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
Fire Prohibitions Effective 12 noon June 12 in Kamloops Fire Centre Info Bulletin
Construction Liaison Posting May 2019
Kamloopa Pow Wow Volunteers Needed Deadline July 19 2019
Basic Security Traning Course Kamloops Registration Deadline June 14 2019
Summer Day Camps Primary Reading Math July 2 to 19 2019
CC Terms of Reference Committee Meeting June 25 2019 ALRCC
ALRCC Fitness Room Notice May 2019
Express Interest Re Cater Deadline June 7 2019
Express Interest for Committee members for ALIB Policies Deadline June 14 2019
Waterline Labourers Notice May 2019
National Elders Gathering Notice Policy Application RSVP by June 8 2019
2019-04-30 Press Release -Federal Court Judge tells Canada to walk the walk on reconciliation
Indig. Tourism Ambassador Program May 6 to Aug 23 Tk’emlups te Secwepemc
Express Interest Re Catering Deadline May 3 2019 for June 3 to 5 event
Express Interest Re Cater Deadline May 3 2019 for June 19 event
Seeking Childcare Workers for Prof Dev Wrkshp Kamloops Appl. deadline May 3 2019
Upcoming Choices Seminars in 2019 (ALIB payment of registr. opportunity)
ALIB Housing Draw Prize Opportunities for Renters 2019
Upcoming Events
Summer Day Camp Primary Reading & Math July 2 to July 19, 2019
Summer Day Camps Primary Reading Math July 2 to 19 2019
July 2Mobile Mammography July 4-6, 2019 Chase Curling Club
Mobile Mammography Chase Curling Club July 4-6 2019
July 4Honouring the Elders Charity Golf Tournament Aug 23 deadline or until sold out
Charity Golf Tournament August 23 Registration deadline Aug 6 or until sold out
August 23
ALIB ELECTION
Communique Chief’s Message June 26 2018
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