Boo Maga November 2021

Boo Maga
Puméke7
November 2021
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - #7

Contents
Traditional Territory & Access
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6
8
10
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Chris Wycotte discusses
the process of
recognising territory
Traditional Territory & Access
Continued.
Remembering WLFN Veterans
Charlie Gilbert recalls
his family members who
served in the Army
Truth & Reconciliation Day
Highlights from our 1st
Annual National Truth
and Reconciliation Day
Staff Member Highlight
Check in with
Caitlin Sellars our
Administrative Assistant
for Social Development
Council Meeting Highlights
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Take a look at what
your Council have been
discussing over the past
month!
Welcome to
the Boo Maga
(puméke7), which
translates to
“drum stick”.
Got an idea or story for
future editions?
Contact us:
shannon.skeels@wlfn.ca
250-296-3507 ext.185
General Inquiries:
lisa.camille@wlfn.ca
250-296-3507 ext.103
Facebook:
Williams Lake First
Nation
www.wlfn.ca
Chief’s Message
Weytk-p,
Whilst I am sitting here writing this
report the weather is gorgeous
outside. We have Fall colours with
a bright shining sun and my heart
is full. During these challenging
times in our community, I would
recommend that we take time for
ourselves. Taking time for yourself
is very important to finding the
balance in our lives and it could
be something as little as going for
a walk, getting out on the land,
and taking in the beauty of the
territory we live in.
Chief and Council had our annual
strategy session last week in
Osoyoos, BC. The discussions
were great and included the
really caught our attention was
the details they’ve included that
holds up their culture and their
people. In our new building
this is something we’re striving
to incorporate, and we’ll really
start to see those features in
the coming weeks, months, and
years at the new administration
building. It was inspiring to see
their building and Council took
note while getting the tour.
This summer was a special one
for our community because we
had the opportunity to fish again. I
hadn’t personally fished our rivers
since 2018 so this was a very
special day for me and the family.
My daughter Milah, sister Shae
vision of our specific claim and
overall goal of self government.
We will be starting our community
information meetings regarding
the specific claim in January
with a referendum scheduled
to take place in March that will
ratify the offer from the Federal
Government. I am looking forward
to those meetings so stay tuned
for the announcements. The
three days we were in Osoyoos,
we also had the opportunity to
get a tour of the Osoyoos Indian
Band administration building
with Chief Clarence Louie. It is
a gorgeous building, but what
Chief Willie Sellars
and girlfriend Lasha caught their first
sockeye salmon, my son was ripping
them out, and my Mom, Denise Tait,
fished for the first time in over 13
years. Driving through the community
this summer it made me extremely
happy seeing the dry sheds going,
gutting stations and smokers – it was
great medicine. Getting out onto the
land and exercising our rights in the
traditional territory are all very key to
our balance as First Nations people.
We also must be thankful for that
opportunity to fish. There were a
number of communities on the Fraser
that didn’t get to fish this summer so
let’s keep that in mind when we’re
harvesting that precious sockeye and
chinook in our rivers.
There is so many things happening
in the community and I could fill an
entire monthly Boo Maga. Please, if
you have any questions, concerns or
are curious with something that I have
failed to mention, feel free to email
me, willie.sellars@wlfn.ca or phone
me, 250-302-1883.
Kukstechem
Me7 Wiksten,
Willie Sellars
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his 1808 journals, Simon Fraser
and Sea, Helen Akrigg provides
Secwepemc and neighbouring
Traditional Territory
provides supporting evidence
that territorial boundaries were
further evidence that expresses
the recognition and respect for
nations, for the most part, was
friendly and all preferred to live
recognized and respected. Laws
traditional boundaries. Akrigg
in peace and harmony. Laws
and Access
and protocols were developed
and strongly adhered to by
Nations and their neighbors. For
writes:
…the Indians were proving friendly
and helpful. This day when they
and protocols were developed
to ensure that nations could
continue to live side by side in a
example, a Secwepemc Chief
entered the Atnah (Secwepemc)
peaceful way. These relationships
guiding Simon Fraser through
country, an old chief agreed to
were solidified by respect and
Secwepemc territory refused to
accompany them as their guide….
recognition of each other’s laws
enter the neighbouring Nation’s
On June 14th there was the first
and jurisdiction. However, the
territory once they reached their
sign of trouble with the Indians.
