment and guns were deliberate ly excluded from the equipment list. Forever dressed in his baggy tweeds and battered fedora, Wilby was ac companied by a Reo Motor Car mechanic, F.V. Haney, who doubled as chauffeur. It is interesting to note that in his 290 page account of the en tire trip, Wilby never once mentions Haney by name! He is only referred The Reo Special touring car manufactured in St. Catherines, Ontario. to as the “driver” or the “chauffeur”. (photo courtesy of Kootenay Museum Assn.) A second driver, Earl Wise, joined them in Regina, Saskatchewan. between these two points but to entering the swamp, driver and horses No wheeled vehicle had ever before describe the astonishing feats ac were nowhere to be seen. The attempted to make the journey from complished in motoring through the motorists lit their acetylene lamps and coast to coast solely on Canadian soil. Kootenay region of British Columbia. the Reo tentatively took the lead over Many of the roads, where they existed, This alone should give the reader an a narrow track filled with rock, mud were uncharted and unsignposted. In inkling of their adventures from and water. Mirky pools of unknown some areas there were no roads at all. “Halifax to Vancouver — All Red depth were cautiously sounded before From northern Ontario to Winnipeg, Route”. being crossed. the Reo had to be shipped by boat and By October 3, 1912 Wilby, Haney Often we plunged along at angles rail — much to Wilby’s dismay. Ex and Wise had reached Cranbrook, which no motor-car was ever in isting road maps were restricted to British Columbia. Although superb tended to take, inwardly praying specific regions; and, at best, many trails and roads entered Cranbrook for the advent of the horses. We roads were just glorified pathways. from the east, the route westward in were buried to the flanks in the Consequently, it was necessary to cluded a swamp and a narrow moun slough and at times both cars enlist pilots selected from the various tain trail considered impassable by sank to the hubs, listing heavi auto clubs across Canada. These pilots automobile. The motorists were ly, grinding and ploughing their volunteered to guide the pathfinder strongly advised to ship their car by way, pounding the tyres to rags, through the uncharted districts. Such rail to Nelson or even Castlegar and while the engines roared and arrangements created enough advance spend their time touring the beautiful groaned and the wheels angrily publicity for the argonauts that they Kootenay valley to the north. shot the water in inky spindrift heartily received rousing civic However, our stalwart heroes refused over men and trees. (A Motor welcomes in the communities they to entrain the Reo unless absolutely Tour, 244) visited; and, of course, these recep necessary. After two hours the automobilists tions were accompanied by the usual The next day, after the usual city came across the long expected horses; public speeches and dinners. hall reception, the trio left Cranbrook and the remainder of the journey to At four o’clock on August 27, 1912 at about three o’clock following J.R. Yahk was relatively uneventful. in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a flask was McNabb’s pilot-car that would guide At Yahk the trail came to an abrupt filled with Atlantic water and the them to Yahk. Walter Halsall joined end. The only route ahead was four wheels of the Reo were ceremonious the group for the trip to Creston. teen miles of train tracks. Since driv ly backed into the ocean. The Although their objective was to reach ing along the railway right-of-way was westward journey from Nova Scotia Yahk by dusk, there was a five mile illegal, the pilot surreptitiously made to British Columbia is eloquently and swamp and forest between Moyie inquiries at a dingy bar and discovered humorously described in Wilby’s book Lake and their destination point. As that no trains, “barring a possible of Victorian prose, A Motor Tour a precaution, the automobilists had freight or two”, were expected for the Through Canada. The purpose of this telephoned ahead to have a team of next few hours. After a hasty meal, the paper is not to relate the travellers’ tale horses waiting for them but, upon motorists bid farewell to their pilot

9 B.C. Historical News cle up the incline. At three o’clock in the morning of October 5th, the Reo was the first automobile to enter the town of Creston by “road”. Four weary travellers roused the sleepy-eyed proprietor of a darkened hotel, had a J KOOTENAY short celebration in the dimly lit bar, and then tumbled off to bed. CRANBROOK Later that day, the travellers left ELSON Creston on yet another swampy trail. Their destination was Kootenay Lan ding, the Canadian Pacific Railway’s terminus of the Crows Nest Line MOYXE LAKE located on the west side of Kootenay KOOTENAY LANDING--I Lake at the mouth of the Kootenay -. o q River. Two river crossings separated • I Q. them from the Crow Boat for Nelson. The motorists were guided past the KOOTENAY RIVER • . ,: ,, • Kutenai Indian Reservation via an I, CANADA (BRITISH COLUMBIA) almost invisible trail meandering amid stranded logs until they the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA reached first ferry crossing about twelve miles south of the steamboat landing. They then proceeded across the tall, rank who had to return to Cranbrook brilliant light into the forest. The grass of Kootenay Flats to the second through the swamp. They then drove way had been straight only for crossing. At this time of the year the west to find a level crossing where the a mile or so, then it began to con water level of the Kootenay River was automobile could be placed on the tort and twist and writhe and twenty feet below its mud banks. track under the cover of darkness. For throw itself into agonies as if try To get the car down to the level the next few hours Wilby and his crew ing to toss us off the rails. The of the river was a Herculean task encountered the most dangerous and track ran sharply downhill: one which required all the strength nerve-racking section of the entire trip. could sense the grade in the and ingenuity of five men and Four pairs of eyes strove to sound of the engines and the the aid of stubbing posts, ropes pierce the distance ahead and ‘feel’ of the pedals. The curves and planks. Once on the raft, behind; and every nerve was grew sharper and shorter, the boats towed it across and a team strained in listening for a possi contortions more violent. (A hauled it up to terra-firma again.

ble monster of steel and steam Motor Tour, 246 - 47) There were moments when it which might dash down upon us On occasion the wheels would get looked as though the career of at any moment from around a caught in the frogs of the switches. The the Reo would end there and curve or catch us in its swift car was hastily jacked up, freed, and then in a watery grave. (‘Cross career from behind! Muscles continued on its way. Needless to say, Canada, n.p) were tense, ready for the leap to the spikes on the sides of the rails cut The path finders finally reached a precarious safety at first sight the tires to ribbons. Finally the lonely Kootenay Landing one minute before of an approaching headlight. railway station at Kitchener loomed the scheduled departure of the Crow

As the wheels — one within out of the darkness and it was then Boat for Nelson. According to Wilby

and one outside the track — possible to get on the “government this was the first automobile trip bet crept from sleeper to sleeper, road” to Creston. ween Creston and Kootenay Landing. there was an incessant and infer The motorists’ celebration was At the Nelson City Wharf, a deputa nal jiggling and jolting that shortlived when they soon discovered tion of Nelson’s two automobiles met shook the teeth and vibrated that the “road” was actually a moun Wilby and his crew. That evening the through the spine. The jaw rattl tainous path that precariously climb motorists were entertained at the ed slightly as when a man shivers ed up above the Goat River gorge. Strathcona Hotel by local dignitaries. with cold. One felt as though in Fortunately the canyon was hidden in This gave Wilby the opportunity to speaking there was a danger of darkness or they may never had at discuss with road experts the best route biting the tongue at every at tempted the narrow, winding ascent. from Nelson to the coast. Because of tempt at articulation. On one steep hill of shale rock, the car the difficult terrain west of the city, Time dragged on interminably was stuck three times. Block and tackle it was decided to ship the Reo by flat- as we chased the long triangle of had to be used to slowly pull the vehi car to Castlegar. H.H. Cleugh would

B.C. Historical News 10 accompany Wilby as pilot between Bibliography Castlegar and Rossland. “Across Canada By Automobile By Automobile: over the prairie The next day, October 6, just before Thomas W. Wilby Finds Route For trails . . .“ Travel 20. (March their departure a photograph was Transcontinental Road.” Van 1913):22 - 24,53 - 57. taken in front of the Strathcona. This couver Sun October 15, 1912, 1. Wilby, Thomas W. ‘Cross Canada is the photograph that inspired the “By Motor Car: from ocean to ocean With the “All-Red” Route Reo research for this story. St. in fifty-two days.” New York Catherines?:Reo Sales Company, The rest of the trip to their coastal Times Book Review (April 5, 1914): 1912? destination was relatively uneventful Section 7, 163, col. 1. except for one thrilling section in the Wilby, Thomas W. “Logging Two Fraser River canyon just north of Lyt Collins, Robert. A Great Way To Go: Transcontinental Routes By ton. Again the Reoists were motoring the automobile in Canada. Toron Automobile: notes from the pioneer on rough, meandering roads when to: Ryerson Press, 1969. Chapter 5, circular tour of the United States.” darkness caught up to them. With 57 - 59. Coiier’s48.(February 17, 1912): their big acetylene lamps on they slow “Cross Canadian Rockies.” New 29 - 31. ly crept forward and on two separate York Times September 22, 1912, Wilby, Thomas W. A Motor Tour occasions they came face to face with Section 8, 11, col. 3. Through Canada London: John wagons heading in the opposite direc “Dunlop Tires On Cross-Country Lane, The Bodley Head, 1914. tion. Twice they gingerly backed out Tour.” Vancouver Province Oc onto a jutting ledge to let the wagons tober 16, 1912, 5. Ron Welwood is a Public Services Librarian pass. As if that was not enough, ap Durnford, Hugh, and Baechler, at Selkirk College as well as an avid collec proximately ten miles from Lytton, the tor ofKootenaiana. He authored Nelson’s Glenn. Cars of Canada. Toronto: Architectural Heritage Walking Tour and lamps went out leaving them in total McClelland and Stewart, 1973. Architectural Heritage Motoring Tour darkness! They were of acetylene out Chapter 5, 190 - 200. brochures which collectively won the B. C. gas and because the small oil lamps “From the Atlantic To The Pacific.” Heritage Society’s Annual Award of Distinction for 1987. were mounted too far from the road Cranbrook Herald October 10, their light was too feeble. In despera 1912, 1. tion, Earl Wise took one of the lamps, Guillet, Edwin C. The Story of Cana stretched himself along the outside dian Roads.Toronto: University of fender, held the lamp out close to the Toronto Press, 1966. Chapter 15, ground, and shouted directions to 219 - 224. Haney as they inched their way for ward! This night certainly matched the “Halifax To Vancouver, Arrival At excitement of their Kootenay Cranbrook.” The Prospector Oc experiences. tober 5, 1912, 1. Their long journey, however, was “A Motor Tour Through Canada.” not considered complete until they dip Times Literary Supplement ped the front wheels of the Reo Special (November 27, 1913): 567. into the Pacific Ocean at Alberni, B.C. “Pathfinder Arrives Tonight.” Cran on the west coast of Vancouver Island. brook Herald October 3, 1912, 1. On October 17, 1912 after 4,000 miles “Pathfinder Reaches Vancouver.” of travel, the flask of Atlantic water Nelson Daily News October 15, was ceremoniously emptied into the 1912, 3. Pacific. The Reo Special had lived up “Reaches Nelson On Cross Canada to its builders expectations and, amaz Trip.” Nelson Daily News October ingly, the front right tire was the same 7, 1912, 8. one that had left Halifax fifty-two Taylor, G.W. The Automobile Saga days earlier! The objective of the of British Columbia, 1864 - 1914 Canadian Highway Association was Victoria: Morriss Publishing, 1984. also realized and the importance of having an east-west, “All Red Route” “Transdominion Auto Arrives: uses was demonstrated. The Association tackle to ascend heavy grade.” hoped that this celebrated trip would Creston Review October 11, 1912, inspire the governments to construct 1, 5. a complete transcontinental highway Wilby, Thomas W. “Across Canada by 1917, the fiftieth anniversary of By Automobile: from Halifax to Canadian confederation. Unfortunate Winnipeg . . .“ Travel 20. ly this dream was not fully realized un (February 1913):18 - 20, 52 - 54. til decades later. Wilby, Thomas W. “Across Canada

