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
Media Release – No Truth & Reconciliation in Chase September 21, 2023.pdf
September 2023 – Cultural Calendar.pdf
Matriarch Resistance Exchanging Knowledge-2.png
Diaper Drive Poster – Made with PosterMyWall.jpg
ALIB _Primary Care State of Emergency Sept 12 2023.pdf
Energy Healing with Bailey Hunter Sept 25 – 26.png
One on One with Dianne Tharpe Oct 18-19.png
Haney Heritage Unveiling Fundraiser.png
Chase ALIB Youth Calendar .jpg
GBM-Notice to Membership Sept 6, 2023.pdf
IR 1 3 Rescind Order notice Sept 6 2023.pdf
ALIB BCR#038- IR#13 Rescind Evacuation.docx (003).pdf
Fall Prevention Exercisses POSTPONED.png
2023-09-01_Rescinded Evacuation Order _IR5 _.pdf
Supports Available 24 hrs day & Cultural Supports.jpg
Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Health Supports Services.jpg
Mental Wellness & Counselling Program.jpg
Interior Region 24 HR Wellness Supports.jpg
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Supports Program.jpg
Indian Day Schools Health Supports Program.jpg
ALIB-BCR#036-Recind of Evacuation Order for portion of ALIB IR#4.docx.pdf
ALIB_Community Brief_08212023 (final).pdf
Chase BC Medical Update Aug 21 2023 .jpeg
2023-08-_Emergency Order_IR 5_.pdf
2023-08-_Emergency Order_IR 4.pdf
ALIB School Bus Registration 2023 2024.pdf
Elders Chair Workout poster.pdf
Head Start Registration poster 2023.jpg
Welcome Home Ceremony 0818.png
ALIB-Briefing-Note-Wildfire Situation Aug 8 2023.pdf
2023-08-07_Evacuation Alert Squaam_IR_2.pdf
Update alib sign removal aug 23(2).pdf
2023-08-02_Evacuation Order IR1 Notice.pdf
2023-08-01_Evacuation Alert Update_IR_1.pdf
ALIB Community Safety Focus Groups Poster Aug 2nd 3rd.png
2023-07-20_Evacuation Alert_IR_1.pdf
Socio-Ec Survey Poster For Off Reserve Members Option 2.pdf
Stay Engaged Calendar
Postponed Truth Reconciliation Day Oct 2
Postponed Truth and Reconciliation Day Mon Oct 2 2023 at noon.pdf
October 2Head Start afterschool Kids Club Mon and Tues
Head Start Kids Club afterschool Mon and Tues Start Oct 2 .pdf
October 2Men’s Group Golf Chase Oct 4
2023 Oct 4 Mens Golf.pdf
October 4Parent and Tot Group Oct 6 and 20, 2023
Parent and Tot Group Oct 6 and 20 2023.pdf
October 6ALIB Community Grandmothers Circle
Revised ALIB Community Grandmother Circle second Thurs month Chase and Salmon Arm .pdf
October 12Diaper Delivery Oct 12, 2023 Register by Oct 10
Diaper Drive Oct 12 register by Oct 10.pdf
October 12