strength in the relationships
boundary. Simon Fraser writes:
They were now in the territory of
between Nations were established
This being the last village of the
the Lillooets and these angrily told
through protocols, kinship,
Atnah nation (Secwepemc) the
Fraser’s guide, the old Atnah chief,
intermarriages, alliances, peace
Old Chief did not follow us any
that the men he was leading were
treaties, and trade.
further. Having experienced in
not white men but enemies …On
Nonetheless, when one nation
Chris Wycotte, Treaty Manager
him kind attention and much
service I presented him with a
June 15th their faithful guide, the
old chief, left them, having seen
disrespected or violated another
nation’s laws and protocols,
gun, amms. [ammunition], and
them safely into Lillooet territory.
ill feelings arose which could
some other necessary articles;
They continued their way, feeling
eventually lead to tribal wars.
Any process intended to
recognize traditional territory and
aboriginal rights will raise multiple
questions about who has rights
and who has access. These are
not modern-day issue but are
issues that have existed since
time immemorial. While not new,
this has become a serious matter
that needs to be resolved in a
modern way.
Prior to contact, Secwepemc
territory was occupied and
controlled by the Secwepemc
as a distinct people. They were
divided into a separate nation,
independent from others, and
had their own institutions and
laws to govern themselves.
The Secwepemc looked upon
their territories as exclusive to
their Nation with their rightful
jurisdiction over their people,
lands, water, and resources
within their territorial boundaries.
Historical evidence supports
this view and clearly shows that
Indigenous Nations recognized
and respected each other’s
territorial boundaries. This view
was held in 1910 when the
Secwepemc Nation chiefs all
signed a memorial to Sir Wilfrid
Laurier. What was written in
1910 is still the views held by the
Secwepemc Leaders of today. The
words of the 1910 Secwepemc
Chiefs are as follows:
“They found the people of
each tribe supreme in their
own territory, and having
tribal boundaries known and
recognized by all. The country of
each tribe was just the country of
each tribe was just the same as a
very large farm or ranch belonging
to all the people of the tribe from
which they gathered their food
and clothing etc. fish which they
got in plenty for food, grass and
vegetation on which their horses
grazed and the game lived,
and much of which furnished
materials for manufactures,
etc.,…..Thus firewood, water, food,
clothing, and all necessaries of life
were obtained in abundance from
the lands of each tribe and all the
people had equal rights to access
to everything they required”.
These views are further supported
by other historical evidence. In
and to his brother I gave a Poniard
(Lamb: pp. 125-6).
Further, the following day, the
Secwepemc knew that Fraser
would be leaving their territory.
They expressed their regret and
asked Fraser to return to their
country as soon as he could. He
writes:
This morning after repairing
the canoes we took our leave
of the Indians at 6. The Atnahs
(Secwepemc) are good people.
They expressed their regret at
our departure and begged that
we would return to their country
as soon as possible to reside
among them as traders. This I in a
manner promised (Lamb: p.126).
In the British Columbia Chronicles
1778 – 1846: Adventures by Land
curiously vulnerable and insecure
without him as their conductor.
Three days later they met their
first Thompson Indians and were
fortunate to find another friend
in the Thompson chief, who went
ahead to prepare a welcome for
them (p.128).
The relationship between the
For example, according to James
Teit, in 1785, a group from the
Sekannai nation encroached on
Secwepemc territory and when
they showed no sign of leaving the
Secwepemc formed a war-party
and drove them out. Teit writes:
A band of Sekannai took
possession of a salmon fishery at
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the headwaters of the Fraser River
about 1785. They held the place for
several years until they were driven
out by a large war-party of Shuswap
who killed a great many of them (Teit
p.524).
Secwepemc oral history highlights
how those Intertribal wars were the
result of disrespect and violations
of laws, protocols, and invasion of
territory. The Fraser Division’s oral
history tells many stories of warfare,
and demonstrates that the wars were
the result of other nations invading
Secwepemc territory or causing harm
to the Secwepemc. The Secwepemc
would go to any length to avenge the
harms caused including traveling for
days and great distances, Teit writes:
It was in the middle of winter, and
the Cree had a long start: therefore,
the Shuswap knew they would have
to follow many days, and travel very
far, before they could overtake them.