11 B.C. Historical News

News Historical B.C. 12

2°4. 3 little over of distance a route where as waiter summer for the one offered

of limit

the acceptable within grade Lake, Wapta at ft) 5219 (El. Hector Herald Calgary the ad A in job. want

the

to reduce miles distance 5 about and River, of Yoho mouth the near a ft), for the I in market again was 1919,

adding thereby Mountain Cathedral 4501 (El. Cathedral between ticularly June, in As approached holidays

and

Ogden Mount of massifs into the par grades, excessive to due costs mountains. rugged those beyond

Tunnels” “Spiral the famous boring ly operational and engineering price in was I what wondered explorers,

by 1909-11 remedied were These costs. high a imposed choice this of tages the ear Like near Winnipeg. pit gravel

operational as prohibitive as well ment advan and financial Political 1883-4. a at Birds Hill, probably was before

equip and life loss of accidental for Mountains, Rocky the of crossing seen ever I had ground highest The

notorious and was

Hill” as “Big the CPR’s the for Hector, James (Sir) by of sunrise. tints the by rosy illuminated

known became

grade steepest The 1858 in discovered 5339 ft.), (El. Pass the to West, in grand tains panorama

nel accomodation. Horse Kicking of favor in die cast the see Moun Rocky the could I to school

and person warehouses yards, shops, also 1882, September in Mountains, hill up the climbing winter mornings,

railway for ground level enough was the Selkirk through ft.) 4345 (El. Pass On School. High Heights Crescent

there

where Stephen Mount base of Rogers of choice and discovery The at Grade X in and enrolled to Calgary

at the River Horse of Kicking bank left

lad! prairie a for exciting Field

my parents I with moved harvest After —

the on of summit the miles west route to Tunnels Spiral the through down horses. handling about I learned things

about 10 was located It 1884. area in and Great Divide the over Louise, other Among very grave. still being

the fame, visited who cable Atlantic Lake Banff, Morley, Cochrane, situation World War the First soil,”

trans of (1819-92), W. Field Cyrus through trip a 5-hour about a the of as “soldier — a farm Manitoba

after

Field, and named established June in Saturday last the by CPR, on worked I — mid September till March

was depot a major railway the Field up to I went worked. It Letter. from late year 14. age That of the

of segment critical this To service Night by I so applied attention pile for at in 1918 in School Winnipeg, High

maximum. “acceptable” the the of top the to goes a telegram that at IX Grade Kelvin completed I

a twice over to 4Wo, of grade equates had I learned age tender that at Even 1793. in Ocean, Pacific

feet. This 718 to climb had miles B.C. at Field, YMCA Railway the in the to of Mexico, north mountains, all

cross to was first Mackenzie Alexander

in 1754. in foothills ed Alberta the

Front. River in

reach Henday before Anthony 1750.

Kicking behind;

Horse

the River Missouri

from them

saw B.C., 1919. Mt. Dennis

likely Sons La see Verendrye’s to them. Railway Field, YMCA,

enough far not get did 1690-92, Bay,

Young Hudson from Kelsey Henry

them. beyond be hidden might what

by were intrigued Rocky Mountains

to the see enough far Plains Western

to white penetrate men The first the

Gerry Andrews

MO UN INS TA

BE R YOND UGGED THOSE The scenic amenities surrounding to get enough sleep. Field made it an important base for One day a friendly pusher engineer tourism when Yoho National Park asked me if I would like a ride with was established in 1886. him up through the Spiral Tunnels. He The “Y” at Field in 1919, was hous said I should be near the track about ed in Mount Stephen House, the old ten o’clock, out of sight just beyond CPR hotel, built in the late 1880’s. It the station. I was there and as he pass was an enormous wooden ginger ed, I hopped on the step and climbed bread structure, fronting on the sta up into the cab. The fireman, not tion platform (photo 1). Its coffee much older than I sat on a leather shop, open all hours, catered mainly cushion on the left with his hand on

to railway crews, and to day-coach a fuel control — pretty soft! His pay passengers who could get a quick would be more than twice mine. The cheap snack there. Field was a Divi engineer sat on the right, at the throt sional Point where crews and tle. It was exciting to be carried along locomotives from Calgary and in the bosom of this dragon monster. Revelstoke were changed and coaches In about half an hour we saw the serviced. This took about half an hour. beautiful Yoho Valley on our left and At that time and season there were at then entered the lower spiral tunnel. least six passenger trains each way each Lingering smoke from the front day. Highways were not yet built, so engines was suffocating and I fainted, Takakkaw Camp, Gerry Andrews, builcook, 1919. all through travel was by rail. partly from nervous tension. They I reported to Mr. Rice, the “Y” revived me with a cold air jet and the trail up to the head of Yoho Valley Secretary, and was given a small thought it a big joke. I survived the to see the ice cave and other sights bedroom, one floor up overlooking second tunnel. Then, at a siding near there and back to the camp for a se the station. I was put on night shift in the summit, the lead engine and the cond night. Day 3 was by trail over the coffee shop — 10 pm to 8 am, pusher were detached, allowing the Yoho Pass and down to Emerald Lake seven days a week, pay about $40 per rest of the train to move on east. The Chalet, thence to Field by road. Mr. month, all found. This was nearly two extra engines then hooked LaBelle had the concession to operate twice what I got as a “soldier of the together and returned downgrade to the camp and Brewsters handled soil” in 1918. The seven-day week Field, stopping in the yards past the transport and guides from their depot seemed hardly compatible with station. I thanked my hosts for such a across the Kicking Horse River from “Christian” in YMCA. I soon got into wonderful experience and walked back the station at Field, for which Mr. the routine, if a bit clumsy at first. I to the “Y” and to bed — to dream of Lyal Currie was manager. never became adept at carrying ump space travel in a steam leviathan. The campsite, in a rough meadow teen plates or cups of coffee with one Toward the end of July I became commanded a fine view of Takakkaw arm. disillusioned with the job at the “Y” Falls less than a mile away across the

The clientele on my shift were most — not enough sleep, no days off, valley. There was good forage for ly freight crews, who were sometimes smelly indoor work and poor appetite, horses and a small brook provided ex cranky, being away from their homes but I did not complain. Someone must cellent water. There was a good cook in Calgary or Reveistoke. I stood my have recommended me to Mr. Joe tent, a large dining tent and about ten ground against the bullies but LaBelle who, I think, ran a large boar bedroom tents for overnight guests discovered there were some “good ding house in Field for CPR laborers. and like tents for the staff. A large guys” too. I contrived to eat some I had no contract with the “Y”, so teepee was used for evening campfires. breakfast before going off duty and when LaBelle offered me a job as The cook, Miss Pine, was boss. She

supper after going on at night — but bullcook at the CPR tent camp at was very Scotch, mature, buxom, without much appetite. Often I made Takakkaw Falls up the Yoho Valley, capable and short tempered. But she a bag lunch to eat outdoors. The quiet I accepted and notified Mr. Rice that had a warm heart withal. I have since hour was about 4 am when I could I would quit as of the end of July. learned that good camp cooks are hardly keep my eyes open. But by 8 Takakkaw Camp, ten miles from often cranky — and for good reasons. am I was very wide awake. Instead of Field by wagon road, catered to The waitress-chambermaid, a younger going to bed I had to get out in the tourists. Most were driven there by woman, shared a tent with the cook glorious sun and scenery. There were carriage for a posh lunch at the camp who later confided to me that her easy hikes to beautiful and interesting and returned to Field in the afternoon. tentmate said long prayers at bedtime places. I felt hemmed in by the four More affluent and leisurely guests took and added “I’ve na time ta pray — I nearby mountains, Stephen, Dennis, a 3-day trip by saddle horse with talk ta God while I’m workin”. When Burgess and Field, which cradled the guides. The first day was by trail over annoyed she did, and with lurid elo town. The problem, aggravated by the Burgess and Yoho Passes to overnight quence. Meals served to guests in the noise of trains below my window, was at the camp. The second day featured dining tent were right up to top CPR

