Reprinted from the Monday, Oct. 28, 1991, issue of the Yellowhead Star.
North Thompson Indian Band (NTIB) members and guests gathered Sunday, Oct. 20, 1991, at Dunn Lake Bible Camp to revive traditional Shuswap salmon fishing practices.
Under tutelage of Louie Matthew and other Chu Chu elders, younger band members “had a try spearing fish” in the traditional way, and later cooked the fish around a fire. Fish remaining at the end of the meal was saved to share with other band elders thereafter.
The day’s events began at approximately 10 a.m., with NTIB Chief Nathan Matthew leading the gathering in a discussion of Aboriginal fishing in the traditional fashion and the revival of the Aboriginal right to fish.
“We wanted to do this small thing, to show the kids what used to happen,” one adult band member explained later.
Band members and guests, including Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Fred Jackson, also toured the Dunn Lake salmon hatchery installation operated by the NTIB and nearby lake pens currently containing an estimated 45,000 coho fry to be released next May.
Band members said they hope to repeat the day’s activities on a larger scale next year, and make the event an annual outing.
Band members also thanked Dunn Lake Bible Camp supervisor Lloyd Strickland for giving them permission to use the facilities for the day, and said they hoped all those attending “got something out of” the day’s events and would return next year for a “bigger and better” traditional fishing experience.
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*Editor’s note:
Since this article was printed in 1991, the North Thompson Indian Band has become the Simpcw First Nation (People of the Rivers), and the Dunn Lake salmon hatchery (established in 1983) has become the Dunn Creek Hatchery,remaining under the management of Simpcw.
Each year from mid-to-late October, the hatchery continues to welcome visitors from both Barriere and Clearwater schools. This is one of the longest-running traditions within the Simpcw community, with the hatchery hosting a “home cooked” lunch and showcasing the hatchery with various activities and exhibitions.
Simpcw also hosts an annual First Fish Ceremony, held at the Raft River Viewing Platform in Clearwater; inviting guests to participate in several activities that highlight Simpcw’s culture and history, including pit cooking, sockeye salmon viewing, storytelling and a traditional game called Lehal.
Learn more about the Simpcw First Nation by going to: https://www.simpcw.com/
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