Chilcotin (Tsilhqot'in)

Chilcotin, meaning "people of the red river," also refers to the Chilcotin Plateau region in British Columbia. The Chilcotin (Tsilhqot'in) First Nation are a DENE-(Athapaskan) speaking people numbering nearly 3500 (2010) who live between the Fraser River and the Coast Mountains in west-central BC. The territory of the Chilcotin includes most of the drainage of the Chilcotin River and the headwaters of the Homathko, Kliniklini and Dean Rivers flowing westward through the Coast range.

Early Economic and Social Systems

The Chilcotin traditional culture was similar to that of other Northern Athapaskan. Through most of the 19th century they were organized into autonomous bands. However, through much of the year, families moved about independently hunting, fishing and gathering roots and berries. There were leaders, some of whom were forceful, but the society was basically egalitarian and individuals and their families valued their autonomy. In late summer most families gathered along the rivers to fish the salmon runs. In midwinter they moved to sheltered locations, usually near lakes suitable for ice fishing, where they lived in shed-roofed houses or pit houses.

In 1808 Simon FRASER was the first European to encounter Chilcotin, in Shuswap territory along the west bank of the Fraser River. The HUDSON'S BAY CO established an outpost in Chilcotin territory in 1827 which was staffed intermittently until 1844. The Chilcotin resented the presence of these strangers in their territory and the post was not particularly successful. The Chilcotin had little contact with the influx of gold miners along the Fraser River in 1859-60, but they did suffer heavy population loss in a SMALLPOX epidemic shortly thereafter.

In 1861 a pack-train trail was established from the Bella Coola Valley through Chilcotin territory to the developing gold mine centres to the east, and work was begun on a wagon road from Bute Inlet to the interior. Resisting these intrusions, a small group of Chilcotin killed several workers on this road in the "Chilcotin uprising" in 1864. Five Chilcotin were eventually tried and executed for these killings.

Shortly after this, settlers began to establish farms and ranches west of the Fraser River. In 1882 Father Morice commenced missionary work among the Chilcotin and, in part under his urging, the bands established a permanent village. INDIAN RESERVES were created for the various bands between 1887 and 1904. Prior to this the Chilcotin had begun small-scale ranching and farming while continuing their traditional subsistence activities.

Contemporary Activities

During most of the 20th century the Chilcotin have combined traditional subsistence activities with work in the local Canadian economy, notably as ranch hands, but also in guiding and in the trapping industry. Logging and the decline in the natural resources that the Chilcotin have traditionally utilized have made adherence to traditional ways increasingly difficult. Despite this, Chilcotin retain a strong sense of social and political identity as they continue to struggle to maintain their Aboriginal rights and to negotiate for SELF-GOVERNMENT as the Tsilhqot'in Nation.

The Tsilhqot'in National Government is a tribal council that represents the Alexandria Band ('Esdilagh First Nation), Alexis Creek First Nation (Tsi Del Del), Stone Band (Yunesit'in First Nation), Tl'etinqox-t'in First Nation (Anaham Band), and the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation (Nemiah Band), which are located throughout the Chilcotin Plateau.

See also NATIVE PEOPLE: SUBARCTIC and general articles under NATIVE PEOPLE.

Author ROBERT B. LANE

Suggested Reading
J. Helm, ed, Handbook of North American Indians, vol 6: Subarctic (1981); J. Teit, "Notes on the Chilcotin Indians," American Museum of Natural History (1907).

Links to Other Sites
Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples
The website for the "Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples." Click on the links for feature articles about Canada's many multicultural communities, access to their extensive digital archives collection, learning modules, and much more. From "Multicultural Canada."

Languages of Canada
A comprehensive online database of languages currently in use in Canada. Also provides details about extinct languages. Check out the "language maps" for more information. Based on "Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition." From SIL International, a US website.

Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History
Solve some the "Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History." Learn about investigative techniques and Canadian history. From the University of Victoria.

Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) First Nations
A brief listing of communities in the Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) First Nations traditional territory. A Government of British Columbia website.

Tsilhqot'in
An online guide to the Tsilhqot'in language. From the First Peoples' Language Map of B.C. website.

First Voices: Xeni Gwet’in
A website dedicated to the Xeni Gwet’in people, one of the six Tsilhqot'in (people of the river) bands. Click on the links at the top of the page for images of their scenic territory. From the firstvoices.com website.

Tsilhqot'in National Government
The website for the Tsilhqot'in National Government, an association of autonomous member bands.

Xeni Gwet'in First Nation
Explore the territory, history, and culture of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nations people.

Friends of Nemaiah Valley: Xeni Gwet'in First Nation
A brief summary of the environmental stewardship programs developed by the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation in the Nemiah Valley area of British Columbia. Click on the links on the left side of the page for more information.