13 B.C. Historical News

B.C. News Historical 14

Field through came my father school, saddle old an was there logs, the haul

to back getting about to think had To woodpile. the for dry a tree down

to camp was the close season for and I cut me helped often saw, a crosscut

the just before 3 of September end On other on the Miss Pine, time.

nature! human of spare of interlude our had we supper,

the in lessons rudiments some getting for arrived people the overnight before

was I certainly her thanks. repeated and gone had guests lunch the after

and attitude my appreciated she afternoons, In beautiful. was ment

said came again, she leave, and mount the environ and air fresh of lots was

to my ready age, were son a nearly ed There timetable. own my I arranged

which her includ as a party, Just huff. so supervision no jobs required My

bit a of off in and marched offended 1908. in there fire devastating

She a was living. to tips for take had the remembered and nie, B.C.,

family never my and that work at my for Fer hotel a in cooked had ye”. She

paid said was I declined, I This politely feed ta it requires a and lad growin

$2-tip. a me offered and thanked She y’re say “Tis and portion add extra an

by Miss Pine. directed down, probably she would my plate loading when But

boots came nice clean in lady her Almighty. the to line hot Pine’s Miss

B.C. at Field, based as the usual, when station sparks dishwashing from with blue air was ing. The

summer wonderful more one me give at I was the morning next breakfast fry eggs were the while keep to warm

would Fate 1921, next, after summer by After not me. but the owner, to ed boiler water a large ed on set bacon

the then that know not did I But gary. return were duly boots the could and cook of tray a upset I box, clumsily

Cal from skyline western the ble on I best so the did girl of old the fond boss’s wood the filling while morning

visi mountains rugged these beyond really was I and some grease. rags me One guests. the with direct contact

just

lay what of bit a seen now I had found along and me She kidded kit. no had I tent. at cook ate the and

School. had no I anyway duties and my of one tent own my slept in tidy. I premises

High

Heights at XI Crescent Grade in not was that this protested I cleaned. the keeping and garbage bustible

to enroll time in to got Calgary and them wanted owner The the trail. noncom burying vegetables, peeling

familiar more now scenery through on muddy had got which boots riding dishes, washing water, fetching fires,

train eastbound the hopped and gage, lady’s a me Pine brought Miss tent, all lighting kindling, and ting firewood

bag

my up picked I me. and father cook behind the down supper dishes cut included duties bullcook as My

my

to kindness his for him thanked the was I washing when evening One was needed. cashier

and at Field Currie to Mr. the horse house. on the meal so no Field in prepaid was everything

delivered duly I 19). 18, 17, (Photos a good with hospitality and Pine’s Miss served was No liquor flowers.

surroundings the of views grand by was attracted doubt no and friendly wild with tables the decorating

some

afforded trails high The to Field. was He 10). (Photo falls the of foot the enjoyed women The two cutlery.

by

road

thence and Lake, to Emerald cabin near his in bached Warden who and dishes of array with the full

down and Pass Yoho over up I went

Park Scot, Jock

Tocher, another was

linen day spotless the of standards —

day second The 16). 15, 14, (Photos neighbor Our one 9). (Photo sleep,

way. my find

to how

see to and

what

to getting

trouble no

had I tent lonely Miss Pine, cook and ‘boss’,

Takakaw

Camp.

me told least at or me accompanied to my retired I finally When these.

have may Tocher Jock Valley. Yoho to being invited remember don’t I

of head the to up went I day First yarns. and songs with guests the tain

by trail. sights local see the to days enter to in teepee the a lit fire guides

of a couple allowed was I direct, ing the bedtime before Often ft. 5,000 over

go of Instead there. stables Brewsters’ was elevation frost. The often with

to horse saddle the deliver to told cold, nights and cool were evenings

was I and by road to Field conveyed The tickle them. to temptation the

was baggage my down, shutting was resisted I bed. end his of from the air

camp the when later, two or day A the cold in protruding feet, bare chap’s

13). 11, 12, (Photos a tall remember I asleep. still posedly

it, loved He back. go to had he before sup they were tents while guest the in

sights local see some to time had heaters the all then first stove cook’s

we and house on the also meals derful the lighting early, day began My ly.

won Pine’s Miss of one enjoyed He kind and interesting were Many chat.

lunch. for out coming buggies the of by or to watch strolled guests sionally

one him in ride a for arranged kindly Occa evening. of cool the in wood

Currie Mr. Brewsters’ me. see to day I cut Often trails. nearby on cised

the for stopped and trip business a on exer after and looked I which horse SAANICH INDIAN SETTLEMENT FoM SAiUP.’J and GULF tS I.ATIVE Vll.LAGIS 1842

PROB5L sIT . poScIBLE STt.E 0

LAMGuAGE 8”( — Geoffrey Castle F4lRATIoiJS —*

When Fort Victoria was establish ed in 1843 the Songish Indians, which were part of the Coast Salish native ) LFORP group, inhabited the Saanich penin sula. Their ancestry was a mixture of the two main groupings of people who settled southeastern Vancouver Island. DI5C0V( With the coming of the Hudson’s SD Bay Company activities, they aban jvA’4 doned their villages and lifestyle and virtually disappeared from Saanich. The Sooke-Victoria-Saanich area was settled by 3 separate linguistic groups

of Coast Salish. In addition to the OJ tLiFORHATQJ T, Songish in Saanich, Victoria and Es Fo4 coRpirioj OFDcTRIcr OFSAAJiCi ARf4 yES quimalt, there were Saanich Indians on the Saanich peninsula and the Sooke who lived in the Becher Bay Sooke Basin area. Each dwelling housed a clan, and a marriages and traded with each other By the beginning of the 19th century village like Cadboro Bay consisted of but when Fort Victoria was built, the it was estimated that the total Indian several clans. There the stockade was Songish people abandoned their population in this area was reduced to about 150 feet square and 20 feet high villages and moved closer to the fort. 2,000 following a smallpox epidemic. with about 500 natives. Villages were Around then, they changed their name After fur traders introduced firearms located in bays to provide protection. to Songhees. there was a further decrease in the Though life centered around the sea In 1860, the Songhees relocated in native population as they fought one and its resources, the Indians hunted what is now Victoria West and remain another. Attacks from bands with elk and deer, waterfowl and bear. ed there until 1913 when they moved superior strength caused the Gulf They also grew some crops, the most to the Esquimalt Indian Reserve. To Island and San Juan Island natives to important of which was the bulb of the day, there are no Indian reserves resettle at Saanichton Bay and the camas plant. In summer, the Saanich within Saanich Municipality although Sidney ones moved to Patricia (Union) natives travelled to Point Roberts and there are two in each of Central Bay. The Sooke band moved from the Songish went to San Juan Island Saanich and North Saanich muni Becher Bay to Sooke Basin but by for fishing. Red cedar provided their cipalities. 1850 their population was reduced to clothing (as did dog hides and wool) Geoffrey Castle is the Municipal Archivist for 60. The largest remaining groups were and shelter as well as transportation. the Corporation of the District of Saanich and found in the villages of the Saanich The southeastern Vancouver Island past president of the Victoria section of the B.C. Historical Federation. and the Songish, at Cadboro Bay. bands were inter-related from previous

15 B.C. Historical News A Solar-Lunar Observatory, Montague Harbour, Galiano Island

Les Laronde

There is evidence that Montague Harbour on Galiano Island may be a site of unique astronomical impor tance. It is possible that the way we Figure 1. The synodic sunset.2

measure time — a 365 ¼ day year

divided into twelve months — was first When the right upper edge of the Although there is evidence that a discovered in this Gulf Island setting. sun first sets into the right face of Mt. large population lived at least From the most protected corner of Benson, about May 22 (between the seasonally at Montague Harbour over Montague Harbour, an area with links dashed lines as shown on figure 1), the a very long period of time, just who to primitive man that go back fifty-five moon is in the same phase, e.g. full those people were remains a mystery,5 centuries, it is easy to calculate the moon, as it will be one month later, and it is impossible to say for certain length of the year, the day of the sum at summer solstice. that they or any other coast Salish mer solstice and the movements of the When the entire sun first rolls down could predict the tides. moon. It is probable that man was not and into the right face of the moun We do know that the Cowichan and in the area too long before discover tain, about May 24 (between the dash the Saanich people used to spend late ing its astronomical significance. After ed lines as shown in figure 2), the spring and early summer in the Gulf all, 4800 years ago, seven hundred moon appears in the same group of Islands. These people had a lunar years after man arrived in the Gulf stars where it will be at summer calendar that began at winter solstice.6 Islands, construction of Stonehenge solstice. This method of finding the Some said there were twelve moons to was begun by a people who already solstice is accurate to within twelve the year and some claimed there were possessed a highly developed hours. Finding midsummers day by thirteen.7 The moon is full twelve times knowledge of the movements of the direct observation is not possible in a year but returns to the same place moon.’ because the sun sets in the same place among the stars thirteen times which When we look out to sea from the for three or four days around the time may explain this discrepancy. ancient village site at the southernmost of the solstice. The Cowichans determined the time corner of Montague Harbour, we see The people who lived in the Gulf of winter solstice by going to a certain that hills and forest surround the Islands had a practical reason for place and observing the sun rising in sheltered waters except for one narrow knowing the movements of the moon:• relation to a distant mountain peak. channel to the northwest; the lone the unique local tides respond to those A similar method was used at Bella mountain on the skyline above that movements. The Coast Salish people Coola and at other places along the channel is Mt. Benson, 57 km away on who navigated the inland waters bet B.C. coast to determine the summer Vancouver Island. The spectacular ween Vancouver Island and the solstice.8 sunsets in May down the edge of this mainland of British Columbia lived by All the Coast Salish named con 1019 m mountain can be used to com the tides. They paddled hundreds of stellations so they could have noted the pare the relationship between the miles each year between traditional position of the moon in the stars phases of the moon and the moon’s seasonal settlements gathering food throughout the month.9 position among the stars. and other resources.4 The Montague Harbour site may be

