First Nations are uniquely tied to the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges, through past hunting & gathering and their collaboration with guide outfitters today.
The Whole Story…
The First Nations have a rich history and heritage in the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges. Their story is interwoven with the unique landscapes and changing seasons of these mountains. For the past 10 000 years, and possibly thousands of years before that, First Nations lived off the land by hunting and gathering. As more people journeyed to the region in the 1900’s, the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges began to accommodate a greater range of activities. Wilderness tourism operator owner, Kevan Bracewell leads guests along the same trails that First Nations once used during their time of hunting and gathering in the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges.
The area that is now designated as the South Chilcotin Mountain Provincial Park originally fell within the territory of the Tsilhqot’in, St’at’imc, and Secwepemc Nations. These First Nations provided for their families and communities through hunting and gathering. As the land transformed with the changing seasons, the First Nations mirrored the migratory patterns of native wildlife as they moved throughout the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges. For the First Nations, hunting was integral to their survival. Their hunting activities, however, showed a deep reverence for the animals. After every successful hunting trip, the First Nations were disciplined in using every part of the animal, including the meat, fat, fur, and hides. The First Nations utilized many hunting sites throughout the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges, including Eldorado Mountain, Dash Hill, and Teepee Mountain. Gathering wild edibles, such as berries, bulbs, and potatoes, required a coordinated group effort. Throughout their hunting and gathering activities, First Nations created a system of trails as they walked and rode on horseback throughout the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges. These historic trails form a large portion of the present trail network in the South Chilcotin Mountain Provincial Park, and paved the way for new enterprises in the region throughout the twentieth century.
In the late 1880’s, British Columbia granted the province’s first guide outfitters territory in the Spruce Lake area of the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges. Since that time, the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges have been home to a number of guide outfitters. While there was an initial influx of foreigners to the province, today twenty-two First Nations throughout BC own guide outfitting territories. At a recent Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia summit for First Nations, Rick McLean, a former Tahltan Chief and guide outfitter, stated that guiding and the guide outfitters industry provided a way to preserve his Nation’s culture and their land based knowledge. The collaboration between First Nations and the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia on stewardship efforts and long-term responsible management of wildlife will become more crucial to the well-being of the environment as BC wilderness experiences increased recreational usage.
Today, visitors to the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges primarily participate in outdoor recreational activities. Kevan Bracewell is honoring the First Nations legacy in these mountains by leading guests along the very same trails that the Tsilhqot’in, St’at’imc, and Secwepemc Nations frequented hundreds of years ago. During these wilderness journeys, Kevan Bracewell and his team take guests along historic trails to locations like Eldorado Mountain, which was a known hunting site of First Nations. By sharing historic trails and promoting responsible land management, Kevan Bracewell helps ensure that the rich heritage of the First Nations in the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges will continue to live on for years to come.
Next steps…
Today, First Nations and the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia are continuing to strengthen and expand their collaborative stewardship efforts.
Ready to explore the storied First Nations trails of the South Chilcotin Mountain Ranges? Reserve your place on a wilderness horse pack trip through these historic mountains.
(https://www.wildernesstrails.ca/all-inclusive-vacations/wildlife-tracking-horse-pack-trips/)
Wilderness Stewardship Foundation:
https://wilderness.stewardship.foundation/
Stewardship Foundation:
https://www.stewardship.foundation/