Accordingly, they carried several light
packs of dried salmon for food. The
Cree were travelling very fast, and the
Shuswap did not seem to gain on them
much. The food they had taken with
them soon gave out, and now they had
to live on what game they happened
to get, and on the beaver-meat which
their enemies left behind them. The
Shuswap persevered, however, as the
pace of the Cree slackened, owing to
their having to hunt beaver for food,
and to their sense of security as they
neared their own country. They were
evidently successful in their beaverhunting,
and carried little or nothing
with them, for at each of their camps
they left a great deal of beavermeat
behind. This helped their
pursuers, as it gave them almost
sufficient supply for their wants
and made it unnecessary for
them to spend time searching for
food. They were now in the Rocky
Mountains, near the Cree country,
when at last the Shuswap caught
up with them.
The Cree had 70 warriors in their
party, and all but 3 Cree warriors
were killed.
Discontent over violation of laws
and protocols continued into
modern times. For example,
in a letter on March 30, 1916,
written by the Provincial Game
Warden, W.H. Hadley, the Warden
explains that he has encountered
Secwepemc hunters in the
Empire Valley and Groundhog
Mountains west of the Fraser
River. The Secwepemc were not
happy with the Chilcotin coming
into Secwepemc territory to hunt.
W. H. Hadley writes:
I went to the Empire Valley on
the 28th and I found two or three
outfits there which I already had
looked over. They did not have
much meat there. So I went back
to Gang Ranch and left there
the 29th for the Ground Hog
Mountains through Williams
Meadows. It was a very hard trip
up the mountains but I got there
and located Indians from Dog
Creek which I already looked at.
They were getting good hunting
then but no does at that time.
There are quite a few Indians
coming down and they all know
that a Warden is around here.
…I have stopped and looked
at about 20 batches of Indians
from the Chilcotins and Stoneys,
Dog Creek Shuswaps, and Canoe
Creeks & Alkali Lake Indians. And
this is there[sic] hunting grounds
in the fall and spring and the
Indians down in these districts
do not like the Chilcotins coming
down here at all. They come after
me to stop them. Of course, I tell
them I cannot do that (Provincial
Game Warden: 1916).
James Teit provides similar
evidence in his Jesup North Pacific
Expedition, Teit writes:
South of the Chilcotin River, the
Chilcotin continue to encroach
on the territory of the Shuswap,
although they do not claim to own
it, and now often hunt insight of
the Fraser River. The Shuswap
harbor considerable ill-feelings
against these Chilcotin Hunting
parties, who are looked upon as
poachers who, after destroying
most of the game in their own
country, now seek to ruin the
Shuswap hunting-grounds as well
(p. 462) ….
It is very likely that they envied
the Shuswap their possession of
the Fraser River, for they began
to occupy it as soon as it was
safe to do so, after the extinction
of the Shuswap inhabitants of
that region and the introduction
of white man’s laws, which
recognized no tribal boundaries,
and precluded the possibility of
war and retaliation, p.467.
Since the arrival of the Europeans,
their policy of not recognizing
tribal boundaries or jurisdiction
and the imposition of white laws
meant that the Secwepemc
or any other Nation could no
longer retaliate to protect their
territories. There has since been,
and continues to be, long policy of
the Crown exploiting the colonially
imposed divisions amongst First
Nations, in particular boundary
issues generally referred to as
shared territories or overlaps.
This includes how the Crown
uses territorial boundary issues
to delay or avoid establishing
proper relations; justify avoiding
obligations to consult and
accommodate or complete
agreements and understandings;
and to support outcomes with
First Nations that may infringe on
the rights of others.
Shared territories and overlaps
are false narratives created by
self-interest to justify the denial
of Aboriginal Title and Rights of
First Nations. Aboriginal Title, as
confirmed by the Supreme Court
of Canada in decisions such as
Delgamuukw and Tsilhqot’in
Nation, extends to large areas,
carries with it jurisdictional
authorities and the necessity to
meet the standard of consent,
and includes the Titleholder
having the full beneficial interests
in their lands and resources.
Moving forward, First Nations
need to consider going back
to their old ways of resolving
ongoing disputes between
Nations, including those related
to traditional boundaries. To
accomplish this, First Nations
must recognize and respect the
laws and jurisdiction over territory
once held by each Nation. They
need to re-establish pre-contact
protocols and relationships that
allowed us to live side by side in
relative harmony for generations.
It is also essential that the Crown is
not excused for the role it played
in creating boundary disputes.