B.C. Historical News 16 We appeal... for donations to build up endow ment funds for two projects under taken by the British Columbia Historical Federation. It has been moved/seconded and carried that the Figure 2. The siderial sunset.3 British Columbia Historical Federation give: 1.) A monetary prize to the win unique in the Americas for fitting the British Columbia Provincial Museum, ner(s) of the annual competition for solar and lunar movements to the 1971), 26. Writers of B.C. History. tides. Although prehistoric obser 5. James C. Haggafty and John H.W. 2.) A scholarship for a student vatories were used from Saskatchewan Sendey, “Test Excavation at the entering fourth year in a British Col Georgeson Bay Site, Gulf of Georgia umbia university to Peru and from California to taking a major in Region, British Columbia,” in Occa British Columbia/Canadian Florida,’0 the Inca were the only In history. sional Papers of the British Columbia The writing Competition Prize Fund dian people known to have timed Museum No. 19 (Victoria, Ministry has seen endowment which will of the Provincial events by the moon’s monthly return Secretary and guarantee a $100 prize Travel Industry, 1976), 10. can be paid to to a position among the stars.” the 1986 winter. This is a beginning. 6. H.G. Barnett, The observatory site at Montague “Culture Element You can make it possible for the B.C. Harbour has not been Distributions: IX Gulf of Georgia yet radio Salish,” in University of California Historical Federation to offer more carbon dated. Helen Point on Mayne Publications in Anthropological than one prize, and attract more en Island, a site six km away at the Records Vol. 1 No. 5 (Berkeley: trants to this competition. western entrance to Active Pass has University of California, 1939), 250. We thank all those who have made been dated back to about 3500 B.C. 7. Ibid., 287. donations to these projects, and urge other and the Pender Canal site on Pender 8. Diamond Jenness, “The Faith of a readers to send a cheque today to: Island has been dated back to about Coast Salish Indian,” in An thropology in British Columbia, The Treasurer — B.C. 3000 B.C.’2 so it is probable that the Historical Memoir No. 3, (Victoria: British Col Federation observatory site is about the same age. umbia Provincial Museum, 1955), 87. P.O. Box 35326 The earliest investigated observatory 9. Barnett, “Culture Element,” 251. Station E site in the Americas, at Izapa, Mex 10. Ray A. Williamson, Living the Sky Vancouver, B.C. V6M 405 ico, was radio-carbon dated to 1500 (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1984), 2. State which project you are suppor B.C.’3 11. Ibid., 15. ting. All donations will be acknowledg This unique site, where the inter 12. Roy L. Carlson, in a speech to the ed with a receipt for tax exemption relationship between the observer and Gulf Islands Branch of the B.C. purposes. the cycles of the sun, the moon, the Historical Federation given at Pender tides and all the life around him can Island, March 5, 1986. so easily be seen, should be scientifical 13. Vincent H. Malmstrom, “Architec ture, Astronomy, and Calendrics in ly investigated and protected for future Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica,” in generations. The remains of one of the Ray A. Williamson, ed. Ar world’s longest lasting villages are now chaeoastronomy in the Americas (Los rapidly washing away. Altos, Calif.: Ballena Press, 1981), 258. Notes

1. Alexander Thom, Megalithic Lunar Observatories (Oxford: Oxford Les Laronde moved to Galiano Island in 1977 University Press, 1971), 115 and lived at the observatory site at Montague 2. The sun sets as indicated by the dash Harbour for almost 8 years. He has travelled ed lines an average synodic month a good deal in Asia and the South Pacific. (29.53 plus/-0.5 days) before summer solstice. 3. The sun sets as indicated by the dash ed lines an average sider in! month (27.32 plus/-O.5 days) before summer solstice. 4. Donald H. Mitchell, “Archaeology of the Gulf of Georgia area, a natural region and its culture types,” in Syesis, 4, Supplement 1 (Victoria:

17 B.C. Historical News

B.C. News Historical 18

to attending Students livestock. haul that appears It the fac two feuding area an PRAIRIE, the on bounded

off-hours used same the in truck was trees. at occurred change One such BIGGAR

as the this of reaction mise teachers the boundary trail the through winding ing to accomodate new landowners.

ed only One excellent sur can service. which was a little more land than Place were names constantly chang

is times, he provid to reported have North Ave.) Bluff (now Road 16th Canadians.

at weather the roads inclement and residence. school The on fronted vided the mail for service many

of the spite vehicle. the of In condition to wilderness adjacent the Biggar U.S. States. United towns border pro

and of the hire for monthly himself had which of cleared been the out to lucrative south the ports mills and in

back, $75 was van verted the paid on use a today) in site to still one-acre and lumber transport commodities

top a and canvas Ford con with truck water on name is (the Prairie Biggar to area interwoven the through

‘23 a who owned Lewis, Wilfred and Road floated Yale the across 49th Spur parallel. lines railroad were

district. Langley Old on located mill the Baumgartner’s the land of stretch that bordered

bus school the recorded the in first built from obtained lumber with Communities were along flourishing

in to transported students Murrayville a 1896, In house school was red the Valley. Fraser

and one the abandoned year, then Columbia. a the livelihood of acres fertile from

of was the used period for structure the in firmly soil lore of and British farmers dustrious busy forging were

short-lived. arrangement new was The the of Clan Cameron of Scotland the in and that River’ Fraser ‘Mighty

road. to ty, The the closer somewhat the the of implanting head namesake City Granite and Fort along Langley

on erected house same was proper the to changed officially thereby Lochiel, demise and like places of Barkerville,

to red the building old

school replace

1888 that Biggar name the and

was rise experienced inhabitants the had —

ed a and one-room by new both parties

Cameron homesteaders Clan in along the Coast, line the the of — that

an was understanding debate, reach the between family and the Biggar couver, and New Victoria Westminster

instead. After new much school a in 1892, that struggle power erupted the developed already Van cities of

a ed suggestion demanded this and at the house. of show These same records as area had Columbia British known

The rayville. balk Lochiel of residents to taught in children the local parlor the find that to their Imagine surprise

those at district Lochiel Mur with day, could lessons that of been have Canada. Coast the of on honey West

the students consolidate the from custom was 1889. in the As homestead land to and of this speculators milk

to chose By school board the 1924, the of Thomas Richard Biggar and many other homesteaders

dryer. to a refer Victoria being school part ing Rockies loggers, settlers, bringing

a as also ideal, clothes it served than of records Department in Education unforgiv the through struggled harsh,

days was when less the those weather Langley portion of Municipality. ed Prairie the across and way vast its

of For heating’. ‘central the comforts east and the west of perimeters that had Railway Canadian clink Pacific

the the supplied room in and center of Road Johnson Townline St.) (216th in begin the after years 1889, four shall

sat the shed from in the back, dwood St.) north, Road Brown the and (240th recorded dates are for we posterity,

cor large A lamp. filled heater, with (0 the Road Old Line to Yale Ave.), a Time’, the since however, Upon

the and coal-burning sun occasional by south International the Boundary story with begin ‘Once could This

was aid the from came provided that

days. the Any early in visual sporadic

school was the the of operation which

determined size enrolment of The

front.

the seated at the feet youngsters on

bare that code era; for adopted dress Purcell Rae

the the picture of feature illustrates

to An secondary. interesting primary

age ranging students from in twelve of

in class a shows Fort Museum Langley

at Centennial the Langley displayed

1900 taken A and in photograph

USE HO arose. teachers retaining

of the the question when community

of members RED and SCHOOL was Cameron one THE — LITTLE

Mr. of which school of the —

trustees the three between wrangling

to be much continued there However,

the ty Biggar by donated family.

situated was on proper School Lochiel

the compromise a as tions reached ______

Langley High School paid $3 per seemed a possible threat and the complex consisted of four classrooms, month for the privilege of riding on schools were instructed to conduct air music room, three administration the tailgate. drills. All pupils had to leave the rooms, a new library and half-gym as In 1937, due to overcrowding in the building and scatter. On weekends, well as the old building. central school, Lochiel was reopened many of the older boys were trained In 1975, arsonists set fire to the and students were transferred from by the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers building after vandalizing the rooms, Glenwood to ensure a full class with to be runners (messengers). and the school was destroyed with the thirty-five to forty pupils in the six In 1950, Lochiel school was moved exception of the half-gym, part of the grades. to a three-acre plot of land on 224th library and the old school which suf Janitorial services which included St., just north of 16th Ave. Two por fered severe smoke and water damage. lighting the fire, carrying wood, fill tables, one trucked in from Langley Heavy snowfall and freezing ing a three gallon tank which was Prairie and the other brought from temperatures prevented firemen from situated in the cloakroom with water Fort Langley, plus an administration using local ponds or ditches for a from the dug well, sweeping and block, separate from the original water supply. dusting the school etc. cost the School building, were added in the fifties. The The local Lochiel Community Club Board $5 per month. outdoor ‘biffies’, no longer in use but have moved the old building to the A favorite game of the day was still on the property, were retired in club property at the corner of 16th Antey-I-Over; played by two teams, 1956. Ave. and 224th St., where it has sat one to each side of the school. The ob With the advent of indoor plumb idle this past decade. Renewed interest ject of the game was to throw the ball ing came frozen pipes, and Lochiel ex in heritage buildings has prompted a over the roof. A missile inadvertently perienced its first fire. A torch being former teacher and student to pursue crashing through the window suspend used to thaw the lines, ignited the this possibility. In the event that the ed further playing for a period of time. tinder-dry wood under the sink. A negotiations now in progress are suc There was a serious aspect in the passing RCMP officer, alerted by the cessful, The Old Red School House lives of the students in these years. alarm, assisted the staff with portable will be restored and situated on the War had broken out in many countries fire equipment and the blaze was Rowlett Farm in Campbell Valley of Europe and Canadians answered extinguished. Park. the call to support England and her In the years 1965 to 1975 enrolment As it was in the beginning, so it shall Allies. Because of the close proximity in the school reached as high as one be in the end. to the coast, the danger of invasion hundred and fifty-six students. The

