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
PSE notice of funds 2023-24.pdf
Funeral Notice for Thunder Dwayne Dennis.jpg
ALIB C & C 2022 Year in Review
Notice for firewood Request 2022.pdf
Covid Relief Notice October 2022 final.pdf
ALIB TELPAY FORM Feb 2022 final.pdf
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Caregiver Application 2021.pdf
Status Card Rates_starting July 1 2022.pdf
Access Pro Bono_free legal help for low income clients in BC June 2022.pdf
Notifying Death of FN Family Member for Membership List
Stay Engaged Calendar
ALIB Bus Notice for Feb 6-10
ALIB Bus notice Feb 2023.pdf
February 6 - February 10Stsmemelt Technical mtg
Stsmemelt TECHNICAL monthly meeting poster 013123.png
February 9Grief and Loss Workshop
Grief and Loss Workshop.jpeg
February 12Fist Nations Drinking Water Settlement Info Session
National Water Settlement.pdf
February 17ALIB Community Engagement
ALIB Engagement Poster (1).png
February 18ALIB Elders Fundraising BINGO
ALIB Elders Fundraising BINGO.pdf
March 5
Annual Report 2021- 2022
Orange Shirt Day
Cliff Arnouse Truth and Reconciliation Q&A
Cliff Arnouse Changes to ALIB Past, Present, Future
Cliff Arnouse Changing of Seasons
Norma Manuel Truth and Reconciliation Q&A
ALIB Orange Shirt Day Sept 30 What You Can Do Ideas
FNHA Mental Health Wellness Support Lines