The Crown is morally, if not legally,
obligated to do their part in finding
an acceptable solution to these
issues.
In conclusion, I believe the evidence
provided in the historical records
strongly supports the Secwepemc
views that their territory is
exclusive to the Secwepemc with
laws and jurisdictional authorities
to manage its people, lands,
water, and resources within their
territorial boundaries. Secwepemc
sovereignty over their territory
was unilaterally severed by the
imposition of foreign laws and
jurisdictions. This is an issue
that is a serious impediment to
reconciliation. In modern times,
we must find a way to resolve the
issue for the good of Indigenous
Nations. I believe the best way to
accomplish this is to re-establish
and hold up Secwepemc laws and
rebuild the relationships we once
had with our neighbours.
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him around the reserve and in
the outlying areas in the Cariboo.
We would go out together and
camp whilst we hunted our game,
whether it be summer, winter or
fall.”
“We talked a lot about different
things, but he never really spoke
much about what he did over in
Europe. Uncle Charles was no
different – the only thing he told
me was that he was a sniper.”
We are looking forward to
celebrating our veterans again this
memorial day with a ceremony by
the cenotaph.
Charlie Gilbert stood outside the new Administration Building
Remembering WLFN
Veterans
“Charles went to England Christopher from Soda Creek was
around 1944,” said Charlie, “I also a veteran. He volunteered in
was just a little boy when he both World War 1 and also went
As November makes its left.”
over and served again in World
appearance, we like to take this
time to remember our veterans,
especially those from Williams
Lake First Nation.
Charlie Gilbert was born in Sugar
Cane in 1938. He knew a great deal
of native veterans from various
reserves around the Cariboo,
such as Soda Creek, Alkali, Dog
Creek, Canoe Creek and Canim
Lake.
Charlie had two uncles who were
veterans, Charles Gilbert and
George Gilbert.
“There was quite a few from
Sugar Cane that went over to
Europe. One of them didn’t
come back.”
Charlie describes watching the
army convoys that would travel
from Alaska go past Sugar
Cane as a young boy.
“I remember watching them for
hours and seeing the clouds of
dust rising up as they passed.
All the soldiers would wave at
me.”
Charlie’s father-in-law, Peter
War 2.
“My auntie Jane also married a
veteran, I called him Uncle Jim
Wycotte.”
Charlie remembers the time spent
with his Uncle, George Gilbert,
who traveled all the way to Berlin
whilst in the armed forces.
“I was going to school at the
Mission when he came home,”
says Charlie.
“Uncle George was a great hunter
and an excellent shot. I was able
to spend a lot of time hunting with
George Gilbert with his wife, Agatha
8 BOO MAGA - NOVEMBER 2021 Thank you to Rick Gilbert for the use of these pictures.
BOO MAGA - NOVEMBER 2021 9

National Truth and
Reconciliation Day
Williams Lake First Nation hosted
a celebration for the first ever
National Truth and Reconciliation
Day on September 29th. The
vehicle procession, which began
at St. Joseph’s Mission School
could be seen weaving it’s way
through the valley, out through
Sugar Cane, before finally crossing
the highway and heading up to
the arbor.
The arbor was a sea of orange,
with hundreds of people turning
out to show their support and
honor victims of residential
schools. Cultural Coordinator,
David Archie brushed off those
who wanted it with sage whilst
others sat and listened to Chief
Willie Sellars address the crowd.
“Residential School is not
something I had to live through
myself, but it was only a
generation ago that we did,” he
said. “We could feel the emotion,
hurt and trauma and to see the
great turnout today, it just fills
your heart and it continues to fill
your heart the more that we come
into nekw7usem and to unity and
we stand together side-by-side.”
The opening prayer was led
by elder Jean William in both
Secwépemc and English.
The drumming circle, performing
the Honour Song commenced at
2:15pm, as did multiple others
across Canada. This initiative was
led by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir
who encouraged the world to
drum for the children.
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Staff
Member
Staff Birthdays
and Anniversaries
Highlight:
Caitlin Sellars
Q: What is your role at WLFN & what are your
job duties?
A: I am the Administrative Assistant, for the
Social Development Department. I answer
phones, run errands, file, and am in charge of
making sure that our Social Assistance Clients
get their benefits each month. I also sit in on
some meetings and take minutes when I can.
Q: What does a regular work day look like for
you?
