Ancestral Remains Unearthed During Highway Expansion
2009
Work was halted on a highway expansion project 5km outside of Pritchard, BC the first week of April as a result of the uncovering of ancestral remains believed to belong to the Secwepemc people who originally inhabited the area. After discussions held at the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council’s (SNTC) monthly Chiefs’ Meeting it was unanimously agreed that the remains not be removed from the site.
Artifacts found at the site include an antler root digging tool, a clam shell, a tool for fish net building, and several arrowheads, along with human remains. The highway expansion project, part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway initiative, involves the addition of two lanes to either side of the roadway which will run through designated sensitive areas of archeological significance to First Nations people.
“The Neskonlith Indian Band has been severely impacted by these developments,” says Chief Judy Wilson. “Our people have a clear message that we will not be continually displaced from the land, and have our access to our rivers, and our resources restricted. The highway and railway did not adequately consult nor compensate our people for any of these infringements.”
“The desecration of our ancestral sites, culture and values has to stop,” adds Chief Nelson Leon of Adams Lake Indian Band. “The Federal and Provincial governments have justified these actions through economic progress, while maintaining impoverished conditions in Aboriginal communities. The Secwepemc leaders will not lead our people into another hundred years of denial, injustice and poverty.”
A sunrise reburial ceremony took place Friday April 3rd, 2009 at 6:00 am according to custom. Secwepemc people from all facets of life came together to participate in this significant ceremony which concluded with a feast at the Adams Lake Band Gym.
Newly elected chair of the SNTC, Chief Wayne Christian of Splatsin notes, “The reburial of our ancestor is about bringing our people together, for a collective voice in a unified approach that stands up for our laws and our people for decisions concerning our territory.”
The chiefs of the SNTC expressed hope that the actions taken to protect the remains and the burial site will set an important precedent for the inevitable disruption of future sites in the name of progress not only for the First Nations involved in the matter, but also with those dealing with First Nations and their territory.
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