ARE YOU MOVING? Please let us have your change of address. The list of branches of the B.C.H.F. is found on the inside front cover. If you cannot remain a member of your current historical society or join a new one which is affiliated with the British Columbia Historical Federation, please Scholarship Fund indicate your wish for an individual subscription when your present Help us establish a scholarhsip for a one runs out. 4th year student taking a major or honors course in Canadian history at NAME a B.C. University. All donations are tax deductible. Please send your che que today to: OLD ADDRESS The British Columbia Historical Federation NEW ADDRESS Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 35326 Station E (include Postal Code) Vancouver, B.C. V6M 4G5 Same branch of B.C.H.F. [

New branch of B.C.H.F.: that is — Individual subscription [ I Cancel subscription on expiry [ I

19 B.C. Historical News

20 B.C. News Historical

its and of web life. great of require distribution the which himself.

the for earth passion and reverence ceremonies many of are They leaders at god he his peace and was with

ancient, the lost joined with sonality, spiritual and both are leaders. political at He fearless peace heart. was with

and human for per passion reverence the culture, leaders our laws By our of mind a and wholesome staunch,

ancient, to the is It lost live? power us. poorest ‘chiefs,’ the are calling of a to Indian The aspired own. and clean

is human world, in “What, this our people on insist the whom Anglo those what for and good was wanted their

gredient our leaders, people, among that our they healthy what people. knew They

the not, have in recapture to or lost said be is It as described ‘give-aways.’ They people. and were ud strong

to many left are Not die. have years it best which and feasts can ceremonies py, a singing pro people. were They

again, world the have must lost, lest many of to kinds required hold are hap a was father’s generation “My

it the has What world have They now. our with accordance “In we ways,

has had world “They lost. the what wholesale B.C.) of George slaughter Manuel was animals of occur.

colonists the the did the of arrival at page 1973, time the 1. (President

B.C., Sidney, Gray’s 1967. Publishing, Not to needs. needed until our meet National Ottawa, Indian Brotherhood,

artist, Shaht and Tse author Clutesi, animals were as many as only took Their edition, Environment, revised

George People, Tse-Shaht the of end, this the in people our To future. Aboriginal Canada of and People

Fables Son Raven Deer: of of Son practices

cause

would

suffering which are environment we as our ourselves.”

a as of the to development restraint of Columbia.” region British to make qualified affecting decisions

acts this future. in belief

principle Our

the all coastal throughout prevailed as is that anyone proposition well

of welfare

the into generations seven

This animal meat. an ed practice for do We tand accept not intimately. the

us directs

the think about constantly to

he spot the on kill whenever penance a fragile with unders we environment

a on culture Our

that based is

principle remorse would do show dian and tions cautious and our in relationship

strict

conservation. of practiced forms an that was This In prevalent so life. interests, tradi mindful best our of

of the

We forms overtax

life. other

all and for man ding animal love of to in so do own accord wish our with

to to that rise numbers tion

would

deep a understan resulted “This in economic measure fulfillment, of we

our careful allow to not were

popula

things. living all a great to ‘the tempt ascent’ further

traditions

such were “Our we that sun the there in place that for a was at we nations developing while that

healthy. and were people happy the medium tales of the through taught a We the few. some share of of view

the a

place went one no

hungry,

where

sea. the of young The were creatures not the people, for exclusive pleasure

a a

place

fact, in

where Utopia, of

kind

and life all to the bird man animal, the be for shared of good all common

was, It abounded

game. with meadows

closeness him of the with acquaint and that land the its are resources to

the and its and

forest teemed fish with to particularly insignificant; and and many centuries, always have believed

these, to In herbs.

rivers the addition matter small no all how things, living stood in has them that stead good for

roots, of

variety

and berries, nuts,

of importance the of nature; wonders a seriously of way compromise life

abundance almost

and

unimaginable

the to young the widely many teach reluctant to while or abandon even

an be and

found

hardwoods huge

were tales “Quaint used folklore aboriginal “The Canada, of people

to was a which in It place wealth. was

source a great was of forest That

a a great of “We forest. people were

7. page

York, 1947, New Books, Mentor

on life, Indian non-Indian authority

distinguished Collier, John Hope,

Long The Present, and Past dians,

In American the of Indians Americas:

arts.”

the among as all supreme an and art

their societies dominating philosophy

as

practical institution, and tradition

Quotes Selected

as self-view, and world-view as —

lost has world modern which living

our

Issues: Native

this for have power had “They and

still. have them of it groups tative

and had; represen almost universally

American the Indians what is sion

pas and reverence indivisible “This wealth. As spiritual/political leaders, rights in the Constitution have not yet ed a hand against me, or stolen my they provide a kind of economic con been successful . . . But the federal property, where there was no law to duit. To become a political leader, a government is still committed to this punish either. . . who never fought a

person is required to . be a spiritual goal . .“ One thousand years after battle with white men except on their leader, and to become a spiritual their first contact with Europeans and own ground . . . and oh! how I love leader a person must be extraordinarily five hundred years after Columbus, a people who don’t live for the love generous in terms of material goods.” and 209 years after Captain James of money.” Basic Call to Consciousness: the Cook anchored in Nootka Sound, George Catlin and the Old Frontier: Hau De No Sau Nee Address to the Vancouver Island, aboriginal people A Biography and Picture Gallery of Western World, papers presented to of Canada are in fact the most the Dean of Indian Painters, Harold the Non-Governmental Organizations “distinct society” in the country, but McCracken, Bonanza Books, New of the United Nations in Geneva, not yet officially out of the melting York, 1959. Switzerland, by the Hau De No Sau pot. Nee, the Six Nations Confederacy, the George Catlin understood in the Iroquois, in September, 1977. Edited George Catlin, as portrait painter 1 830s what the World Commission on and published by Akwesasne Notes, and expert cross-cultural listener, Environment and Development is try Mohawk Nation, Via Rooseveltown, became well acquainted with many im ing to tell us late in the 1980s — for New York, U.S.A. 13683, 1978. portant Indian tribes even before or the sake of Our Common Future, we soon after their first contact with what may finally be able to hear the ancient In Strengthening the Canadian he called, “the bustling, busy, talking, and stifi relevant wisdom as more pro Federation, a Government of Canada elated and exultant white man.” His mising than continuing the way we are publication explaining “The Constitu view is worth a second look now, no now going, drifting as Albert Einstein tion Amendment 1987,” the so-called matter how unpopular it was in his warned in 1946 “toward unparalleled Meech Lake Accord, the presence of day, 150 years ago: catastrophe” unless we change our two major language groups is said to “I love a people who have always ways of thinking. be part of what makes Quebec “a made me welcome to the best they had distinct society” within Canada. who are honest without laws, who Selected by Walt Taylor “Historically, it is this linguistic duali have no jails and no poor house. ty that has who made diversity, not ‘the never take the name of God in Walt Taylor has worked as a human develop melting pot,’ a Canadian ideal.” vain. . . who worship God without a ment consultant for a number of Indian On the next page, however, the Bible, and I believe God loves them organizations in B.C. and is active in the Smithers Human Rights Society. report briefly acknowledges that many also . . . who are free from religious

“Attempts to further define aboriginal animosities. . . who have never rais

WRITING COMPETITION The British Columbia Historical Please include name, address and Federation invites submissions of the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal telephone number, the cost of the books or articles for the fifth annual for Historical Writing and a book and an address from where it Competition for Writers of B.C. monetary prize. may be ordered if a reader has to order History. 2) Best anthology. by mail. Deadline for 1987 book sub Any book with historical content missions is January 31, 1988. published 3) Special Award — for an author in 1987 is eligible. The work Articles should be no more than may be or editor of an outstanding a community history, a 2,500 words, substantiated with foot biography, record book. a of a project, in notes if possible, and accompanied by dustry or 4) Best article published organization, or personal in the photographs if available. (Photos will recollections giving British Columbia glimpses of the Historical be returned.) Deadlines for the past. Names, dates News quarterly and places with magazine. quarterly issues are September 1, relevant maps pictures or turn a story All winners will receive considerable December 1, March 1, and June 1. into “history”. publicity, an invitation to the B.C.- Please send articles directly to: The judges are looking for fresh Alberta Historical Conference in The Editor presentations of historical information Banff in May 1988, and a Certificate British Columbia with appropriate illustrations, careful of Merit. Historical News proof reading, an adequate index, Books should be mailed as soon as P.O. Box 5626 Station B table of contents and bibliography. possible after publication to: Victoria, B.C. Winners will be chosen in the follow British Columbia V8R 6S4 ing categories: Historical Federation 1) Best history book by an in c/o Mrs. Naomi Miller dividual writer. Winner receives Box 105 Wasa, B.C. VOB 2K0 21 B.C. Historical News

News Historical B.C. 22

of heritage a Canada bread. one for met 19 Manitoba students senior weeks,

pany introducing is into Fund. 10 For Seniors’ B.C. province each Lottery Pioneer of the in Park centre Lynn

based U.S. assistance the from Horizons The with Roman Meal Com opening November the saw 11th of

October by funded Layman” the 24. New For market for 75 last years.

temples mond Sikh Management and course a the “Museum in Punjabi District Vancouver the over North of

bus tour Vancouver the of an program ambitious was 1987 In and Rich City famous cludes events and the in

in British Columbia, School. House arranged has the and a Montrose the in It history congregation. one of

an MacMifian lesser in degree authority Duncan the history the on the of Sikhs Vice-President. The more is book than

to a at and Church tifacts ment housed Simon the in University Fraser and our Martin’s 1st Church”, now and

Johnston, of head the ar variety a to History local of attention their Depart author Pallant, “The of of History St.

