We Are Secwepemc
Who We Are
The Secwepemc people have lived in this territory for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence in fact shows at least nine thousand (9,000) years of occupancy along the lakes and river areas. The remains of pit houses not far from our current reserves leaves us with a picture of the lives of our ancestors.
Our Elders tell us we have lived here since time immemorial. We lived based on an economy of resource extraction, including fishing, hunting, trapping and berry gathering; our ancestors prospered, grew and grew from these lands for thousands of years. The waterways and networks of trails enabled vast travel that was tied to the seasonal cycles. Similarly, we developed intricate social and political systems that remained in place for thousands of years.
Our Story
The oral traditions continue to be passed down from generation to generation through stories, crafts and ways of life. Waves of traders, missionaries, colonial administrators had a significant impact on our traditions and ways of life by influencing and indeed, outlawing many of our ways. Extensive extraction, at first focusing on beaver pelts and wildlife, then on forestry and eventually on minerals, has depleted many of our resources.
In spite of the over extraction, we have persisted and cared for our resources. By mid-19th century, the small pox epidemic and the missionizing of our people, including the taking of many of our children to residential schools, decimated our population. Once the gold rush had begun, an influx of people invaded our territory by the time it ended, farmers had their eyes on our fertile lands. We were not farmers in the sense that the Europeans understood farms and their ways conflicted with our land uses.
Community News
ALIB Youth Music Video Production Announcement
Street Sweeping IR 4 April 2018
Call Expression Finance and Audit Committee April 6 2018
Expression of Interest RE Finance and Audit Committee Deadline March 22 2018
Early Childhood Education Program – ALIB has 3 seats available
Expression of Interest Re Certified Professional Deadline March 12 2018
Level 3 First Aid Program Starts March 2018
Chainsaw Enform Course Start March 2018
AccountingBookkeeping Program Starts March 2018
Secwepemc Language Film Festival application 2018
Call For Submissions ALIB film festival and Book fair 2018_
Expression of Interest Re Catering Services Deadline Feb 19 2018
Be Aware Suspicious Activity Reported Feb 2018
ALIB Greenhouse Use & Management Training
ALIB Community Meetings Dec 4th & Dec 6th 2017
Evacuation Information Notice July 19, 2017
Emergency Preparedness Information
Governance Committee Expression of Interest_June 19 2017
Upcoming Events
Secwepemc Spring Gathering
Secwepemc Spring Gathering April 20 to 23, book accommodations prior to March 10th for special rate.
April 20Coming Home to the Heart Workshops May 25, 26, and 27th
Coming Home to the Heart Workshops May 25, 26, and 27th (note different times per day).
May 25
ALIB ELECTION
Decision of Mr. Justice Fothergill March 13, 2018
Expression of Interest Re Certified Professional Deadline March 12 2018
Shelley Witzky – Council Candidate Profile
Joyce Kenoras – Council Candidate Profile
Steven Teed – Council Candidate Profile
Talitha Wispinski – Council Candidate Profile
Swearing In Ceremony & Signing of Oath March 9 2018
Expression of Interest Re Catering Services Deadline March 2 2018
Expression of Interest Re Certified Professional Deadline Feb 15
General Band Meeting Feb 7 2018 Cancellation
Election Notice Candidates for Council
ALIB Nomination Notice 15 Dec 2017
ALIB Custom Election Regulations 2017
Expression of Interest Re_Electoral Officer
2nd DRAFT Adams Lake Custom Election Regulations for Oct 14 2017 GBM
1st DRAFT Adams Lake Custom Election Regulations Sept 28 2017
Message from Election Committee August 1 2017