A: Everyday is usually different for me. Sometimes
I will be at my desk all day working on paperwork
or answering the phones, others, I will be out
in the community. Our Department consists
of Recreation, Elders and Health, so anytime I
can help out with them I will, and sometimes if
I’m lucky I get to do some of the fun things, like
during the summer I went medicine picking with
Health.
Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: The best part about my job is that I’m much
more involved in my community than I have ever
been. I see many people a day and I find some
of the work I do to be extra rewarding as it helps
them with their day to day life.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your
A: The most challenging aspect of my job would
probably be the pandemic situation. I love interacting
with people and it has been a tough year.
Q: Do you have any stories from your time working
here?
A: Bewteen bingos, field trips, and Halloween events
with the kids, I have many stories! I think if I were
to choose one it would have to be the Drive-thru
Carnival that we held in the summer. It’s always fun
watching the Chief get dunked!
Q: If you didn’t work here, what career do you think
you’d be in?
A: I’ve always loved to help people and be involved,
so honestly I would probably be in something similar.
Q: What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
A: Earl Grey Tea!
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: It depends on what time of the year it is. In
summer you can find me at McLeese lake cooling
off and in the winter time, I go snowboarding on the
weekends.
Q: If you could be any fictional character, who would
it be?
A: I’ve loved Sailor moon ever since I was a child, so
that would definatly be my first choice.
Q: Do you have a message for the community?
John Walker
2nd Anniversary
Aaron Mannella
2nd Anniversary
Maggie Berns
7th Anniversary
Norma Sure
7th Anniversary
job?
A: Love yourself and who you are!
Judy Alphonse
Cassie Westergaard
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
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Council Meeting Highlights
November
The October 6th WLFN Open House was a huge success. The
presentations by all the departments were fantastic.
The turnout for Orange Shirt Day impressed the council.
At the entrance to Scout Island, a Secwepemc
culture information sign will be installed.
Council toured the WLFN Admin building, Sugar Cane Community, Unity
Cannabis, and Sugar Cane Cannabis with the Staff from Northern Development
Initiative Trust.
A premiere for WLFN Members at Paradise Theatre for a showing
of “Portraits from a Fire” was approved by Council and the event
was a huge sucess.
Clear Sky Consulting completed a WLFN Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessment that Council has
approved, and WLFN will move forward with a WLFN Emergency Plan.
The Williams Lake government building at 640 Borland St. is installing
Secwepemc signage. There will be a ceremony once it is completed.
Council Members participated in a 2-day WLFN
Council strategy session in Osoyoos.
St. Joseph Mission
Investigation Updates
GeoScan has been working on
site, in some of the hayfield areas
to gather more data related to
GPR and magnetometry. Crews
from Borland Creek Logging have
been hard at work removing the
long grass from any areas they
are working on, before it becomes
too wet to work.
WLFN is working to finalise a date
to deliver the preliminary results
of the geophysical work. That
date is still being discussed as the
GeoScan team continue to assess
the SJM site but, we are hoping to
foreshore of Yellow Lake, as
shown in the picture above.
The Terrestrial LiDAR processing
be implementing regular healing
and support groups as we realise
not everyone prefers one-on-one
be able to provide a tentative date is now complete. Terrestrial sessions.
by the beginning of November.
The current study area for SJM has
been expanded from the original
proposal, which was initially 460
hectares. This area includes large
LiDAR is a scan which creates a
3D image of building structures.
This will enable the WLFN team to
create 3D models of the SJM site,
with accompanying photos.
We are also introducing a trauma
training workshop for Community,
Chief, Council and staff members
at WLFN. The sessions will be
conducted with Patricia Vickers,
portions of the valley however, as On a more personal note, and centre around mental health.
the survivor interviews progress,
it has become apparent that we
also need to focus our search on
areas outside of that boundary.
The study area has now been
Williams Lake First Nation is still
heavily focused on improving
health and wellness supports
for community members, amidst
the SJM investigation. In addition
Dave Archie will also be helping to
organise more cultural wellness
activities, related to connection
with the land, with culture and with
one another, such as a hunting
extended to encompass the to our weekly clinicians, we will camp or medicine picking.
14 BOO MAGA - NOVEMBER 2021
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NOVEMBER
2021
Council Meeting
Memorial Day
Council Meeting
Council Meeting
Stay up to date on all of our events by following our
Facebook page: Williams Lake First Nation
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Photo by: Patrick Randolla