Resources
Land Acknowledgement
The land here along the swift river sustains us. It calls us to remember those who have walked here before us. The people who call this home, whose ancestors cared for this land with stewardship and protocols of respect--Sinixt, Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx (Okanagan). With gratitude we reflect on our relationship with the land, conscious of how we live. When we speak or read land acknowledgements it is a small step towards reconciliation, a reminder that we are all responsible to do better in our relationships and in honoring the land. It is an opportunity to speak from our hearts, take a moment to feel our connection to the land and listen.
The Four Nations
There are four Nations that claim Revelstoke as part of their territory: the Sinixt, Secwépemc, Syilx (Okanagan) and Ktunaxa First Nations. Each of these Nations have a different relationship with this land..
The history of the Revelstoke region is problematic due to colonization and the forced movement and false extinction of the Sinixt Nation.
“Before the 1880s, the Sinixt – also known as the Lakes or Arrow Lakes people – lived and thrived in this region since as far back as they can remember. Skxikn (pronounced Sku-hee-kin), now known as the Big Eddy, was the site of a Sinixt village or camp and a place of trade and socialization with eastern Secwépemc people who often joined them as part of their seasonal rounds.”
We believe it is our responsibility to help share discussions around the history and future of the land and have compiled the following resources to help you on your learning journey. We strongly encourage you to learn more about the history of this land.
Useful Links
Revelstoke’s First People: Educational & Community Resources by Tourism Revelstoke
21 Things You Might Not Know About The Indian Act, Self-Guided Training
The Native Women’s Association of Canada’s National Apprenticeships Program
Language
n̓səl̓xcin (Sinixt Language)
Nsyilxcən (Syilx Okanagan Language)
Interior Salish Language Resources (including keyboard)
Books
Many of these titles can be purchased locally at the Revelstoke Museum & Archives or Fable Book Parlour:
Swift River by Laura Stovel
Geography of Memory by Eileen Delehanty Pearkes
Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way by Marilyn James and Taress Alexis (audio stories available here)
?a-kxam̓is q̓api qapsin’ (All Living Things) by Ktunaxa Tribal Council
Syilx Plants and Animal Guide by Krystal Withakay (spaxwawlm)
Articles of Interest
Seven Generations on this land by Laura Stovel
The Supreme Court recognizes Sinixt rights in Canada by Laura Stovel
The Narwhal by Stephanie Wood
When place names honoured the land by Laura Stovel
First Nations public acknowledgements by Melissa Jameson
What’s in a name? by Liam Harrap
The Saga of the “Extinct” Sinixt by Bob Keating