First Nations

In the NW quadrant (counter clockwise), all of the images come from the Stein valley, a reflection of the valley’s significance to all Nlaka’pamux and to commemorate the Nlaka’pamux success in the protection of the Stein Valley from being logged. The Stein valley was connected by mountains passes to other areas (Mount Currie, Skookumchuck and Squamish) and was a significant place in sptaqulh and recent histories. Annie York, an Nlaka’pamux knowledge keeper, thought that the valley was the place mentioned in sptaqulh where all the game were hidden.

The two animals depicted together refer to the plenty or wealth in the Stein and all the adjacent watersheds on the west side of the Fraser. The zig-zag pictograph though from the Stein is emblematic of all the valleys from Spuzzum north to Texas Creek, The mountain goat and bighorn sheep are emphasized as these animals are unique to Nlaka’pamux and other interior Indigenous nations. Deer are found everywhere and symbolized in the circle by the bow and arrow, an important tool used to hunt them.

The “zig-zaggy” imagery of the western half of the circle (referencing the old-style goat wool blankets) is also meant to symbolize the spiritual and economic value of the mountain goat in this area of the territory.

The NE quadrant feature a pictographs from Marble Canyon, TSipaank and Mount Savona referencing those places. Next, the SE quadrant references the Nicola and Similkameen Valleys.

The bottom of the circle represents the Hozomeen area while the SW quadrant represents the Fraser River canyon Nlaka’pamux.

Ash QUA.nshta a demEEwuh aksh ashQUA.nshch a.WEE

Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.

“What does the forest bear? Soil, water and pure air. Soil, water and pure air are the basis of our life.”  - Chipko Folk Song