The “People of Pukaist”, a group of volunteers who want to work to control and develop their territory for future generations and allow people—especially youth—to be connected to the land, invites everyone to the opening of their Ashcroft office on June 21 (Aboriginal Day).
The group is building on the work started by the Pukaist Redevelopment Society in 1995. The Pukaist territory is along the Thompson River and into the Highland Valley, approximately halfway between Spences Bridge and Ashcroft.
The redevelopment society had several objectives, including continuing to research and document the ownership and use of the traditional territory of Pukaist; developing a membership code to define the people and their descendants who hold the aboriginal rights and title to the land; providing services and support to the membership; and planning and constructing a building for the government of Pukaist.
Honey Minnabarriet says that the new group of volunteers began meeting in January 2016 at the River Inn, but recently moved into space adjacent to the Aboriginal Skills Employment and Training Services (ASETS) office at 411 Brink Street in Ashcroft. “Ashcroft is actually closer to Spatsum [part of the Pukaist territory] than Spences Bridge is,” she notes.
The group hopes to be able to provide clinics and events for children and youth, as well as focus on elders. “We’d like to get speakers in and have tours of the area and hunting camps, so that we can bring in other kids and teach them to be connected to the land,” says Amanda Billy. “It changes their self-esteem. The goal is to help our people.”
Pukaist means “white stone” in the Nlaka’pamux language. The rock overlooks the old village of Pukaist on the east bank of the Thompson River, and is a sacred place to the Nlaka’pamux. Their Indian doctors would climb the rock, where they would fast and pray to receive their visions and powers.
Development has had a major impact on Pukaist. Construction of the CPR in the 1880s meant that a number of bodies that had been buried in traditional fashion had to be reburied, then moved again several years later, when CP straightened a curve in the track, causing erosion of the new gravesite.
Construction of the Highland Valley Mine caused the destruction of two of the four reserves in Highland Valley, which has been part of the Pukaist territory since time immemorial. The Chilthmux and Quiltanon reserves were sold by the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band, and have been dug out for the main pit and covered by overburden.
Minnabarriet says the opening on June 21 will allow people to learn about the history of Pukaist, the elders who have passed on, and the group. There will be a meet-and-greet and refreshments.
“We want to bring our culture back. We want to bring back our First Nations Heritage and promote a healing culture. It’s baby steps right now, but our goal is to help our people.”