November Our 5. and Dr. president, draw around Park the visitors Hugh October, In speaker our Roy was

tour B.C. guides the of summer escort Museum Sugar Student for Pacific Shipyard Vancouver. in North

cancelled. Works has Program Leonoff Cyril was arranged for a at much was which of Versatile done

Canada the ing the but see Industry completion its Brewing B.C. in the of story actual restoration, of work

Beer: Hundred One of Years 1986 a would grant supposed Organiz that was the Atkinson. Evelyn The was tape

discuss Labels, Union in Boycotts It 1985. a and grant Canada of Works Locomotive by No. introduced 374”,

November, In Elaine by stage Bernard means to will shell its brought was videotape prepared “Friends the by of

History building museum incompleted The through Architectural Style. see very was It interesting the to

entitled survivors. A talk his old at Look transplanted Vancouver to 1887. in Train Passenger Vancouver

and architect heritage advocate, had Office other are Post Craig’s Crossing the C.P. first Transcontinental R.

tee. October For Jim a Bezanon, the and local House School Montrose The brought already the seen that engine

of the Creek Brewery commit urban it). built who ed early the for settler had us of No. Engine 374”. Most

(nam House Charles Christopherson, is chairperson Duncan the MacMillan Steam meeting “The was Story of

as Creek, Brewery be will old years Office Post 100 is Creek presented by subject The 1986 of September, our

September topic, Mount Pleasant buildings. and The number French other of

standard in set previous years. a Our restored and ly obtained, moved

HISTORICAL

SOCIETY

Cyril Leonoff, maintain will the subsequent high a It the had Society home.

NORTH SHORE

arranged gramme, by Park, Craig Vice-President that set-up in was Church

that expect ahead. We when our the not it pro fall 1982, until was 1972,

place in a Plans are good for year in formed Society the was Although

in Parksville. built was United Church

Morag Maclachlan, Secretary

a

Knox new available made when Vancouver Historical Society

project. was Church, which Knox of Heritage

and Spittle John oversee will the the by Society re-location the there was

Hugh MacDonald Johnston, Bruce Heritage Park genesis Craig of The

Donald. committee A composed of building.

Secretary Publicity Trebble Chairperson, Bruce Pat Mac museum modern — incompleted

by done been this on project our end. this one and 5 buildings located heritage

Atlas. to already has Considerable directed work now are efforts our All of which in are Museum a is amount. It

port the a Vancouver publication building. of the museum of completion nominal a for to Society and rented the

sup to executive Our decided has the is priority number one Our tors. Parksville of by City the owned land

sold. bag and direc other Trustees of our tise 1.3 of acres is on Park This located

a exper receive upgrading five of royalty the for cents in every invaluable was Park.

the bread will Society packaging. and The Heritage Park of Craig Curator as Heritage Craig of maintaining the in

and information the about acted on Society Gee also Miss Museum. vincial thrust main its concentrates programs,

VHS crest its permission for carry to Pro B.C. the with Officer Education other of variety a conducts it although

former a The tober. company Gee, approached has Maureen was structor Society, Historical 69 District

British Oc in Columbia follow in The museum-keeping. will of A.B.C.’s

the this was idea. pilot for province to the learn week per afternoon

Society Historical 69 District

Branches the from Reports News and Notes

National Historical Societies Meet FIFTH B.C. STUDIES Goldstream Region Museum B.C. Historical Federation Presi CONFERENCE The Goldstream Region Museum, dent Naomi Miller of Wasa and 697 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria, Secretary T.D. Sale of Nanaimo par The fifth B.C. Studies Conference B.C., V98 2X2 has a number of pro ticipated in the Heritage Canada/Na will be held at Simon Fraser Univer jects underway. The museum is look tional Network of Historical Societies sity, Burnaby, 4-6 November 1988. ing for old-fashioned Christmas meeting at Quebec City September The B.C. Studies Conference is inter recipes for a planned booklet, “Tastes Christmas Past.” The museum has 24 - 27, 1987. The trip was made disciplinary with an historical focus. of possible by a grant from the Heritage The organizers invite proposals for also established an oral history pro Trust. papers that will enhance an understan gram and is looking for volunteers for The meetings began with reports ding of any aspect of British Colum all aspects of the program (inter from Provincial Heritage Societies and bia’s past, current and future develop viewers, transcribers, researchers). The a panel chaired by Mary Liz Bayer of ment. Approximately ten sessions will museum is also seeking volunteers to Victoria. Some delegates were en be held at the conference. Most ses act as host/hostesses at the museum thusiastic about programs and pro sions are made up of two papers on and to serve on various committees. gress; other expressed frustration, a related subject followed by a com If you can help in any way, call the often due to having to deal with mentator’s critical assessment. One museum at 474-6113. various levels of government. The special evening session will also be evening of the first day was highlighted held. by a concert of French and English Suggestions for conference papers heritage tunes by musicians playing old will be considered as they are receiv instruments. ed; the deadline for proposal submis SILVER DART AVIATION On the second day Professor Marc sions is 1 November 1987. Enquiries HISTORY AWARD Leplante and Paul-Louis Martin of and paper proposals should be directed Robin Fisher, Department of Quebec Culture and Recreation Dept. to The Canadian Aviation Historical Fraser University, spoke on “Heritage Tourism.” Both History, Simon Society is very pleased to announce the Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6; B.C. Historical Federation delegates winner of the second Silver Dart Avia Robert A. J. McDonald, Department took the ‘rural’ tour on lie d’Orleans tion History Award, Kyle McIntyre. of History, University of British Col with Wayne Choquette of Cranbrook Kyle McIntyre is a graduate of umbia, Vancouver, V6T 1W5; or as facilitator. This was followed by Queen’s University, Kingston, and is in Peter Baskerville, Department of dinner at a heritage restaurant in Old the second year of a two year Master’s History, University of Victoria, Vic Quebec. course at the Royal Military College, toria, V8W 2Y2. On September 26 the Provincial Kingston, specializing in Canadian Historical Societies met; Ontario, military history. His essay was titled Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C. “The Politics of Air Power: Macken were well represented. Each province The Second Canadian zie King and the Development of an outlined their objectives and describ Autonomous Canadian Air Force, ed their activities. The delegate from Business History Conference 1935 - 1939”. This essay will be printed the Canadian Historical Association in an up-coming Journal of the Cana (an organization for college and uni Includes papers on mining, lumber dian Aviation Historical Society. versity professors) was surprised to ing, industrial development and The Silver Dart Aviation History learn of the variety of projects under business archives in B.C., as well as Award is offered annually by the Cana taken by provincial historical groups. papers on the history of business in dian Aviation Historical Society to summary, while caution prevail In other parts of Canada. Puts the students at technical colleges, aviation over the possibility of setting up a ed development of business in B.C. in a schools and universities. It’s aim is to National Historical Society, the comparative frame. March 3-5, 1988, encourage the research and publication left all delegates better in meetings University of Victoria. For further in of Canadian aviation history. The and provided contact with the formed, formation, please contact: Peter Award consists of a prize of $500 plus academic group national historical Baskerville, Department of History, a trophy. (C.H.A.) University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C., Last year’s winner of the Silver Dart Naomi Miller V8W 2Y2, (604)721-7393. (cont. on page 25)

23 B.C. Historical News

News Historical B.C. 24

Spittle D. John of courtesy Photos

1987 CONVENTION (cont. from page 5) 5. Aboriginal People of Canada and 22. Ibid., Chapter 4, page 20, paragraph A Conspiracy for “Our Common Their Environment, National Indian 74. Brotherhood, Ottawa, Revised Edi 23. Ibid., Chapter 4, page 20, paragraph Future” tion 1973. 75. During the last decade of the Twen 6. Native Rights in Canada, Second 24. Ibid. Chapter 4, page 20, paragraph tieth Century, enlightened, non-Indian Edition, Edited by Peter A. Cumm 77. self-interest may finally open the way ing and Neil H. Mickenberg, The 25. Basic Call to Consciousness, papers for indigenous people to contribute Indian-Eskimo Association of presented to the Non-Governmental Canada in association with General Organizations of the United Nations what the world most needs without Publishing, Toronto, 1972, page 176. in Geneva, Switzerland, by the native people losing the dignity and 7. “Land Claims in B.C.” in the infor Haudenosaunee, the Six Nations worth of their own unique identity. mation poster, “Aboriginal Rights: Confederacy, the Iroquois, in Literally, to conspire is to breathe Legacy of Our Forefathers,” Union September, 1977. Edited and publish together. Conspiring differs fun of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Vancouver, ed by Akwesasne Notes, Mohawk February 9, 1980. Nation, Via Rooseveltown, New damentally from the historical ap 8. Harold Cardinal, The Unjust Society: York, U.S.A., 13683, 1978. Page 96: proach to native concerns, the persis The Tragedy of Canada’s Indians, “Our culture is based on a principle tent but fortunately unsuccessful M.G. Hurtig Publishers, Edmonton, that directs us to constantly think pressure on Indian people to become 1969. Pages 1 and 3. about the welfare of seven genera assimilated. Conspiring is breathing 9. Ibid., page 89. tions into the future.” The same 10. Living Treaties: Lasting Agreements, principle applies throughout many if together; assimilating is one culture Report of the Task Force to Review not all indigenous communities. smothering another. Comprehensive Claims Policy, Mur Enlightened self-interest will lead ray Coolican, Chairman, Department toward sustainable development of Indian Affairs and Northern because the only alternative is Development, Ottawa, December, 1985. Page 5. extinction. 11. “Aboriginal Title Action Against the (cont. from page 23)

“Our Common Future” clearly Province of British Columbia — depends now on cultivating this great Background Papers,” Gitksan conspiracy between the ecological Wet’suwet’en Tribal Council, Aviation History Award, Officer-Cadet knowledge of recent decades and the Hazelton, B.C., October, 1985. Dwayne Lovegrove of College Militaire 12. “The Honour of All,” in Kahtou, aboriginal wisdom of recent millennia. Royal, Saint-Jean, is currently undergo Native Communications Society of ing flight training at CFB Moose Jaw. Instead of concentrating on the bot British Columbia, Volume 4, Number The Canadian Aviation Historical tom line or the next election, ecologists 5, May, 1986, page 17. and other enlightened Canadians will 13. Duu Guusd: Haida Tribal park, Society is now offering the third Silver begin to share the aboriginal sense of poster of the Council of the Haida Dart Aviation History Award for the Nation, Queen Charlotte Islands, responsibility for the well-being of the best original essay on Canadian avia 1987. tion history. Papers must be received by next seven generations of people and “Canada’s 14. Moira Johnston, Queen Chairman March 15, other life on earth.25 Charlotte Islands: Homeland of the the Award by The decisions we make at this turn Haida,” National Geographic, 1988. Further information on the ing point in history will either enhance Volume 172, Number 1, July 1987, Award is available by writing: page 120. Mr. David Neufeld or terminate the opportunities for 15. “Aboriginal Title Action Against the future generations even Chairman, The Silver Dart to be conceiv Province of British Columbia — ed. Their only voice in these decisions Background Papers,” Gitksan Aviation History Award is ours. Wet’suwet’en Tribal council, 111 Buxton Road Endnotes Hazelton, B.C., October, 1985, “The Winnipeg, Manitoba 1. “Answers to Eight Common Con People’s Food,” pages 15 to 24. R3T OH1 cerns about the Gitksan (Same reference as Endnote 11, ex and Aviation Historical Wet’suwet’en Land claim,” a pam cept specific pages.) The Canadian phlet by Smithers Human Rights 16. “The Nishga Position: Some of your Society is a non-profit organization Society, 1987, Box 3595, Smithers, questions with Nishga answers,” dedicated to the preservation of B.C. VOJ 2N0. Nishga Tribal Council, New Aiyansh, Canada’s aviation history. Further B.C., July, 1983. 2. Hugh Brody, Maps and Dreams: In details may be obtained by writing to: dians and the British Columbia Fron 17. Our Common Future by the World tier, Douglas and McIntyre: Van Commission on Environment and Canadian Aviation Historical Society, couver/Toronto 1981. Development, Oxford University National Headquarters, P.O. Box 224, 3. Felix Cohen, “Americanizing the Press, Don Mills, Ontario, April 27, Station “A”, Willowdale, Ontario, White Man” in The American 1987. M2N 5S8. Scholar, 1952. 18. Ibid., Chapter 12, page 32, 4. Walter Taylor, “The Relevance of paragraph 126. the Indian Heritage to the Survival of 19. Ibid., Executive Summary, page 1, Man” in Exploration, Journal of the paragraph 4. British Columbia Social Studies 20. Ibid., Chapter 4, pages 19/20, Teachers’ Association of the B.C. paragraph 70. Teachers’ Federation, Vol. 10, No. 1, 21. Ibid., Chapter 4, page 20, paragraph November, 1969. 71.

25 B.C. Historical News

B.C. 26 Historical News

only practice fact the languished to he and Metis McGeer’s held “deeply refers Outpost contains recollec the

legal his later life; political position explain times at Similarly, them. while in trying as teacher.

appears but uneasy private a drews, in views haunted it that such too his generous fee to young vote, the accepted

school public earned he utterances McGeer’s freight lower for and rates vocate established Gerry and An

discrepancies ad to between notes also provincial tention West. the trader, As took the initiative the having in

too paid (p. at little that arguing Ottawa community. Williams 130) regulated economy.” Jim a Young, fur- local

successful in politician a less was he the for implications “the of prehend fully Cree-speaking children of the

as a com to weaknesses 1923 in his such 920s; 1 the lower failure as rates freight in assisted an school was started

properly Columbia’s were recognizes case won he McGeer’s author for British followed by other families and

a sycophantic a not hagiography. a As was he drinker. heavy fur The trade. lawyer The Belcourts and Gauthiers

the about prohibition, of children. joyed champion A is lives McGeer, this writing of these born people, the of

his to but seemed undoubtedly distant family While River en Williams after settlement white disrupted

the cited. fully sources their Metis were to letters wrote He his affectionate migration the from Red

Alberta. be more if effective would tions even home. from frequently This him took away the was tip western of

as serve many chapter contradictions. of introduc which toons due miles activities His west from Grande Prairie,

quc a a Lake enliven man text. the man and was he time car The photographs man area in British Columbia, sixty

Pierre oratory. the At ingly selection A of same boundless of McGeer’s energy. Gauthier moved into Kelly the

by headed some flavour the of conveys speeches optimism, Narcisse seem and unlimited tion, and Belcourt St.

About of device, re-creating unhistorical 1910 active imagina tempered Metis two an with man families

but manner. The literary, agreeable fighting, hot a was orator, hard

Victoria, clear a in and able an and monetary exceptionally B.C. reform McGeer, 3K5.) V8V

crest (p. subjects ed freight of tially politician.” rates tedious 298) Publications, Fort 1011 St.,

appendices. poten and presents the (Marketed tangled even a sense. a fail was McGeer real “in by

Pen- . .

lus., maps, “Gerry” how ran. documented He bibliography, that concludes Williams rightly index,

PP. has intelligently Williams toria: Hall. City the Yet, new a author, building and 340, 1985, ii

a Jubilee 1923 celebrations organizing to Golden

1925. cabinet. Gerry Andrews, Vic -

Settlement as by minister devices such spirits appoint would or generally him prime Kelly of Lake, B.C.

First so maverick a premier no that Schoolmaster much revived at flagging in strikers the he 1935, Metis

Metis provinces; Outpost: when elected, other was he unemployed to Memoirs the reading Act Riot of the

at and home in campaigner frequent by antagonized labour Although he

a a was politician, department. McGeer reformed As 1930s. police the

he debts the up which and refinance sprouted such Vancouver’s in ideas

were many among Maynard Keynes, to governments and bankers senior

correspondence John with friendly a fought the Mayor term, “Gerry”

Victoria. of University

leading to theories, though monetary (1935 his In first 1947). 36, couver Department, a History the of member is -

Branch, Victoria a the of Roy, member Patricia ahead of Mayor best time; their of plans Van his were as remembered

His and railway he suggests, petroleum fruition. is As title (1945 47). the -

Roy Patricia E.

to came none a

schemes his of book; Senator and (1935 M.P. 34), 45), -

speeches, and articles reform through 1933 as (1916 20, served M.L.A.

- -

historiography. own for ideas monetary his preached McGeer who “Gerry” Grattan Gerald

Columbia to British contribution Alberta of them fields oil development was and Among politicians. ourful

valuable a and volume an entertaining Peace the the and River a to many had British col Columbia railway has

is it Nevertheless, “Gerry” ran. why promoted construction the McGeer of

explore fully does not because it ting comforts. to material enjoy household pp., $24.95 illus.

wan somewhat man, is book, the like store the allowed McGeer department 319 1986. McIntyre, & Douglas

the Thus, effect. their assess roots or at family’s her unlimited Vancouver: credit and Ricardo Williams.

their fathom to attempt makes little a monthly small McGeer. income Spencer, David Grattan had Gerald

(p. he 121) convictions” religious a David wife, Remarkable daughter Mayor of his that The Gerry:

Yandle, 3450 Avenue, 20th West

Vancouver, 1E4. V6S B.C.,

Book Reviews should editor, directly sent be Anne the to review book Bookshelf tions of Andrew’s two years at Kelly B.C.’s educational system from the Puffin Cove; Escape to the Wilderness Lake, journals of two packhorse trips, memoirs of a teacher who built desks of the Queen Charlotte an account of later contacts with Kel for a classroom in a log building which Islands. Neil G. Carey. Sur ly Lake acquaintances, the diary, sup also contained a store/fur trading post rey, Hancock House, 1982. plemented by other records, of a cum living quarters for both Andrews $16.95. young Englishman, John Bennett, and Young. This collection is, as W. Another book of a city couple who died attempting to travel through Kaye Lamb states in the Foreword, “a escaping to an idyllic and remote treasure house of Pine Pass in the winter of 1930 - 1931, little jewel in the island and the problems they en correspondence, genealogies of Kelly history.” counter. Good escape reading for a Lake families, an English-Cree dreamer. vocabulary with comments on the Morag Maclachian. language, many photos and maps as Milestones on Vancouver Island. Ken well as a bibliography and index. This Morag Maclachlan, a member of the Van— Pattison. Victoria, Pattison is a collection of such diverse material couver Historical Society, retired recently from Ventures Ltd., 1986 edition. Department Langara College, it appears to lack the unity the History at that Vancouver. $9.95. necessary in a well structured book. It Very handy to keep when travelling is not a study of the Kelly Lake Metis the Island, even for those of us who community. In spite of all the infor travel there often. Our memory is mation compiled, in spite of his warm refreshed on forgotten points of relations with the children and their interest. parents, Andrews did not get inside Books recently received: that culture. Some of the cor The North Bentinck Arm Route. Lt. respondence, to a large extent replies Palmer’s Trail of 1862. to Christmas greetings, seems irrele Adrian Kershaw & John Spit vant and in some cases information in Timber: history of the Forest Industry tle. Kelowna, Okanagan Col the letters is also contained in the text. in B.C. G.W. Taylor, Van lege, 1981. $6.00. Available But the book does not lack unity. This couver, J.J. Douglas, 1975. from the College. and $6.95 is a book about Gerry Andrews The book is about the retracing of the relates in everything in collection An overview of British Columbia’s the trail in 1979. There is an update Kelly Lake ex some way to his forest industry. It includes logging, on the trail, and maps. A reprint of character, values, his periences. His his sawmills, paper mills, and also touches Lt. Palmer’s report and a copy of his for friendship, his sense of humor, gift on such ancillary industries as the map are included. Excellent interest in his common sense and his making of pallets and machinery for background history for a person who place are all strongly people and woods and mills. wants to know about the early evident. explorers. When his pupils had learned enough The Mackenzie, Yesterday and expanded the school English, Andrews Beyond. Alfred P. Aquilina, Snow Wars; an Illustrated history of reading, writing curriculum beyond North Vancouver, Hancock Rogers Pass Glacier National include history and and arithmetic to House, 1981. $7.95 Park, B.C. Toronto, National “For geography the star geography. While the major portion of the & Provincial Parks Associa was HERE, and for history ting point Mackenzie River is inside Northwest tion of Canada. 1983. $6.00. it was NOW,” declares Andrews (p. Territory boundaries, one of its on the keeping 125). Here, undoubtedly, is the key to An illustrated story tributaries does begin in British Col system the success of this book. It is not sur of the east-west transportation umbia. Several chapters on the Klon Rail buffs will prising that a young teacher who in open during the winter. dike gold rush are included. in removal on the troduced his pupils to geography by be interested snow railways. When the Pass opened to mapping their own locality, who Now You are My Brother; Mis found a place on the time-table to automobile traffic the avalanche con sionaries in British Columbia. trol men of the Canadian Army were learn Cree from the children he taught Margaret Whitehead. Victoria, English, would as an “old timer,” stationed nearby every winter. Photos Provincial Archives, 1981. are shown of this aspect of the Pass’s realize the value of compiling primary $3.00. sources as a basis for writing our history. Reminiscences of Indian agents, history. For the reader, the journals parishioners and children of some mis of difficult trips through the Rockies (cont.) sionaries. An insight into how faith are a sharp reminder of the enormous overcame the privations facing these difficulties of a terrain that we traverse early pioneers. in a matter of hours. We gain some perspective on the development of

27 B.C. Historical News Report from the Branches The Columbia is Coming. Doris Father DeSmet came to the Colum (cont. from page 22) Anderses. Sidney, Gray’s bia Valley and baptized some Indians Publishing, 1982. $9.95. Valley Community. The Lynn Valley including the Morigeau family and A well researched book on the Centennial Cairn was rededicated, and Chief Pierre Kinbasket’s first child. Anglican coast mission boats covering a statue of pioneer, Walter Draycott, Some couples were married also at that the northern and eastern coast of Van was unveiled. Walter died in 1985 at time. Several years later Baptise couver Island and the opposite age 102. He had authored the book, Morigeau (who spoke English) mar mainland. In addition to the mis “Early Days in Lynn Valley.” ried Colette Kinbasket, sister to Chief sionary work the boats were noted for In February 1987, we had a Pierre Kinbasket. When Walter Mo the hospital services to isolated logg videotape presentation about Vic berly hired Pierre to guide him over ing and fishing camps, which are still toria’s past, arranged by Robert the mountains in search of a suitable being carried on today. Brown. pass for the railway, Baptise was his “The Royal City”, by Jack Scott, interpreter, therefore communication Methods of Placer Mining. Garnet a videotape about New Westminster’s was possible between the two parties. Basque. Langley, Mr. Paper history, was the program for our An The old Indians used to say, “Mobly back, 1983. $5.95. nual General Meeting in March. was one of us!” In May, For anyone dreaming of taking a 1987, our subject was The Kinbaskets were good people gold pan and finding a nugget this is “Remembrances of Things Past”. but not all saints. The dark side is il a ‘how to’ and ‘where at’ book. A Roy Pallant persuaded members to tell lustrated by the story of the ailing cx- their good winter-time read and to take with memories of life on the North chief Paul Ignatius who suddenly ap Shore. you when you travel B.C. in the peared doing his own pow wow and summer. The Station Museum in Mahon war dance. The white man gave him Park, North Vancouver, was our some very good medicine. It made him meeting Lost Bonanzas of Western Canada. place in June. We saw a col well. Soon he was begging white men lection T.W. Paterson & Garnet Bas of old signs, and dairy farm for the “good medicine” almost dai ing que. Langley, Sunfire equipment from the days before ly. He died near Athalmer and was the the North Publishers Ltd., 1983. $5.95. Shore lost its early farms. first to be buried in the Shuswap David Grubbe A book for those of us who dream Cemetery near the present day In of finding a lost gold mine or a rob vermere airport. ber’s loot. Eight of the lost caches are Shelagh Dehart learned the information con (cont. from page 6) tained in this article from her grandparents, in B.C. Chief Pierre and Mrs. Marianne Kinbasket. Shelagh and her sisters were second genera Outlaws & Lawmen of Western disappeared with it into one of the tion students at St. Eugene Mission School near Canada. Vol. I & II. Surrey, teepees. Marianne slid off her horse Cranbrook. Fellow classmates and boarders Heritage House Publishing and ran to her husband to ask for help. were Kootenay Indian children from Colum “Surely baby will be killed by these bia Lake, Creston, Tobacco Plains, and the St. Co. Ltd., 1983. Mary’s bands. The author and her Swiss born Short articles by various authors terrible people.” “No fear,” her hus husband Dm0 recently celebrated their Golden about desperados and their captors in band assured her, “they only wished Wedding anniversary. our four western provinces. If you to have a good look at a Shuswap think all the shoot-outs were in the papoose.” American West, these books will On another trip to AkAm Marianne change your mind. Maps and photos saw the pack trains returning from the illustrate these popular paper-backs. buffalo hunt east of the Rockies. “It These are excellent books to persuade was like a bad dream.” Two men were our young people that western badly wounded by the prairie Indians; Canada’s history is not dull. one was scalped and had to wear a cloth on his head for the rest of his life. Peggy Imredy. We are told that before David Thompson came the Indians met Peggy Imredy is Past-President of the Van French scouts now and then. One was couver Historical Society. found sitting by a tree near Golden, suffering from frozen feet. The Kin- baskets took care of him until a party of three whitemen came by on their way to the south country (U.S.A.). The Frenchman was able to travel along with the three.

28 THE BRITSH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL FEDERATION

Honorary Patron: His Honour, the Honourable Robert G. Rogers, Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia Honorary President: Dr. W. Kaye Lamb

Officers

President: Naomi Miller, Box 105, Wasa VOB2K0 422-3594 (res.) 1st Vice President: John D. Spittle, 1241 Mount Crown Rd., North Vancouver V7R 1R9 988-4565 (res.) 2nd Vice President: Myrtle Haslam, 1975 Wessex Rd. Cowichan Bay, VOR 1NO, 748-8397 (res.)

Secretary: T. Don Sale, 262 Juniper St., Nanaimo V9S 1X4 753-2067 (res.) Recording Secretary: Margaret Stoneberg, P.O. Box 687, Princeton VOXiWO 295-3362 (res.) Treasurer: George R. Newell, 27 Seagirt Road, R.R. 1, Sooke, B.C., VOS1NO 642-5072 (res.) Members-at-Large: Dorothy Crosby, 33662 Northcote Cres., Mission, B.C. V2V 5V2 Daphne Sleigh, Box 29, Deroche, B.C., VOM 1GO Past-President: Leonard C. McCann, #2-1430 Maple St., Vancouver V6J 3R9 736-4431 (bus.) Editor R.J.C. Tyrrell, Editor, B.C. Historical News, P.O. Box 5626, Stn. B., Victoria, V8R 6S4. Chairmen of Committees: Historic Trails John D. Spittle & Markers: B.C. Historical News Ann W. Johnston, R.R. 1, Mayne Island, B.C. VON 2J0 539-2888 (res.) Publishing Committee: Lieutenant-Governor’s Award Committee: Naomi Miller Publications Assistance Helen Akrigg, 8 - 2575 Tolmie St., Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4M1 Committee (not 288-8606. involved with B.C. Historical News): Loans are available for publication. Please submit manuscripts to Helen Akrigg. Heritage Cemetaries Committee: John D. Adams, 628 Battery St., Victoria, B.C., V8V 1E5 384-9988 The British Columbia Historical News Second Class Mail P.O. Box 35326, Stn. E. Registration No. 4447 VANCOUVER, B.C. V6M 4G5

ADDRESS LABELHERE

A

JOIN Why not join the British Columbia Historical Federation and receive the British Columbia Historical News regularly? The BCHF is composed of member societies in all parts of the province. By joining your local society you receive not only a subscription to British Columbia Historical News, but the opportunity to participate in a program of talks and field trips, and to meet others interested in British Columbia’s history and the BCHF’s annual convention. For information, contact your local society (address on the inside front cover).... No local society in your area? Perhaps you might think of forming one. For information contact the secretary of the BCHF (address inside back cover).

I